The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-16
TORN BYCIVIL WAR
Powderly Accounts for the
Knights Disasters.
ALL CAME ny DIsoBEDIENcE.
The Master Workman PassienaseIy
Attacks All who Have Crit
icised His DEGREES.
ALL CAME ny pIsoBKDIEScE.

Attacks All who Have Crit
iefsed His DEGREES.
INDIANAPOLIS. Nov. IS-ThIs mornings
session Of the Knights Of Labor consen-
ton was devoted to further reports and
routine business. Only two reports were
heard II the morning session, both heing
very long. On account of certain little
unnecessary formalties having been over
looked. Poaderiy's report was held until
afternoon. LitchEan's report was in
manuscript but was held back for the
same reason. The general master wo.k-
msn's report began As follows: For Is
years the order OF the Knights Of
Labor has maintained its existence
In the face Of circumstances most
discouraging and dishea-fening. strug-
Cling forward ii It's infancy
beneath the veil OF secrecy, il met with OPP
position from these IN whose sehalf II Goa
tended. Later ON it faced the world,
an advocate Of Justice for the poor.
and found all who were the enemies
OF The oppressed arrayed against
It. In all these years il has had TO
brave the faunts OF many " hose interests
It served. Since the adoption of the decla-
ration of principles, 10 sears ago, this
order has had the opposition of all VINO
despIsed their principles. but the war
whose ending we witness al this session
has been the most trying and discouraging
to those whose wish was to see haruloui-
Gus blending Of all workers with the
Knights.
CAUSES OF THE ORDERS DECAY.
Many causes baye combined TO reduce
the number who swore allegiance 70 the
Knights Of Labor. The circulation OF false
statements concerning the strength of the
order croye away thousands who regarded
quantity IS superior to quality in the
makeup of the membership of q labor
organization. when the word went forth
frsm the enemies' quarters that oar num-
hers were dropping down, those members
who looked TO Others for what they should
do themselves dropped ont.
Also, when divergence OF opinion be-
tween the general officers became heraided
by those who always magnify them. these
members who looked for unity among the
officers, instead of doing their day b.
waiting until they could replace these or
GERS with others, withdrew from the order
temporarily. The story so often circulated
and so wonderfully maguifed OF the ex-
travaganee OF the general officers, fright
ened Others. and these, too, stood still
until this session would assemble.
In the ranks were men whose love of self
predominated, whose selfish desires could
not be suppressed FOR the common veal.
and on no occasion would they consent to
sink self for the good Of all The oft-told
history Of their grievances sickened and
drove many from the order. With an exc
eutive board whose members were not in
harmony with each other, who travelled
from place 10 place denouncing their
fellow-oiiieers and condemuing the actions
OF those who were not responsible, IL could
not be wondered that we lost numbers.
IF..wwr ra~-. aa-el 4a.A -
into against the laws and principles of the
Knights of Labor, swept thousands into
poverty and forced them from the order,
and 20 ali these causes, add the campaign
which has just closed In the United States,
| In which members Were pitted against
each other on n question which never was
made a part of the declaration of princi-
Piles, aud on which they could very well
afford TO differ without differing on any
point In the laws or rules of the order, and
we wonder, not that there has been fall
ing OF. but that we have passed through
the crucial test with ranks unbroker, as
we find them to-day"
FINANCIAL MATTERS.
He states that these trials resulted in
good for the order, and denies anything
Ike osicisl dishonesty, inviting thor
ough examination of all books and ae-
counts. Many changes are desired In the
constitution. So as 10 avoid changes that
are recommended at each season, he re-
commcnds the total abolition OF the sec
tions which provide for the appointment
of examining organizers The law as
at present framed is dead letter. An ex-
animation of sections - and % win show
that in addition 10 his other duties the
general master workman Is required to ex-
anime the statement of expenses as re
ported by the general secretary. The
treasury department should be held re
sponsible for all moneys passing through
its channels. and the general treasurer
should be vested with the veto power SO
far as delaying the payment OF bills con
cerning which he is In doubt Al present
he thinks financial affairs are entrusted to
too many hands. A responsible party
should be entrusted with the management
Of finances.
THE aoNARcHicAL SYSTEM DEFENDED.
After speaking OF the high estimation in
which the order is held by many outside
Of IL, and showing the multiplicity OF detail
he must look after, he continues
"Me have been treated to many dis
courses during the past year on the subject
of oDe-man power. our power has been
divided in the past, and il has worked In
jury to rs. The will of this order, crystal
ixed into law and imprinted upon the
pages OF cur constitution by the representa-
ifves here assembled, should be
this duty is assigned one msn
TO execute these laws where many exc
cute the laws they fail. Where each man
inierpreis the law for himself there is sure
ts he babel Of sound aud confusion.
Vested in one man. his power allows no
interference with that man in the perform
ance Of duty. and you may expect good
results Allow every seitsceker. every
knave, every disturher CT fAult-fndsT to
interpret the laws, and We have anarchy
pure aud simple.
s-randering 10 ignorance hy some has
given rise 10 iae impression that She man
who rallied against ouem man power was
friend 10 the masses. No greater mistake
was ever msde. The man who tells peO-
pie they G. an sll act INDEPENDENTLY OF orc
another on every issue that arises. aud do
il intelliFently, Is demaEogue. The Peo-
pie must determine not what one man
wants bat " bat il best for }. When they
meet many cherished theories meSi
give was 10 practical ideas. aud when these
are enacted into law and intrasied to the
hand OF enc mau. every hand should be
stretched forth 20 aid that one man 10
carry cut the viii OF ali, rather than TO
have. a. I have had - many hands
stretched forth to deny the authority that
your predecessors assigned 10 ne.
rEUcrLESr ATTACK on THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD.
eMen have been placed In osiicc with me
with whom / would not for moment as
scciste in private or business enterprise
the good that might follow. siieuce and
forhesraace under the circumstances have
been observed by me. Fancy the ceBdi-
ton which the unitc4 colonies would have
found themselves ia had the frst 10 resrs
of the goyegnment 0f ihe United states
been delegated to such men nS ] describe,
and The interest OF thc s. .to1. go Of that day
were no greater than those that were
placed IN The keeuing ef the general exec
utiye board OF the Knights OF Labor.
LAND AND TRANSPORTATION.
After remarking the influence OF the
order on public opinion, ne takes up pend
ing Questions. saying TIE most Ia
portsat questions that csa come up before
this hosfy for consideration are i1ess q
finance. land and transportation. These
auessio.s are up before the people for dis
cussioa and solution They mast be set
tied hy the neopie II Is not tue Interest of
nniiticiaas 70 do -. Those who cost--i
our public highways are reaching oat
with hand Of steel 10 gFaSp saa control
the government Itself. ana il is n.
deed battle - supremacy. II
the masses remain idle and Indifferent the
classes viii rule through the power Hhsea
comes TO them throaga the banking. Tati-
way and land ncnopoli-s- IL is = Gafg
which We sAcala 10; neglect 10 select Eke
questions which / have polnied cut. asld
place them prominently before oar Taern-
hers for discussion. Hs recommends tAAt
q special committee Of three &c appointed
to take UP the matter. He advocates a
ss-,r,s-r-.sfars tff tstfsrsses on these ones