The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-04-07
NO MORE STRIKES.

Master Workman Powderly issues a
long manifesto to the Knights of Labor
In which he earnestly requests that
education be made the future motto OF
the order and that strikes be entirely
done away with. Mr.. PowderlY confesseS
that the knights OF Labor strikes have
never been successful ana that the tlnle
TO call a halt has arrived. He says:
"What combination of hungry men
could fight a battle against a comblna-
ton of dollars? When a workman
ceases TO earn money his stomach feels
IL, and unless charity is given he
starves. If cur membership of 800 1000
10 instructed in the full meeting OF the
precepts of the Knights OF Labor we
will do q work which all the strikes OF
ages, had they all proved successful,
could not do. Educate our people ;
teach them what it is that causes de-
pressions; teach them what is contained
In our preamble; have them discuss 1t,
sitting out that which is good III 1t and
exchanging that which Is not so good
for something better. How will this
be donel Not by sitting down until
the very life blood OF labor is drawn TO
the last drop. We must have legisla,
ton which will compel individuals II
cornoratious TO transact business on q
basis of real property, dollars u
cents. instead of what the world calls
paper credit or fictitious values. How
can this be done? BY whom Will 1t be
done2 Not by strikes; not by wasting
unr energies on the line of abuse Of
each other. 1t cannot be done by men
who have no higher conception OF
Knigbthood and citizenship han to
exposet themselves and families TO the
pangs OF hunger
SUICIDAL STRIKES.
II IL argued that the strikes do good.
So does a Dire. Strikes do goodF TO
to the coal fields of Pennsylvania and
connt the victims; go through the
Lehi4h regions and count the suffer
org. 90 into the homes OF the brave,
heroic men who waged he unequal
hattie and ask Of the wives and child
rem YOU will find there II strikes DO
GOOD and note the answer; let the ones
who have felt the psngs OF hunger tes-
iify. Do moi go 10 those who, stand
ing far from the scene OF the conflict
will saw strikes do good. Unfortunate
Nv for labor, men in position are prone
IN Weld to clamor too easily.
HWben a committee of enthusiastic
man wait OH the head of a labor society
and saw we must strike now or never,
onr chances are good, we will win III II
geek. and the man who opposes us Is Il
coward, he is apt 20 yield and give con
semi " hen be has nothing else to give
The general master workman has re-
ceivea his share of the censure tor not
encouraging certain strikes. he never
did n strike, and never vii
do 40. nor will he ever vote to order "
strike until every known remedy shorj
of a surrender OF the manhood OF The
man engaged, has been tried. Was III
,ioht2 l. he right We have ha'
str,kes after strikes, and what gooC
Rave n a done. Here ia an illustra
ton. A mar is receiving 81 % a day
He wants a ten per cent. advance
which would raise his wages TO ~ 20
day. His demand is refused ana M
stops work, remains out a Nv
three or four months-and then returns
no work at the old figures. AT the en'
of the first month he has Lost III wage
at 81 so IA day, averaging twenty-sl'
working days to the month just Soo
At the end OF two months $50; al lh'
end of three months $l95, and NJ tn
end of the fourth month $3.50. VIVA
has be gainedr Nothing"
MIR. Powderly requests that ever
Local assembly hold meetings at one
and vote on the following question
and send the answer to him
/. Does our assembly believe in en-
caring at once upon an active educ''
tionaI campaign?
2. Do you believe we should sem
o,, brothers to teach III
principles Of the ORDER ,
8. Shall the genera! master WORK