The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-11-22
THE KNIGHTS.
Delegate Barry's Expulsion From
the Knights of Labor Con-
tirmed by the Assembly.
Powderly Growing Stronger With
the Convention-The Order
Reported Bankrupt.

INDIANAPOLIS, November 17.-Almost
every industry of Importance in the
United States is represented at the
Knights of Labor general assembly now
being held in this city. Miners, Iron
workers and glass men, shoemakers,
printers, street corner business, teleg-
raphers and others are represented on the
| floor of the convention by those actively
engaged in these various occupations.
Aside from the general officers there are
, probably not more than six or eight
persons on the floor of the general as
sembly who draw regular pay from the
Knights of Labor, and, says Mr.. A. p.
Stephens, of Toledo, "Lhey earn every cent
they get"
Until late hour last night Thomas B
Barry and the committee on appeals and
grievances were holding meeting to-
gether. Mr.. Barry was heard at length
and the committee announced that the
whole matter would be brought on the
floor of the convention this morning.
This is one of the most important appeals
before the assembly, and its decision on
this is considered an indication as to the
success or failure of the order. Many
delegates express great confidence in the
outcome and intimate full belief in the
defeat of Barry. That gentlemen seems
to expect similar result, and he suggests
all manner of terrible disclosures.
The committee on the state of the order
got the floor ahead of the grievance COM
mittee this morning and the time was de-
voted to hearing Its reports. On recon-
mendation of this committee the treasurer
was ordered to pay delegates mileage on
the last day of the session at the rate of 4
cents a mile each way. In view of the
balance of 1888, reported as being in
the treasury, some fears have been ex-
pressed by outsiders that there would be
no money on hand to pay the mile
age. This morning it was announced
that $4,000 had been received
by the treasury since November 1, and of
the amount of 1886 was for new charters,
showing over twenty new assemblies with
in about two weeks. Representatives of
in case of need they had a fund from
which the general executive board could
draw as much as needed. D. A. 48, of
Cincinnati, offered $500 as a gift, and
others volunteered various sums, making
an aggregate of $1,000. Nearly every
delegate tried to make some offer, and by
so doing proved the error of certain news
paper stories regarding the bankrupted
condition of the order. Since this show
ing members are jubilant and are not
slow in showing their good feeling.
resolution had been introduced to the
effect that no action should be taken on
the question of immigration restriction.
This was adversely reported, and, after
lively debate, in which the question of
foreign immigration was pretty thoroughly
discussed, the committee report was
adopted. This settled the fact that the
general assembly wishes some action
taken looking toward the restriction of
foreign immigration, but just what
means will be taken to bring about
such a result cannot be predicted.
The subscription of money for payment
of mileage and other necessary expenses
was practically an endorsement of and
expression of confidence in the admins
tration, which indicates that the present
general master workman's advice will be
taken, and he will be urged to remain in
Office. 1t means that Mr.. Powderly has
the support of the majority, although the
minority is at work and opposing him.
At the afternoon session the committee
on appeals and grievances got the atten-
tion of the general assembly and reported
the celebrated Barry case. Thomas B.
Barry, of Michigan, member of the gem
eral executive board, was expelled from
the order by that board for villifying
reports about other members, claiming
T.V. Powderly and his close advisers
were corrupt, and by their mismanage-
ment were fast destroying the Knights Of
Labor as an organization. They reported
to the general assembly that the matter
was under consideration by the grievance
committee last night, and by unanimous
vote they decided in favor of the general
assembly this afternoon, and after long
debate, in which George Schilling, of
Chicago Mr.. Powderly, Hugh Cavanaugh
and many other able speakers participated,
and which was at times rather warm, but
for the most part in good temper, the
roll was called and the general executive
board was substituted by vote of 122 to
"a. 1t is claimed by various delegates
that these figures do not represent the
relative strength of the Barry and
Powderly forces, for of the twenty-four
they say not more than half a dozen are
actually Barry's close friends.
Others plea and argue that many
voted against the board for legal reasons,
and would support Powderly on dny ques-
ton OF policy.
This matter being settled and abundant
means being at the service of the order,
the delegates to night are feeling better
than early in the week. 1t is
clearly seen that Powderly is grow
ing stronger hourly, and will probably
meet with little opposition from the gen
eral assembly. Dark hints are dropped,
however, by members of the order of
some cases not mentioned, which will
cause more of stir than anything yet