Wichita eagle., 1888-11-17
THE KNIGHTS OFIABOR.

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. Is. - Committee
work occupies large portion OF the time
of the delegates to the general assembly of
the Knights of Labor. However, there is
still time for gossip about elections and
other matters of interest to the public
The substance of this has been heretofore
mentioned in these dispatches. Nearly
every expression is stated with an ''if' and
the contingentis Powderly's acceptance Of
the chief Office which, in turn, depends on
the action that may be taken on his adj
dress There is general feeling III favor
of Powderly, and vet there are enough
differences Of opinion as to methods of
reaching the same end to make it pretty
lively in the convention. All this Will ap-
pear IN time.
A large portion of the morning session
was taken up with a debate over the re
port of the committee on appeals and
grievances in a case from Chicago. George
Schilling, master workman of ID. A -,
had granted a transfer card to member
of suspended local and a member of that
assem- bly, protested. The committee re-
ported in favor of sustaining the protest
and after debate the report was adopted
The only other business settled was the
adoption of a resolution ordering that Mrs.
Barrv's report be printed in French and
introduced and referred at once to the
proper committees and the assembly took
a recess for dinner.
The first business OF the afternoon was
an address by Rev. Wilbur Crafts, of New
York, on the question of Sunday labor.
The central thought of his discourse was
that Sabbath reform needs nationaliza-
ton" and It has IN substance been deliv-
cred by him before. The general assembly
gave close attention and at times inter-
rupted him with hearty applause. Mr.
Crafts was largely responsible for the law
making eight hours aday's labor for letter
carriers and he wanted some action taken
by the general assembly by which it could
be brought about that no Sunday
work should be done by any gov
ernment officials. He has prepared
petition to be presented to congress
wpich was unanimously approved by the
general assembly.
The committee on appeals and griev-
ances reported the protest of ID. a 75
against organization of National District
assembly 225, their report being favorable
to the letter d. a. as through A d. Best
clhimed that the other organization had
not been legally preferred. As both were
composed of street car drivers the decision
would settle TO which of two certain local
assemblies would be attached. The report
of the committee was adopted and 226 will
make an Immediate gain in membership
Of three or four thousand members. The
reason given on which the Motest was
founded was technical oversight at the
time of the organization in August,
1887, but in reality it was a
personal matter, ID. a. IS being
anxious to retain eastern members whose
regular connection was with 226 ID. A
No. DO is the third strongest in the order
and it is claimed by It's delegate that it
will step at once to the front place
The committee on the state of the order
desired action on an eight hour law and
recommended the appointment of
special COMMITTEES to look after the matter
and take proper action. So ordered by
the general assembly.
Some member whose name was care
ully suppressed introduced a proposition
that newspaper men be made ineligible to
membership IN the knights of Labor The
subject was discussed at some lenght and
with some warmth. When the vote was
ordered only half dozen of the 1So dele
gates would vote for the proposition
and it was defeated. BY resolution in
trodUce6 and adopted is was decided
10 give to the press only the
result of propositions introduced, although
that has bas been all that has thus far been
given out
\ lively discussion ensued over the in
PRODUCTION of proposition TO form the
Chinese into independent organizations
As the present laws stand, Chinese stand
on the same footing as all Others. the re-
quirements for admission being the same
as for other members
Tonight the committee on appeals and
grievances IS considering the cases Of
Thomas B. Barry, Of Michigan. and ] NJ
Bloomer. OF Toledo. o. The csse o. Mr.
barry was given IN his appeal, which WAS
given exclusively IN the Associated Press