The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-07-27
TO MEET IN The SOUTH.

Tho General Assembly of the Knights Of
Labor TO BE Held i'm Atlanta, Ga, ON
Tuesday, November 12-The Executive
Board In Session in Chicago-Powderly
Says the Order Is Prospering.
CHICAGO, July Inference v. Powderly,
Grand Master Workman of the Knights Of
Labor, is in this city with several members
OF the Executive Committee of the Grand
Lodge, discussing means for revivifying the
order
The members of the board present be-
sides Mr.. Powderly are: John W. Hayes, of
Philadelphia, general secretary treasurer;
John Devlin, Detroit, Mich; j. J. Holland,
Jacksonville, Fla; A. w. Wright, Toronto,
Ont, and John Costello, president
About noon the executive board of the
Knights of Labor went into executive ses-
sion, which was continued throughout the
day and evening until late hour. The
first business of the board was the selec-
tion of the time and place of the next gen
eral assembly. 1t was decided that it
should be held at Atlanta, Ga, on the
second Tuesday in November.
In an interview Mr.. Powderly says the
present meeting of the board is quarterly
meeting called in Chicago for the con
venence of Northwestern assemblies to
ney to Philadelphia The statement that
this is an exceptional meeting Mr.. Powder
ly claims to be untrue, and says Every
ono knows we meet wherever convenience
suggests, and as matter of fact met here
in Chicago two years ago" The board will
continue in session several days.
Mr.. Powderly was told of the many con-
lectures made as to the object of this West
ern trip-that the order was so broken up
in the East that it was to be abandoned and
a rally in the West made; that the board
alarmed at Barry's activity, was coming to
extend him the olive branch; and that
many other equally eXtravagant departures
were in the minds of the master workman
and his staff. Mr.. Powderly smiled pleas
antly at some of these and savagely at
Others while for all he had nothing but
contempt.
1--WE are not here to abandon the East, "
said he 1.-THE suggestion is born of an in
sane fancy or the most malicious design.
never heard or dreamed of such a thing
and these wild commentators might as well
say that we came to Chicago for any other
foolish purpose that their folly or venom
prompts them to say.
I'VE are not here" he then said, Ito ex-
tend to Mr.. Barry the olive branch or to
give him any notice or consideration what
ever Ii he is in Chicago l do not know it,
nor does his whereabouts affect the course
of my movements any more than the dust
in the road. We are not in the least iota
influenced by Mr.. Barry or his people He
and they are not of u.s.
The general master workman was then
told that there were number of Knights of
Labor who pretended to be ia Sood stand
ing in the order who were also members of
Rorry's so-cnllel brotherhood
what will be done if the cases of these
men are brought up?" was asked.
THE names of all such" said Mr.. Pow
derly, emphatically, will, when brought to
our notice, be erased from our list unless
they surrender their membership to the
other. No Knight of Labor can or will
belong to Barry's organization or any
other association formed for the pur-
pose of undermining the order of the
knights of Labor. This does not include,
of course, the Trades Assembly, Central
Labor Union and other associations work
ing collaterally and in harmony with us;
but it does most positively bear on Barry
scheme"
The many reports of the failing condi-
tion of the knights of Labor We're brought
to Mr.. Powderlys attention.
"That," said he, "is an impression par
ticularly marked in Chicago by the fact that
the order has suffered from fractional feuds
here. 1t is not to be folsnd so elsewhere.
] consider the order in healthy and
growing condition, far outstripping the
showing of last year. We grew with too
rapid strides and to moderate
degree in 1856 during the excitement
attendant upon the eight-hour movement.
That we should experience a relaxation
from this glut of numbers was natural.
We entered 1856 with $1,000 members in
good standing, and on September of that
year had 100000 names enrolled on our
books. We didn't want such a big crowd.
Much of it was unfit material for the or
der"
DO you refere to the socialistic ele.
ment?" was asked
Yes; to that" said Mr. Powderly. land
other overwrought or ignorant elements
which soon found themselves not at home. u
what is your present membership OF the
orderg"
Something more than 200, 600, and grow
ing with steady, intelligent growth.
Now, while we show q decrease IN
the matter of numerical membership
since 1856, we show very tiattering
advance over last year. The enemies
of the Knights of Labor always omit
that fact The truth is, the order
is tiourishing and as strong almost as its
most ardent friend might wish. Il am free
to say, however" he continued, that there
has been unusual trouble in Chicago.
Though we still have about 1000 left here
there is much to be done to improve the
order, and l am confident that it will be
done"
Mr.. Powderly was asked about the eight
hour movement laid out for next year, be-
ginning May l. He said that the project
had not originated with the Knights OF
Labor but with the Federation of Trades
and he could not speak upon It,
Furthermore, he hesitated to make
an open declaration upon such
matter of principle, as he pre-
ferred to leave that to the Judgment OF the
order, and personally avoid the charge OF
autocracy. He was however, very plainly
In favor of the eight-hour movement OF
any rational procedure toward fewer hours
of labor.
LIGHTNING STRIKES A KING.
Remarkable Escape of Charles of Wurtem-