The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-03-30
STRIKES do mo GlQD.
Mr.. Powderly Talks to the K. of
L. Men in a Frank Way.
EDUCATION is THE THING
And should bo Made the shibboleth
of the order---Ho Argues that
Strikes Must be Done Away
WIth.-Good Advice.

WILEEspARRH, March 29.-Master
Workman Powderly issues long mani
festo in the knights of Labor Journal,
in which he earnestly requests that edu-
cation be made the future motto Of the
order, and that strikes be entirely done
away with. Mr.. Powderly confesses
that the X. oil Strikes have never been
successful, and that the time to call a
halt has arrived. He says;
What combination of hungry men
could fight battle against combina-
tion OF dollars2 When workman ceas-
esto earn money his stomach feels It,
and unless charity is given he starves.
If our membership of 100000 is instruct
cd in the full meaning Of the preamble
OF the X. OF L. we will do work which
all the strikes OF ages, had they all
proved successful, could not do. Edp-
cate our people, teach them what it is
chat causes depression, teach them what
is contained in our preamble, have them
discuss it, sitting out that which is good
in it and exchanging that which is not
so good for something better.
STRIKES DO NO GOOD.
How will this be done, not by sitting
down until the very life blood of labor
is drawn to the last drop. We must
have legislation which will compel in
diyiduals and corporations to transact
business on basis OF real property, dol
lars and cents, Instead Of what the world
calls paper credit or fictitious values.
How can this be done? Not by strikes;
not by wasting our energies on the line
of abuse OF each other. It cannot be
done by men who have no higher con-
ception Of knightkood and citizenship
than to expose themselves and families
to the pangs Of hunger in suicidal
strikes.
1t is argued that strikes do good. So
does fire. Strikes do no good. Go to
the coal feldsof Pennsylvania andcount
the victims; go through the Lehigh re-
gion and count the sufferers; go in the
homes OF the brave, heroic men who
waged the unequal battle, aud ask OF the
wives and children you will find there
ii strikes do good, and note the answer.
Let the ones who have felt the pangs of
hunger testify. Do not go to thoseYho,
standing far from the scene Of conflict,
will say strikes do good. Unfortunately
for labor, men in position are prone to
yield to elamor too easily.
FOUR VITAL QUESTIONS.
When committee OF enthusiastic
men wait on the head Of labor society
and say we must strike now or never,
our chances are good, We will win in
week, and the man. who opposes us is
coward, he is apt to yield and give con-
sent when he has nothing else to give.
The General Master Workman has re-
ceived his share of censure for not en-
couraging certain strikes. Henever did
encourage strike, and never will do so,
nor will he ever vote to order strike
until every known remedy short OF
surrender OF the manhood OF the men
engaged has been tried.
Mr.. Powderly requests that every local
assembly hold meetings at once and vote
on the following questions and send the
answer to him:
First-Does your assembly believe in
entering at once upon an active educa-
tional campaign?
Second-Do you believe we should
send out good, competent brothers to
teach the principles OF the order?
Third-Shall the General Master
Workman levy an assessment OF fifteen
cents per capita to defray expenses of
lecturers?
Fourth-Will the General Master
Workman be sustained in enforcing dis
cipline in all departments Of the order2