New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-23
GRIEVANCES OF KNIGHTS.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE CINCIN.
NATT CASE.
VOTE OF CENsURE AGAINST sKEFFINGToN-A
NATIONAL OFFICER A MEMBER OF
SUSPENDED ASSEMBLY.
rsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Indianapolis Nov. 22.-The General Assembly OF
the Knights Of Labor to-day discussed the rights OF
q mixcd' assemblies. Mr.. skeflngton is tho Master
Workman OF National Trades Assembly No GIG. 1t
Includes Knights who are in the shoe and leather
trade At Cincinnati Is District Assembly No 4s, OF
which Hugh Cavanaugh Is Master Workman. There
artisans OF more than one occupation In the
semby. Among others numerous shOemakers.
Last summer these became involved In strike Mas
ter Workman Cavanaugh was disposed to think the
strike allied for. The shoeniakers in the assembly
became dissatisfied and decided to abandon the
mixed assembly, and unto with ono In which only
their own tradespeople held membership They ap-
piled to skeffingon for admission to the National
Trades Assembly No. 216. Their own Master Work
man resisted the transfer to No. 216 Dir. Skefilng-
ton, feeling himself, as Master Workman OF a ma
tiona trades assembly, authorized TO act, went to
Cincinnati, encouraged tho strike, It is asserted and
transferred the striking shSemahers to his assembly
The General Executive Beard, including Powderiy,
investigated the case and decided against Skeangton.
The latter appealed to the General Assembly. Cav
anaugh and H. C. Traphagen preferred charges against
Skcfflngton. The Committee Grievances heard
the case, and submitted report that skeffngton had
been guilty OF nsubornation, that he had exceeded
his authority, and that he had violated his obligation
to the order. part of this finding the
ground that he had made assertions dsrespectful to
tho Powderly administration, and that he had ex-
ercised his pleasure In many matters without
consulting the higher powers. The committee rec
commended that he be suspended for one year. The
defendant took the floor In his behalf. He then
RETIRED and tho convention went into a consideration
Of the case. The committees report divided the
finding of guilty indorscd by vote of 90 to 80.
the average Powderly majority On the question of
the penalty there was great variance Of opinion.
Mr. Cavanaugh had presented his strongly.
penalty against the defendant decided upon. but
not the recommended by tho committee. sub
sttute that instead Of suspension, the defendant be
censurcd by the General Master Workman. adopted
by close vote
After the Cavanaugh-skenlngton case had been dis
posed Of the Grievance Committee announced to the
CONSERVATION OF the hungry and homeslck delegates
that It had nineteen other yet to be reported.
The vain hope had been INDUCED that adjournment
would be reached this week The election will take
considerable time, and It will be Wednesday CT next
week before the convention adjouns unless the rest
Of this week is used to exceptional advantage The
1ext assembly will meet probably in Canada. Toronto
IS asking for It, Cities In the United States are also
under consideration, including Toledo
One Of the nineteen cases before the Committee on
Grievances involves question Of general interest to
the fraternity. The General Worthy Master Fore
man, whose office corresponds to the vice pres-
dency in most bodies, is member OF Local Assembly
400 at Chicago. George Schlling is Master Workman
OF this district which includes this local assembly
Mr. Schillng suspended this local assembly. If the
members Of suspended assemblies cannot be trans
fercd by card land II decided In another easel
the General Worthy Foreman, National officer, not
only belongs to an assembly which has no legal eX-
stencc, but he be transferred to another as
sembly In the usual method. There comes TO his re-
lief, however, mighter power than the rules Of the
order. Mr.. Powderly. after hearing the case, re-
instated Local Assembly 400 II he has the authority
to do so, all Is well but II not troublesome ques
ion Will be left open.
Some of tho delegates to the assembly are mixed
up in local strike. Two walters in the Occidental
Hotel yesterday Insuted one Of the chambermaids.
They were discharged but their associates demanded
that they be relnstated. The hotel owners refused
10 comply with the demand and tho whole force OF
walters was relieved They applied to the knights
for a hearing and the latter designated a committee
TO confer with the hotel people and see what the
facts WERE giving notice at the same time that
whether or not they remained al the hotel depended
on the Justice of the landlords case against the
walters Tho dinner hour to-day found new set
Of waters az the hotel. which the Knights claim was
contrary to the agreement that thu matter should
be fully Investigated before change would be made
After a consult alton. the Knights appointed com
miitee to confer with the hotel people with view
Of getting at tho facts. II upon Investigation the
Knights find the hotel propreiois susi aimed By the
evidence they Will remain. Otherwise they VIII seek
other quarters