The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-11-29
TresbIe in the Knishts Of Labor.

That Mr.. Powderly's is the ruling mind in
the general assembly at Indianapolis, has
been evident for some time. The zone man
power" advocated by him in.his annual ad-
dress is having it's effect. Section Is ofarticle
of the constitution was amended by the
committee to provide that the elective Offices
shall be general master workman, general
worthy foreman, general secretary treasurer,
general director of woman's work; the gem
eral executive board shall consist of four
members besides the general master work
man, and the general cooperative board
general worthy foreman. But the place
where Powderly's influence most appears is
in section 16 of the. same article, which
shall hereafter provide that the general
master workman shall be chairman ex-oficio
of the general executive board, and shall, as
soon as practicable, submit to the general
assembly the names of eight persons, eligible
under the constitution, from which the gen.
eral assembly shall select four members; this
shall be done as soon as possible, and at the
same session at which the general master
workman is eleted. The report of the COM
mittee was adopted by moro than the re-
quired two-thirds majority.
T. B. Barry issued formal opinion letter to
delegates He says:
In violation of all law of knighthood and
Justice, have been denied fair trial or an
opportunity to be heard in my defense, and
you by your action placed yourself in full ac-
cord with the unlawful and unwarranted ac-
tion of the general board who, being un-
able to answer my charges and fearing to
meet me, resorted to all manner of intrigue
to override the constitution and deny me the
right of q fair trial such as guaranteed to
every Knight of Labor. Your action is con-
trary to oil law and decency. You have out
ragged justice, lowered your manhood and
misrepresented your constituents by your
vote and 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 oftheir manhood. Since you have
refused to give me an opportunity to defend
myself, will now publish all former charges
and l defy you or those whom you assist by
your vote to prove them false l will prove
from documents and witnesses the correct
ness of my statements, and uncover the
mask of sham reform from the Designing
hypocrites who are now deceiving humanity.
| can prove that $l,25O OF poverty's
money was paid Tom O'Reilly on the order of
T. v. Powderly and John w. Hayes, when
he was not in the employ of, nor had he rem
dered service to the knowledge of.the general
officers. lean prove that from 10 to IA per
sons. who were not members of any
union, were employed at the general ONCE OF
the general executive board and journal de-
partment and that 10 or more knights of
Labor were discharged. Various similar
charges were here enumerated). Can Mr.. Pow
derly or any of his friends name strike or
lockout that was ever settled by him in the in
terests of labor? Volumes might be written
of the defeats of labor undertakings through
his cowardice or treachery. He has given
much buncombe to the order about
his overwork, and has standing notice
inserted in the Journal, noti-
flying the order not to annoy him with letters
or invitations to lecturers, etc. The treas
urers report shows an expenditure of $9650
by the general master workman for postage.
Granting that all the matter sent out from
his Office was by letters, it shows the amount
of work performed by him or his clerk was
less than 16 letters per day. John w. Hayes
informed me that .'Terry had completed his
studies of law and could be admitted to the
bar at any time he made application, and he
was now studying the languages" No
doubt, after his studies oflanguages are COM
pleted, the social problem will be solved for
him if not for poverty, who foots the bill.
In conclusion to the representatives l will
say, in view of these facts, and others which
might enumerate, you must appreciate your
position. T. B. BARRY.