The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-11-22
THE LTVLIEST DAY
OF All the Session Of the K. Of
L. General Assembly.
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
To be Appointed to Look Into the
Charges Against the Manage
ment of the General oGlccs.
Committee Not Named.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Nov. 2l.-An un.
read communication from Philadelphia
to the General Assembly OF the knights
of Labor regarding Barry's charge that
District Assembly "A, of East Saginaw,
Mich, had been dissolved to defeat
Barry, caused the introduction and
adoption of a motion for the appoint
ment OF committee to investigate the
methods of the General Officers. This
action was taken after a good deal of de-
bate, and then still more troublesome
question arose as to who should appoint
the committee. Powderly being one Of
those who would be investigated, refused
to take the responsibility. 1t was sug-
gested that he appoint one, that another
be appointed by W. T. Lewis, of the
Miners Assembly, who is regarded as
Powderly's chief opponent, and that the
third member be selected by those two.
but the suggestion was not adopted.
The remark that Barry appoint the COM
mittee caused some laughter. but was
not considered further. This investiga-
ting committee will be appointed, but
the method of appointment has not yet
been decided upon.
The Committee on Law brought in
report on various matters OF interest to
the order generally, giving adverse ad.
vice on proposals handed in and the re-
port was adopted. A proposition to or
ganize central councils in cities having
a number OF district assemblies, was re-
ferred to u special committee, of which
J. W. Randolph (colored), from Aiissis.
sippi, is Chairman. A discussion arose
over the report OF inexpediency on a
proposition that local assemblies agree
with trades unions regarding scale Of
wages, but as it was held that the local
assemblies already held all power in the
case. no further action,was taken. The
election of officers is still being made
subject OF talk, as it may come up at any
time, but there is nothing new in it.
As the complete story OF the morning
session came out late in the afternoon,
it appeared that there had been much
warmer time and more opposition to
Powderly than had appeared on the floor
OF the General Assembly .at any time.
since The convention was called To order,
u little more than a week ago. The op.
ponents OF the administration seized an
unexpected opportunity to make point
and made the most OF it. The denial OF
Barry's charge OF improperly in dissolv-
ing District Assembly "a, Of East Sagi-
nav, Mich, was made by ex.Secretary
Litchman, on whom that charge re-
flected. Mr.. Litchman secured a
former denial from tho Philadel-
phia office, and with this took the
floor in his own defense. Ho claim.
ed that there were but four
locals in the district when he took away
its charter, while five is the minemum
allowed for such organizations, and hG
further stated that he knew of no at
tempt to wipe out the district because it
was supposed to be favorable to Barry.
Immediately Delegate Crowell, who is
clerk OF the head Office at Philadelphia,
took the floor and stated that he had
been ordered to demand the return OF
the charter OF the said district, and that
there appeared to be but four local as
semblies, us had been stated by Mr.
Litchman. However, upon investiga-
ton, he discovered that there were
actually seven, and he added, II called
the attention OF the head clerk, Mr..
Rowland, to this fact, but he gave it no
heed"
Mr.. Litchman at once asked, "If the
head clerk gave it no attention why did
you not come to me with the facts?"
iBecause," replied Mr.. Crowell, "clerks
in the general Office are not permitted to
approach the general officers at all, and
even head clerks are not allowed to talk
to general officers, except at certain
hours"
This disclosure was followed by others
even more distasteiul to Powderly's
friends, Crowell being ready for every
question, and answering it in manner
not Mt ali satisfactory to the questioner.
He finally moved tile appointment Of a
committee OF three to proceed at once to
Philadelphia to investigate the charges
made. Various amendments were offer
ed, as has already been stated.
The work OF this convention will set
tie whether the miners, OF whom there
are many thousands, at their meeting at
Columbus, Ohio, will remain with the
Knights OF Labor or organize new and
independent lodge. In fact, the consol-
idation OF all labor organizations, at
least their co operation, is the one aim
and work OF a strong minority OF this
convention. This appeared at the after.
noon session, when the Committee on
the State OF the Order reported favora-
bly, on double resolution, which the
convention acted on in sections. The
first portion OF this resolution provided
that the charters OF all Trades Assem-
blies be revoked, and it was at once neg.
atiyed.
The other portion was to the effect
that committee Of five be appointed TO
wait upon the Federation Of Trades at
their meeting at st. Louis, December 8,
to cohaider proposals for the amalgama-
ton OF the two orders. This resolution
brought on discussion in which it was
developed that amalgamation was not
desired.
Ex-secretary Litchman defined the
word amalgamation and expressed him
self strongly opposed to it.
INIpnuTCTS Ipupp pAWnpprV