Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-11-21

itical, ETC., Etc.
The Knights are holding a very i'm
portant session at Atlanta, Ga, and
when they adjourn it is expected they
will have placed the Order in better
position than it has ever yet held in the
eyes of the public. The secretary
treasurer's report shows that at present
there are 5000 members in good stand
ing, and, instead of being bankrupt as
many of its enemies claim, they have
$4,000 in the treasury and own real
estate valued at $4,000. The reports of
the hundreds of district assemblies also
show their treasures to be in healthy
condition. The work done by the con-
vention since our last issue is given in
the following, which is condensed from
the columns of the Atlanta Constitution:
THURSDAY.
The committee on law reported, and
some very important changes in the con-
stitution were suggested. The most i'm
portant change made was to allow the
transfer of local assembly to any other
district assembly or to the General
Assembly without the consent of either
the district, national trade or state
assembly as heretofore required. 1t
was proposed to amend the fourth plank
of the platform and discussion arose
which lasted e, until adjournment: In the
afternoon the convention was visited by
a delegation from the Women's Chris
tian Temperance Union.
FRIDAY.
The committee on land resumed its
report Immediately after the convention
was called to order, and continued until
the hour arrived when Col L. +. Living
ston, President of the Farmers Alliance,
was to be received. When the commit
tee appointed to escort the representa-
tives of the farmers to the hall returned
they had with them besides Col. Living
ston several other important personages
who are interested in the welfare of
agriculturists. The Colonel was received
with great applause and spoke of prob
able alliance of the two powerful organi-
cations. He stated that other work had
prevented his studying the details and
methods of the Knights, but he was
positive that when the Alliance meets at
st. Louis next month the confederation
would be formed.
Mr.. Powderly replied in a fervant
speech, thanking God that the day was
almost here when the mechanic and the
farmer should stand together and work
for the same objects. The enthusiasm
was great and every mention of COM
bining brought forth much applause.
SATURDAY.
The convention went into a committee
of the whole in order to give every dele
gate chance to suggest such improve
ments as he deemed necessary for the
general welfarer Five minutes was the
time allotted to each speaker. AS every
man had some special scheme for the
general good, the subjects for discussion
were many.
The subject of the greatest interest
discussed was the continuance of the
educational fund. 1t has been found
that the educational lectures, which
were inaugurated by Mr. Powderly,
have given the Order greater influence
and power than any other scheme. The
fund to carry on the work was raised
last year by voluntary contributions of
10 cents. The money donated has been
expended, and suggestions were in order
as to the best means of obtaining funds
to continue the work.
A feeling was manifested by several
of the speakers that the educational
fund-no matter how raised-shoud not
be expended in lectures. 1t was sug-
gested that great good might be done by
distributing leahet and pamphlet litera-
ture among the members of the Order.
1t was also thought that the circulation
energettically pushed. The official organ
vention who claimed it to be powerful
educational medium.
MONDAY.
The convention went into committee
of the whole on the land question. The
following resolution was adopted as the
fourth plank of the declaration of prin-
ciples of the Knights:
That land, including all the natural sources
of wealth. is the heritage of all the people and
should not be subject to speculative traffic.
Occupancy and use shall be the only title to
the possession of land. Taxes upon lands
should be levied upon its full value for use,
exclusive of improvements, and should be suf-
ficient to make for the community all the un-
earned increment.
After the committee had risen and the
Assembly had adopted the resolution,
Mr.. Powderly and A. w. Wright, of the
Executive Board, were appointed COM
mittee to attend the National Farmers
Alliance Convention at st. Louis.
AT the afternoon session the Knights
passed resolution urging that census
be taken showing the proportion of peo-
pie owning homes and farms; how many
of these are free from debt, and what
percentage is covered by mortgage.
Local assemblies everywhere were or
dered to pass a similar resolution and
forward to Secretary Noble. Under the
topic of legislation the question of the
Order taking part in political elections
came up and all the leading men present
took part in the discussion which fol-
lowed. After long consideration the
| following recommendation of the Gen
eral Executive Board was endorsed:
That the General Executive Board be given
power to take the report of the Committee ON
Legislation, examine it in detail and publish to
the Order from time to time such information
as will be of benefit to them in voting for the
different candidates for legislative honors, and
also to recommend to the Order such action as
they may deem wise.
A G. I. A. Society was organized by
Delegate Kehoe Sunday evening. The
branch starts out with AZ members. At
the meeting addresses were made by A.
M. Dewey, ex-editor of the Journal of
United La60r, Mrs. Barry and Delegate
Maiden of Massachusetts.
TUESDAY.
This session was devoted to the con-