Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-17
Powderly,s Annual Report.

IKDIANAPoLIS, Nov. n.-General Master
Workman Powderly, in his annual report,
says:
''The year whose ending we witness at this
session has been the most trying and dis
couraging to those whose wish was to see the
harmonious blending of all classes of work
ers. With an executive board, whose men,
bers were not in harmony, and who Travelled
from place to place denouncing their fellow
officers, it could not be wondered that we
have lost in numbers.
IF my advice Is taken at the outset this
general assembly will frown down every at
tempt to disturb this season with chickering's
and recrinlinations. There has been no dis
honesty or attempt at it. If extravaganza
is discovered, fix the responsibility where it
belongs. Remember that upon the final
outcome of this session depends the future
Of the order.
"No session ever gathered in council with
s,ich responsibility. The general master
workman should have nothing TO do with
financial matters that are now in too many
hands The chief trouble with our order is
the lack of one-man power. Men have been
placed in Office with me with whom | would
not for a moment associate in private busi-
ness enterprise.
'The laws should give the master workman
power to render decisions, with an appeal to
the executive board, and from there to the
general assembly. l recommend changing
the time of meeting of the general assembly
to date not near the annual elections
mo one is better adapted to an investiga-
tion Of woman's work than the present gen
eral investigator.
"The amendment allowing the speedy
change of an existing law is unwise, danger
Gus and pernicious Scarcely had the gavel
fallen at Minneapolis than traitors hands
were raised against the work of yeers.
"a law should be passed at this meeting to
promptly and forever expel any member
guilty of such dastardly work. Let US at
once and forever put it beyond the power of
any man to fight this order or its principles
and remain member. Let them tear down
from the outside.
"The members of the International Work
ingmen's association have untiringly worked
for the ruin of this order l have no bit
terness for any one, but il the policy Of the
officers have not been in accord with the
principles of the order, let the assembly
voice the opinion of the order before ad.
journmeut"
There can be hardly any doubt but that
Powderly will choose the officers, and that
the executive board will be reduced to five.
Within the order there seems to be conf
dence and no fear for the future At no
time, it is said by delegates, has Powderly
had such hold over them as he has now
Retrenchments financially must be consd
cred, but the key of the situation is that
Powderly and oil would rather have
smaller order, provided that it is harmoni.
GUS, unit and free from cliques and conten-
ton than an unwieldly multitude divided
into factions.
The thinning out is going on and and
when it is done, all according to Powderly's
direction, the building up is to begin again
II possible.
Although committee work occupied most
of the time of the delegates TO the general
assembly, there is still considerable time for
gossip about matters of interest to the order.
Nearly every expression of opinion, how
ever, is stated with an "if," and that contin-
gent is Powderly's acceptance of the chief
office, which in turn depends on the action
that may he taken on his address
Unless favorable action is taken on certain
of his recommendations it is believed that
be will positively decline to serve. On the
other hand, If favorable action is taken and
the call is practically unanimous. it is be-
iieved he will accept. There is a general
feeling in his favor, and yet there are
enough differences of opinion as to methods
of reaching the same end as to make it
rather interesting.