The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-23
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.


Charter for an Australian Assembly-Pow-
derly Makes Some Explanations.
CHICAGO, July IA charter was grant
ed by the executive committee OF the
knights of Labor. this morning. to the
first district assembly of the order ever
organized in Australia. The new district
is composed of five local assemblies. with a
total membership of over 500, all of whom
have Joined the order within the past year.
Accompanying the application for char
ter was request for Mr.. Powderly to 60 to
Australia and head the labor movement
there, all of his expe nses to be betrayed by
the Australian branch of the order. 1t is
not likely that Mr.. Powderly will be able
to accept the invitation for some time, be-
cause of urgent business requiring his per-
sonal attention In this country, but some
member of the board will probably be sent
to Australia during the coming winter.
NO session of the board was held in the
afternoon, the members separating, as
usual, TO visit different localities. Master
Workman POwderly was engaged in several
localities in private consultation with
different individuals. Messrs. Devlin and
Hayes visited the Seamen's Union. The
fed with the reports of the Sunday even
ing meeting at the Brick-layers' Hall.
This meeting,n said John Devlin, of the
board, was called by our board for the
purpose OF explaining all points concern
ing which there might be some question,
As soon as the meeting was called to order
and it was found that none but members
were present. Mr. Powderly explained the
purpose in calling the meeting. and said
that that he was prepared to answer all queses
the board. He asked that if each explana-
tiOn did not give complete satisfaction that
those dissatisfied so express themselves
He spoke of score of things, and to each
there was unanimous approval"
Mr.. Devlin also told how Mr.. POwderly
explained to the meeting his famous order
instructing the strikers of 1856 to return to
work or forfeit their charters, and how it
was all the result of Barry's failure to
Assembly. Mr.. Powderly told the men
that il was the General Assembly, in ses-
sion at that time at Richmond, Va. that
moved first in the matter. A delegation
from the strikers asked the assembly to act
for them, and in response to the request,
Barry was sent to Chicago to adjust mat
ters If possible, but under no oircumstan-
ces to bring the order into the matter"
Barry went to Chicago" he said, land in
two weeks came to Philadelphia, where
the board was in session, and told US every
thing was satisfactorily adjusted. Two
weeks later. the board having adjourned,
and separated. he telegraphed to me at
Scranton that the men were again out. L
was away from home and did not get the
message until a week later. Then. as that
was all the information had, and as Barry,
the delegate of the assembly, had formally
reported to us that matters had been adj
justed, had to draw only one conclusion
that was that the men had broken faith
with the packers. Believing this, ordered
them to work. Afterwards | learned that
Barry had not arranged matters perma-
nently and that the men had only returned
to work for two weeks We were deceived
by his report that everything was adjusted.
With what information had, if / had the
thing to do over again. think l should do
as did"