The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-29

cause of labor and who refuse to support
individuals or a ring that would prostitute
the movement to their own selfish ends,
have left the order. Districts have dis
solved, locals have lapsed and individual
members have withdrawn their support.
cat the Richmond session OF the gen
eral assembly the report showed 702, 600
members. At Minneapolis the figures
were 4S3, 900; on the first day OF the pres.
ent month the books OF The general sec
rotary show less than 2l0 900 members in
the order, showing loss OF more than
one-half OF the membership since the
last general assembly. Further the de-
pletion seems TO have only begun, and the
indications are that the grand organization
which numbered 7O2, 00O sons and dough.
tiers of toll in 1886 will be reduced TO less
than one-fith Of that number ut the next
session of the general assembly
"The revenue at the present time is not
sufficient TO pay the large salaries OF the
general officers and 10 keep up the
princely establishment they have provided
for themselves in Philadelphia. II is said
that bills are overdue and that financial
ruin stares the order in the face.
"The general master workman has asked
per capita, ostensibly TO send out lecturers,
but really TO secure funds TO pay the debts
OF the general office and keep the machine
creased until the indianapolis session OF
the general assembly in October next. II
is thought to be the purpose OF the admin.
istration ring 10 either secure such changes
ut the next session OF the general assembly
as will raise the tax upon the membeHand
reduce necessary expenditures so that the
general officers will be secured in their
exorbitant salaries or TO surrender their
places and scheme for the election OF
others upon whom they hope TO unload
the odium of the destruction wrought by
their dishonesty and incompctency.
"With this condition OF affairs clearly
presented and abundant evidence OF the
continual strengthening Of the charges
made in the first circular Of the provision
al, the general committee is convinced Of
the need Of renewed effort on the part OF
those whose desire is TO see the cause Of
labor progress. No grander principles
than those enunciated by the founders Of
the Knights Of Labor have ever been
given TO the world. Nobler men and
women than those who compose the rank
and file of the order or have been within
its fold the world does not know. To de-
fcnd these principles and 10 protect such
men and women the provisional move
mcnt was begun and viii be continued.
"Ihc labor movement must be kept
pure, or II will prove curse instead OF n
blessing TO the toilers. II u limb Of the
human body becomes diseased II must
either be cured or amputqied; II one Of the
many organizations falls binder the control
OF bad men il must cithctbe liberated and
cleanscd or be supplanisd by a movement
with honest men at tho head.
"All efforts 10 rescue tho Knights OF Ia.
Dor from the ring which has controlled IL
for nearly two years have proved futile.
So strongly rooted has Il become because
Of the confidence II has Betrayed, and by
the aid OF political chicanory, that II is inn
| possible 10 displace this ring by the or.
| binary methods. Therefore, 10 secure the
safety Of the movement based upon thC
orders principles, II Is tIsolutcly neccs
sary that the true knights guard thos'
principles as the soul Of the labor move
mcnt, and that reorganization, which vii
leave the traitors with nothing but thei
machinery, shall take place.
'The provisional organization viii nc
complish this good work. VIII you join
them and help TO hasten the day when
the knights OF Labor will again be n rccog
nizcd power In the land-a power that vii
be LASTING, and that cannot be overthrow
10y incompetent and rascally lcadcr1
"1ho secretary will furnish assemblies
or earnest individuals with full Particular
NJ 10 the present strength OF the proyis
ional committee movement, and instruo
ton upon organization or reorganization.
provisional CoMuuTEK.
"JOsHrH II. BUCHANAN, Scr'yx