The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-09
Mr.. P0WDERLY In CHICAGO
HE SPEAKS IN CENTRAL MUSIC HALL.
Five Thousand People Greet Him With .
Tempest OF AppIause-Ee Refers to
the Criticisms That Have Been
Launched at Him From Chicago.

CHICAGO, Oct. give thousand people
were present at meeting in Central music ball
this afternoon, the feature of which was to be
an address by General Master Workman
Powderly of the X. of L. II Mr.. Powderly was
counting upon receiving popular Endorsement
he could have scarcely gone away disappointed,
for the gathering was remarkable for its cos
mOpolitan character and enthusiastic feeling as
well as for its number. Sunday closing OF
saloons was the topic announced for discussion
Powdery was greeted with such tempest OF
applause as is seldom given to any man. lie
began by referring TO the criticisms that had
been launched at him from Chicago and said
that few years ago he would not have ex-
pected such an audience or such hearing.
His remarks on Sunday closing were emphatic
and pointed enough to elicit repeated out
breaks of applause from even the most radical
of his hearers. Mr.. Powderly continued:
''You have been told that the chief officer of
the X. of l.. is a most viliainous character. He
is not going to deny it. But | will agree
that the citizens of Chicago, not connected
with any labor organization may select CON-
mittee of three honest men, and will place
before them the records of the order since its
organization. If that committee does not say
that what they have heard on the streets is
slandlr on the order, then 1 will submit that il
40 Ihst verdict If the respectable, decent
citizens 81 Chicago do not care 10 accept this
oLer. / feel that they do not believe the SLAM
Mr.. Powderly is accompanied by A. NJ.
Wright of Toronto, with whom he LETT last
evening for Hamilton, Ont, where he speaks
tomorrow night. The original program in
cuded a series Of speeches in the West, but
these have been abandoned, and after his
address in Hamilton, the X. OF L. chief will go
20 Scranton for a few days to work upon his
report TO the general assembly, which meets IN
Atlanta in four weeks. On Oct. IA. Mr.. Pow
derby will GO 10 Philadelphia to hold confer
ence with the chief and secretaries OF the
federation Of labor unions.
''They insist" said Mr.. Powderly, in in
terview this evening "that shall present the
eght-hour question to the general assembly.
We have our views on this question and they
have theirs. The object of our conference is
20 learn just what they want"
"Does thatimply that the eighthour day ques-
ton will be submitted by you 10 the assembly
as the trade federation desires itY'
"It means that we are willing to discuss the
question, but the strike will not be recon-
mended. Possibly / should not attempt to
speak for the X. of L., but I know this
Is the feeling believe in a shorter day. have
been quoted on that enough TO make 1t plain.
But il will never be done by strikes. Arbitra-
ton is all that can bring il about. The stock
yards strike in this city is good illustration
of this We will bring the question before the
assembly in n way agreed upon IN the coming
conference. but il will not lead TO a verdict In
favor OF a strike in May any other time. As
n matter OF fact | see the federation is itself
already leading in this matter in circulars
that they are issuing which say general strike
Is not contemplated"
Regarding the alleged financial straits OF the
X. OF l., Mr.. Powderly said: 1--WE ere clear of
debt we have a balance in the treasury and We
shall hold a general assembly in a few weeks
At which each delegate will receive his ex'
penses, and then will have money left. Our
condition is better than ever before"
This evening, before leaving, Messrs. Pow
DERBY aad Wright had a talk with Alexander
Skillen of Oswego, the grand master workman
Of the seamens union of that district
charge OF conspiracy has been brought against
Skillen and other district officers by Cleveland
merchants. The union maintains the charge is
brought in an effort to crowd il out OF
existence, and they ask the interference
OF the national executive board in the
matter. Workman Skilen's story was heard
and the case taken under advise ment. Later
In the evening the facts were telegraphed the
X of l. general executive board at St. Louis.
Action by the board will depend on the
decision OF the members in 81. Louis. Mr..
Wright denies that there is n probability of
any trouble arising between the board and the
seRmen's union.
'They have heretofore asked for nothing" he
said, and now they only ask our assistance.
We are looking into the merits of the
Should their story be substantiated we shall
help them. Should the charges OF the Cleve.
land people appear to be true we shall not in