New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-11-28
Trouble in the Knightsea sLsbor.

That Mr. Powderly' s is the ruling mind in
the general assembly at Indianapolis, has
been evident for some time The lone nan
power" advocated by him in liz annual adj
dress is having its effect Sectios.I5 ofarticle
3 .of the constitution was amended by the
eommittee 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
shall consist of two members besides the
general worthy foreman. But the place
where PoWderly's influence most appears is
in section Is of the same article, which
shall hereafter provide that the general
master workman shall be chairman ex-officlo
of the general executive board, and shall as
soon as practicable, submit to the general
assembly the names ofeight persons, eligible
under the constitution, from which the gem
eral assembly shall select four members; this
shall be d0nesa soon as possible, and at the
same session at which the general master
workman is elected. The reporto of the COM
mlttee was adopted by more than the re-
quired two-tkirds majority.
Il. b. Barry issued a formal opinion letter to
delegates He says:
In violation of all law of knighthood and
Justice, have been denied a fair trial or an
opportunity to be heard in my defense, and
you'll your action placed yourself in full ac-
cord with the unlawful and unwarranted ac-
ton OF the general board, who, being I'M
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
traFy to all law and deeency. You have out
rageG justice, lowered your manhood and
misrepresented your constituents by your
vote and false reports and burying your ac-
tlons 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 defy you or those whom you assist by
your vote to prove them false. | will prove
from documents and witnesses the correct
ness OF my statements, and uncover the
mask OF sham reform from the Designing
8hypocrites who arenow deceiving humanity.
can prove that $3.50 of poverty's
money was paid Tom O'Reilly on the order of
z. v. 2 oWderly and John w. Hayes. when
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 office 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 oflabor? 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 oyerwork, and has a standing notice
inserted in the Journal, mott
flying the order not to annoy him with letters
or invitations to lecturers etc. The treas
urer's report shows an expenditure of 5000
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 flaw 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 | will
say, in view of these facts, and others which 1
might enumerate, you must appreciate your
position. T. B. BARRY