Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-06-11
THE LABOR QUESTION.
General Assembly Of the Knights
of Labor,
A Detailed Report


representing all sections of the country.
The convention was called to order by
the chief executive.
Everything was done in secret and all the
proceedings came TO the newspaper press
through a committee of knights appointed
for that purpose.
In the afternoon the general assembly
took recess for the purpose of giving
Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge of Ravenna,
Ohio, recording secretary of the National
Woman's Christian Temperance union an
opportunity to address them. She read a
letter urging strict compliance with the
rule prohibiting the admission of saloon
keepers to the order, and commended
them for seeking to obtain equal pay for
equal work for women.
Edwin Norton, "a Chicago manufactur-
er, read paper on the formation of an
employers association. It's object would
be TO treat with labor unions in all
questions between employer and en-
ployed.
The conference between the committee
composed of trades unionists and knights
of labor was highly satisfactory. The
ed by them in Philadelphia for solution
of the difficulties existing between the
two orders.
But little was accomplished the first day
of the convention, the session being occu-
pied in approving credentials and other
routine matters.
The first business OF the morning session
on the second day was the acceptance Of
the report of the committee on credentials.
The new delegates were then admitted to
the hall and the obligation administered.
Delegates were admitted only from such
districts as were represented at the con-
yention held last year in Hamilton, Ont,
this being special session of that general
assembly, and districts since instituted
not being eligible to membership in the
existing body.
Mr.. Powderly's address was then deliv-
cred extemporaneously,s showing the neces-
sity of special legislation to meet the new
issues that have been thrust upon the or
der by its rapid increase in membership
and power for good or evil, according as
to whether wise counsels prevail or each
/ locality be allowed to work according to
its own pleasure. Particularly was he
severe on the abuse of the name Of the
order in using it for strikes and boycotts.
Not that all strikes and boycotts were UNI
iustifable, but that many were started
without just cause or any hope of success.
Besides boycotts and strikes. the conven-
ton had to deal with the matter of the
trades unions and knights OF labor. There
was going TO be 10 conflict between these
organizations. Each had a mission, and
though that of the h. of j.. was higher and
uobler, yet with wise legislation i plan of
action could be evolved agreeable to all
concerned
a committee to watch national legisla-
ton is necessary, not SO much TO have new
laws passed as to prevent new laws being
enacted. Let labor alone and labor will
, take care of itself Whether or not the
powers OF the executive board should be
enlarged is a matter for the special session
to decide, but something must be done inn
mcdately TO hold in restraint and subject
to discipline those who enter the order for
the sole purpose of starting strikes and
promulgating boycotts. "One thing can
be said for this legislative body said Mr.
Powderly. "No delegate has bought his
seat on this floor. Would that the same
could be said Of our national legislators
The throwing of bombs is horrible, but is
it not horrible TO give corporate greed the
power TO kill by slow starvation men,
women and childreni To give railroads
and other corporations the power TO rob
tabor, regardless of all justice! Powderly
gave the convention to understand that
he was not Il candidate for any legislative
position, either as congressman or govern
or. $50 long aS | am at the head Of the X.
of L. shall decline any and all overtures'
from any and all parties, for to do other
wise viii be TO be accused of using the or
der for my own aggrandizement.n
In closing he recommended the appoint
mentof committees TO take under considera-
ton the subjects of strikes and boycotts the
relation OF the knights to trade organiza-
tions: the changes that are necessary in
the laws of the order, and the general
state of the order. This was Immediately
done The committees on the same sub
iect at the last session of the order in
Hamilton in SO far as possible are being
chosen.
At the close of his address Mr. Powderly
appointed standing committees of five up
on each Of the following subjects: Laws,
strikes, boycotts, relation of Knights of
Labor to other organizations. a special
committee of five was appointed to whom
was referred the address of the President
and Secretary of the National Woman S
Christian Temperance Union. commit
tee of five was also selected to take action
upon the matter of the organization OF
the American Manufacturers Union as
proposed by Mr.. Edwin Norton.
At O'Clock the convention took a re-
cess until s O'Clock Thursday morning, 50
as to give ample time to the committee tc
do the work laid before them.
AT the appointed time on Thursday, the
9th, the assembly began its labors. The
committee on laws presented O
partial report embodying number oil
propositions, only one of which was taken
h. In