Omaha daily bee., 1888-11-21
THE CONVENTION OF KNIGHTS
Considerable Business of Import
ance Transacted Yesterday.
THE CONSTITUTION AMENDED.
Barry Issue an Open Letter to
the Delegates, Reiterating His
Charges Against Powderly
and Others.
The knights of Labor.

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 20-At the session of
the knights of Labor general assembly to-
day the committee on laws submitted a re-
port amending section Is of article 3 of the
constitution so as TO provide that the elective
officers shall be the general master workman,
general worthy foreman, general secretary
treasurer and general director of woman's
work. The general executive board shall
consist of four members. besides the general
master workman, and the general CO.
operative board shall consist of two mem
bers besides the general worthy foreman.
All except the general executive board and
general cooperative board shall be taken
from the floor of the general assembly, and
when elected shall serve two years. This
action further provides that the general
worthy foreman shall be eX-of1icio chairman
of the general cooperative board.
A prolonged debate followed the introduc-
tion Of these amendments, but they were
adopted by more than a two-thirds vote.
The afternoon session was taken up by the
mint on law, with minor changes Of the
constitution. Contrary to the recommenda-
ton of Powderly, the time of meeting is UNI
changed, which is the first action yet taken
against his will. The general master work
mar shall hereafter fill all vacancies on the
board by appointment, this being a new
power added to the Office. 1t is now proper
for any member of the general executive
board to approve the report of the secretary
treasurer, although that was formerly per-
mitted only to the general master workman.
The general assembly so desiring, may here
after declare vacant any place on the board,
and it can do so without at the same time ex-
polling the officer so removed before appoint
ment. Organizers must pass a proper ex-
animation. This same committee reported
the approval of Powderly's dcnunciation Of
the provisional committee,
The mileage committee reported the total
mileage Of the general assembly to be 1872
800 miles, and the amount to be paid, 1888.
The greatest distance Travelled is by Dele
gate Delwaite, Of Belgium, whose mileage
reaches S,3l4 miles. BY a formal vote, all
decisions of General Master Workman Pow
derby since the general assembly of one year
ago, were approved.
AS the time Of election draws near the del
egates grow more Interested, and the hotel
Hobbies are crowded with busy groups dis
GUESSING the probabilities. Predictions might
be made. but further than that Powdorly will
be reelected they would be unreliable.
7. b. Barry tonight issued a formal open
letter to the delegates. He says: I'm vio-
lation of all law Of knighthood and justice,
you have denied me q tair trial or opportu-
nifty to be heard in my defense, and by your
action placed yourselves in full accord with
the unlawful and unwarranted action of the
general executive board, whom I had
charged with irregularities, and who,
being unable to answer my charges,
and fearing to meet me, resorted to all
ton and deny to me the right of a fair trial.
such as is guaranteed to every Knight of
Labor. Your action is contrary to oil law
and decency. You have outraged justice,
lowered your manhood and misrepresented
your constituents by your vote, and you de-
pend on false reports and burying your ac-
tions in silence on your return home, as has
been done after past sessions Of the general
assembly. This time your constituents will
be given the truth by those who have the
courage of their manhood. Since you have
refused to give me an opportunity to defend
myself, l will now publish a few of the
charges / made, and L defy you, or those
whom you sustained by your votes, to prove
them false"
He goes on to enumerate the charges
already published.
Mr.. Barry proposes to agitate until the
general assembly of the Knights of Labor
adiourns. He will then put out his organ
lzorss and look after the formation of his
new order, which will be called the Brother
hood of United Labor.
m