The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-20
ASSEMBLY OF THE KNIGHTS
Cases Similar to that of Barry Cause
Some Queer and Inconsistent Action.
POwderly Has So Far Managed Delegates TO
Suit His Wishes, but lie and the Miners
Are Likely to Have Trouble.

The General Assembly, Knights OF Labor.
spent the entire day, yesterday, disposing OF
routine business Of little interest to the general
public. The committee on grievances and APP
peals continued to report on the cases submitted
to it at the beginning OF the session. One or
them was that of William Gleason, of District
Assembly "a, Of Chicago, who was expelled for
alleged irregularities in Office. His appeal set
forth the same cause of complaint upon which
Barry based his contest, that q member could
only be tried and expelled 10y the court of his
local assembly. The case was discussed two
hours, and then the assembly, going back on the
precedent set in tho Barry case, held in favor Of
Gleason. The matter now goes back to Glea-
sons local assembly, where a trial will be had.
The action of the assembly gaze the friends OF
Barry another opportunity TO make a point
against the administration, and there was some
very spirited talk exchanged between the dele
gates of the two factions. The assembly then
considered the appeal of Joseph II. Bloomer, OF
Toledo. o. It also is like that of Barry's,
Bloc mer having, without trial by his local as
sembly, been expelled by the general executive
board. To the surprise of the Barry faction
the COMMITTEES reported in favor OF Ploomer,
holding that he must be given a trial in his 10
cal assembly. Two such reports. directly con-
trary TO the precedent that had
been set, added insult TO injury.
and the Barry delegates took another opportun-
ity to remind the administration OF its incon-
sistency. The debate indicated to Powderly
and his friends that their opponents would not
patiently bear more mistrestment, and the re-
port of the was voted down by Q
vote OF forty-fve to ninety-eight, SO Bloomer
was expelled as Barry had been. There was
moro dissatisfaction among the delegates az
noon than at any time since the assembly met.
George Schilling. of Chicago, was particularly
inccnsed because the convention put aside as
he said, "sll methods of decency. and framed q
new law to meet the requirements in every case
that came up." Barry said he WAS not surprised
at the assembly setting two presidents In one
day. He thought il proved what he had always
said. that the Assembly would employ any
methods to get rid of those who were not 10
favor of the administration.
But little business was done at the afternoon
session. Some time was taken mp in the routine
work Of receiving resolutions ans referring
them 10 proper committees, after which a matter
involving the oftrepeated charge that the as
sembly is in the interest Of Powderly was
brought up by tho general master workman
himself. George E. Detwiler. a member OF
district assembly. No. "a. of Chicago, Is the
editor OF a labor paper in bis city, called the
| Knights of Labor. Although not q delegate to
the assembly. Detwiler came here and renamed
q few days inquiring as to Its workings. He
returned to Chicago on Thursday night,
and on Saturday his paper came out
with q column attack on the Pow
derby administration. The article stated
that the assembly ia packed in the interest Of
Powderly, and that Litchman and Powderly,
fearing each other. had become reconciled.
Copies of the paper were distributed among the
delegates yesterday. aud Detwiler was roundly
abused. Powderly. In the assembly, took the
floor, and after reading the article denounced it
as false in every particular. and criticised very
severely any member of the order who would
attack the administration. Mr.. Litchman
followed Mr.. Powderly, and also pro-
nounced the article false so far as il related
to him. Quite a number OF other speakers
came after Litchman. and all took the position
that no member had the right TO attack the
order through a newspaper. This discussion
brought out the fact that a resolution had
already been introduced and referred to the
COMMITTEES on law, providing that any member
of the order who makes charges against the
order, through the press, whether they be true
or untrue, shall be subject TO immediate
expulsion by the general executive
board. lit is simply another move
of Powderly 10 the direction of GENERALIZATION
of power" remarked an anti-Powderly delegate,
last evening. IF men are to be deprived OF
their freedom OF speech and compelled to be the
subjects of an autocrat in the person OF the
general master workman, but few will remain
with the order. Powderly's idea is not that Of
free Americans