The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-20
The knights aud the Miners.


The question concerning the relations Of the
miners and traies-unions with the knights
of Labor is to be renewed. 1t is recognized
that if these two important factors are elimina-
ted from tbs order it will lose much OF it's
strength. For some time the miners have been
considering the advisability Of going into one
organization, and many trades unions take thS
position that their condition would be improved
IL they should sever their connection with the
Knights. The mine laborers OF the country
are in two great organizations, National
District Assembly l35, organized IN
der the Knights OF Labor. and the
National Federation of Miners aud Mine Labor
ers. The last named organization will holds its
annual convention a. Columbus. c., beginning
the 9Th Of next month. and then. il at all. the
National District Assembly of Miners will pull
of from the X. of L., and join the federation.
As the national district has q bona fde member
ship Of over l6. 900. the consolidation would be
almost q death blow to the K. of L. General
Master Workman Powderly, seeing the ruinous
effect such action would be to his order.
several days ago mailed a secret cir
cular to every local assembly 10
the Miners National Assembly. urging them
to remain with the K. OF l.. Among other
things, he wrote: 81 am informed by Brother
Lewis that 10 all probability the Knights and
the federation would resolve 20 throw aside
Of miners. l write this that assemblies OF 80
may know what is being done. III 1t is their
wish to leave the X. of L. they should meet IN
their assemblies and pass resolutions 10 that
effect, and instruct their representatives what
to do in order to represent them properly. The
question Of deserving the K OF l.. should not he
left entirely to the officers. This order was not
built in a day, nor for chIlds play. Defeat and
disheartening failures have met the builders at
every step. but the work has progressed, and
the miners themselves know that every organ
ization TO which they have BELONGED has bad
the same discouragements Today the
prospects are that every bitterness OF the
past will vanish, ard il 10 not fair 20
these miners whom we represent TO ask OF
them TO step back again 70 the bottom of the
ladder and begin anew to build an organization
of that craft simply because the officers differ as
TO methods The same troubles will face the
miners in or out of the X. of i. If q new organ
ization is formed il will have TO fight its way to
where the X OF L. now stands. IL will have TO
seek for recognition as we have done. i send
this 80 that the OF miners throughout
the country may have opportunity TO let me
know whore they stand previous to the conven-
ing OF the indianapolis convention. Let me
know whether the proposition has been squarely
ubmitted for your action. II there il any par
~ NAc
10 the miners, let me know what IL is. If there
is an amendment desired, let me know what IT
is, and At the General Assembly the matter will
receive fair and just consideration"
One OF these circulars accidentally fell into
the hands of Master Workman Lewis, OF the
national district assembly No. 10. who 10 here
as a delegate. and is urging the adyisaoihty OF
the miners Withdrawing from the
X. OF L. He was not IN n
pleasant mood over Powderiy's interfrrencs
with his plans, and yesterday wrote two letters
In reply. One was addressed 70 Mr.. Powderly.
and the other 20 the local assemblies of No. l35.
In his letter to Powdsrly he wrote: Too well
you know that the majority have gone. aud
they have not met in and adopted
resolutions 10 that effect. They went out in
diyidually. silentiy, Us they came in. and IL 10
only known they have gone when the qsarteriy
returns are made. Those who have gone had
good reasons for their action. and those who re-
main are hoping against hope for something
from this order"
Mr.. Levi. directs Powderlyis attention 20 the
district council by ID. A. 10, when lack of organ
ization forced the miners OF Lehigh and Schuyl-
kill 10 work last winter. There are about 40. 600
miners there, pus out Of that number u - -