The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-11-29
BARRYs CHARLES.
The X. of 4. Convention Decides to In
vest gate Thcm-knights In WranEie
National Amalgamafion Discussed.


Tho X. of 4. Convention Decides to In.
vest gate Them-knights In WranEi0
National AmalgamafIon Discussed.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Nov. % Soon after
the General Assembly Of Knights OF
Labor convened yesterday morning Mr..
Litchman took the floor and denied that
he had conniyed with any body to illegally
break up the Saginaw District Assembly,
rs Thomas b. Barry charges. At the time
referred to by Barry there were only four
local assemblies attached to that district.
As five was the minimum number consti-
tuting district assembly, he could not
have done otherwise than have revoked
the charter.
After Mr.. Litchman had about concluded
his statement Delegate Crowell. clerk in
the general Office at Philadelphia, created
q sensation By taking the floor and telling
a story very different from that Of Litch-
man. He said that he was told to demand
tho return OF the assembly's charter.
There appeared to be but few locals
in the district, but upon in
vestigation he found that there were
seven This agrees with Barry's state
ment. Mr.. Crowell called the attention Of
the chief clerk, Mr.. Rowland, to his dis
covery, but he gave it no heed, and told
him to go ahead and suspend the assembly
This led to a cross fire Of questions from
Litchman and answers from Crowell, who
made the delegates acquainted with
some secrets concerning the internal
affairs of the order. There was an effort
to rap Crowell down. but he would not
obey, and amid great confusion it was
moved that a committee of three be ap-
pointed to go to Philadelphia and investi-
gate every charge that had been made
against the gen raj officers. The dele-
gates became almost unmanageable, and
dozen resolutions and amendments were
offered in half as many minutes. Finally
Delegate Lewis, master workman of the
National District Assembly, comprising
the miners organization, moved that q
committee of three be appointed whose
duty it should be to telegraph at once to
some reputable lawyer in Philadelphia,
instructing him to Immediately take
charge of all the effects Of the order at
headquarters, including all books and
papers, and hold the same until the inves-
tigating committee could reach that city.
This resolution, in the nature OF an
amendment to Crowell's, was defeated.
Tho proposition to appoint an investi-
eating committee was carried by almost q
two thirds majority. The committee was
instructed to make a thorough inquiry as
to the business methods that have pre-
vailed at poverty palace" as Barry calls
the orders headquarters.
After this the assembly had another
long debate leading to confusion in many
resolutions and amendments as to the
manner Of selecting the committee. Pow
dcrly has that power but the delegates
wanted to take it away from him, and
when the assembly adjourned the ques-
tion was no nearer settlement than when
it was first hroached
At the beginning Of the afternoon ses
sion Lewis submitted, through the Com
mittee on the State of the Order, double
headed resolution providing that tho
charters of oil trades assemblies be re-
vokcd, and that q committee of i've be ap
pointed to attend the annual session OF the
Federation Of Trades to convene at St
Louis, December 5, and make overtures fol
the amalgamation Of the Knights Of Labo,
with the Federation.
The committee presenting reports there
on recommended that the first proposition
be not concurred in, and to the great sur
prise of the General Assembly advised The
passage Of the second. The first recon
mendation was adopted by about two
thirds majority. and then there was hall
to consider the other.
The renort called for a speech from Pow
derly. He was surprised, he said, tha,
the committee should submit such re
port. He had for long tine been looking
to future cooperation with the Federation
of Trades, but urged the inadyisability o1
the Knights making ovcrtures for an ANAL
gamation. Such q step would tell th'
world that the Knights could no longer
maintain an organization Of their own
and were desirous OF being taken under tn,
protecting wing of some other order
When the vote was taken the assembly
refused to adopt the report Of the commit
tee.
Another resolution Of q similar purpor'
has also been introduced by J. L. Lee, ma
tional master workman of the Railroad
Assembly, and he hopes for the ultimatt
union of all labor organizations. jus
how this shall be done is of less impor
tancc, in his mind, than that it be done o.
early as possible.
Mrs. L. NJ. Barry introduced q resolution
to place the General Assembly on record
as being in favor of compulsory education
and looking to the adoption of measure!
for agitation on the question.