The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-22
POWDERLY WEAKENS
He Seems to Be Somewhat Crushed.
The Inquiry Into the Saginaw Trou-
bio Not Encouraging,
And in the Resolutions Voted Upon
Powderly's Majority
Fails to Materialize at q lime
When 1t Is Most Needed.
Barry and the Discontents Stirred to
Enthusiasm by the Developments
OF the Day-Barry Makes An
other Statement.


~. 1NDIAYAroLIs, Ind, Nov. 21.-An un-
!. read communication from Philadelphia 10
the General Assembly of the Knights of
Labor regarding Barry's charge that Dis
trict Assembly No. "a OF East Saginaw.
Mich, had been dissolved to defeat Barry,
caused the introduction and adoption of a
motion for theappointmento Of committee
to investigate the methods Of the general
Offices. This action was taken after good
deal OF debate, and then a still more
troublesome question arose as TO who
should appoint the committee. Powderly,
being one OF those who would be inycsii-
gated, refused to take the responsibility.
IL was suggested that he appoint one, that
another be appointed by w. T.. Lewis, Of
the Miners Assembly, who is regarded rs
Iowderly's chief opponent, and that the
third member be selected by those two,
but the suggestion was not adopted
Tho remark that Barry appoint
the committee caused some laughter,
but II was not considered fur.
ther, This investigating committee
will be appointed but the method OF ap-
pointment has not yet been decided upon.
The Committee on Law brought in report
ON various matters Of interest 20 the order.
generally giving adverse advice on pro-
posals handed in, and the report was
adopted. y proposition 20 organize cen
trail councils in cities having a number of
district assemblies was referred 10 a special
committee, Of which J. W. Randolph, n
colored delegate from Mississippi, is chair.
man. discussion arose over the report
oi ineNpedicncy on proposition that local
assemblies agree with trades unions re-
garding q scale Oswagcs, but as il was held
that the local assemblies already held ali
power in the case no further action was
taken.
The election Of officers is still being made
subject OF talk. as il may come up at any
time, but there is nothing new in Il.
As the more complete story OF the
morning session came out later In the
afternoon, II appeared that there had been
much warmer time and more opposition
TO Powderly than had appeared on the
hoor oil the General Assembly nj any
time since the convention was called 10
ORDER little morc than n week ago. The
opponents Of the administration seized an
unexpected opportunity TO make point
and made the best OF IL. The denial OF
Bany's charge Of improperly in dissoly.
ing District Assembly No. -, OF Saginaw.
Mich, was made by cx-Sccrctary Itch.
man, on whom the charge reflected. Mr..
litchman secured formal denial from
the Philadelphia office, and with this took
thc iloor in his own defense. lie claimed
that there were hut four locals in the Dis.
trict Assembly when he took away ts
charter, while five Is the minimum al.
lowed for such organizations; and he fur.
ther stated that he knew Of no attempt TO
wipe out the district because Il WIS sup
posed 10 be favorable to Barry.
Immediately Delegate Crowcll, who Is
In the head Office at Philadelphia, took the
floor and stated that he had been ordered
10 demand the return Of the charter Of the
said district, and that there appeared 10 be
but four local assemblies, rs had been
stated by Mr.. Litchman. However. upon
investigation he discovered that there wcrc
actually seven, and he added: II called
the attention Of the head clerk, Mr. Row.
land, TO this fact, but hc gave Il no heed"
Mr.. litchman at once asked: "If INV
head clerk gave II no attention, why did
not Yen come 10 me with the iacl.Y"
" Because, replied Mr.. Crowcll, clerks
In the general office are not permitted 10
approach general officers nj al, and even
head clerks arc not allowed 10 talk 20 gen.
eral officers except NJ certain hours"
This disclosure was followed by othcrs
--Syen more disiastciul 30 powderly's friends.
Cfogcll being ready for every question and
answering In manner not at all satiffyinp
10 the qucstionor. lie finally moved the
appointment OF committee OF three 10
proceed at once 10 Philadelphia 10 inycsii-
cato the charges made. Various amend.
menis were offered, ~ has been already
stated. W. I. Lewis Of Pittsburg. master
workman Of the Miners Assembly, and
chief opponent In the convention Of Mr.
iowdofly, took leading part aud dc.
manded the immediate appointment Of
the committee, and that tclcgmphic or
der Ia take charge Of all books IN the gen.
era office be ielegraphcd 10 soinr rcputa.
bic Philadelphia lawyer. His motion 90
that effect was defeated. The motion 10
appoint the committee carried, but, as al.
ready stated, no way 10 appoint IL was
adopted. As substitute Tor the many
suggested amendments Il was moved that
the incoming General Executive Bolrd
take charge Of the matter. Tlls brought
The matter down 10 a quesii. whether |
P0wdcrly and his friends or his op. |
poncnis should appoint tho commit |
tee, and the test vote was anxiously |
noticed. The motion was lost by a |
vote OF fifty 10 fity-two. II was close \
fight, aud iof once The administration ma. |
jodiy did not matcrializc. However, as |
tho loio shows, all the delegates 4 i0) were |
not present, and 10 close vote might not |
be had ON another occasion. Still, Mr.. /
Barry .nd bis friends arr somewhat ex. |
hilcudcd ov-' the result. The refusal Of |
the General Asso ubly 10 I. he action on |
the proposition that local assemblies DO I
not accept a lower scale of wages than dc. |
mandcl 10y the trades unions occasJneu |
some disappointment 10 thosc delegates /
who are members Of trades assemblies. |
They wished 10 strengthen tho rciailons /
between the two organizations, and cx. /
press lhs far that tlis will have an ad. /
vcrsc eject. They say nothing mrs been /
yc. accomplished by the convention 10 i'm. |
prove the relations bctWlen tie two |
orders, and miny bth.yo that at lsa.t a |
portion OF the ifstcs uni1nis.s, includilg .
The miners, will .issoit the Knights OF |
labor. On The other hand, there "a a illm /
belief In powdcrly's ability 90 lead tho /
order safely out of al its troubles. Tho !
work o. this convent On will Ec.tlo whether /
tie inincu, o. whom there are many |
lhoufanl kt IL .ir mct ing Two wcoka |