Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-11-12
LABOR In COUNCIL.
PowderIy's Knights Go into
Session at Denver.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GATHERS

Proposition for the Discussion of the
Tariff Question ms an Educational Ex-
ercise-Reference to the New York Gen.
trail Strike and Compliments to the
Newspapers Some Remarks Upon the
Conditions of Harmony.
DENVER. Colo, Nov. 12 The general
assembly Of the Knights of Labor con-
vened in annual session Yesterday, Grand
Master Workman Powderly presiding.
Over 200 delegates were present. Pow
derby read his annual address, at the con-
ciusion OF which the assembly adjourned
for the day for the purpose of giving the
committee on credentials time to prepare
their report But TWO contests were re-.
ported--one from Massachusetts,, and the
other from Florida. In his address Pow
Derby reminded the delegates that on the
18th OF December the organization will
nave been IN existence twenty -one wears.
For years during this time-he said-the
taost important VI a series OF questions that
has agitated the people o; all nations is that of
tarln and free trade. We b " not, as IN or
der, adopted tariff or anti, ariff clause in our
preamble, aad do not advise such a thing,
now.
Wants the Tariff Discussed.
We Should, howev-r, throw open the doors
OIL our assemblies for the discu- SION of this
great problem, so that our members may be-
come edu ated In the principles of prute ton
and free trade. While we do not allow the
question Inside of our sanctuaries. our MEM
bers are asked every four years in the United
States and every I'VE years or oftener in Can
ada to register their votes either in favor of or
against protection. My recommendation is
that after January, 1881, il should be perInis-
sib c for local assemblies to discuss the ques-
lion or high tariff an free trade. By putting
the question In this sha e: viii h will uring
the greatest good to the greatest number high
tariff or free trader We do not commit the Or
der t. either hool, ami yet allow our menu
bers TO take u for discussion and agi alton
that vital question.
The New York Central Strike
In the early part OF the year Information
came to me tn II members OF the order EN-
ploye0 by the New York Central and under
the 1urisdi ion of District As emily 3i6 were
growing FESTIVE under tie treatm mt received
at { hands OF the officials of that company
Individual direction OF a majority under con-
iitons that We're not easy of endurance had
| proved ahor i've, and when the aid of men of
In ruence was invoked, il usually turned out
TO be the same. Public officials were appealed
to 10 approach the officials of the New York
| Central and ntercede fo- the workmen rh,t
L
matter of wages aud regulations, bat nothing
aver came of IL
Charges Ag ,insi the Press
The public press from B ffalo to New York
was. with but few honor BILE exceptions, under
the influence Of the Vanderbilt 5 ystem When
ever all editor decided TO travel east rr We
he applied TO he president of the eomplny
| and was granted a pass forthwith. Whenever
the Int rests or the company required, these
papers would always respond and publish
whatever was presented 10 them. With the
chosen servants OF the people travelin; on
passes, with the editors of he papers along
| the road subsi lied in the same manner il be-
c'me impossible for the workmen TO get he
| pubhc ear - place their grievances before the
officials Vtthut subjecting themselves To dis
missals
Given Barrels of Advice
During the Central trike We had an uppor-
tunity TO learn who our friends were among
the newspapers, and found that they were *
ceedin2ly few. We were given quantities OF
counsel, warnings. and censure. Many or the
papers that were friendly TO US di not seem
to understand the situation or the necessities
or those who WORK for low wages. Since the
Central strike ended the e We're rumors of an
other one on the Erie railway, and the papers
began to show that there was no neces-
sity for a str Ike on that rad for
the managers" and workmen We're working
III harmony.
The Conditions of HARMONY"
Theer will always bps harmony tween the
employer and EN- loye when the former has it
In his power to dictate what his employe shall
eat, drink and wear. When the emp oyer can
control the market he will control the men
When the employer has monopol of the
market he has also a monopoly OF the harm ny
that our papers prate about 50 much. The
tiger Is always harmonious with the lamb
after the former has picked the bones OF the
| latter. We see the editor Of ii New York daily
paper and the president or the New York Cen
trai operating the raising OF u fund to feed
men and women in Ireland who have been
robbed, through exactly the same diabo lcal
system as that which is now beginning to rob
the worsmen of America.
Equal Rights for Both Sexes.
In conclusion Powderly strongly advo.
| Gated the passing Of law securing to
both sexes equal rights He favored the
| acceptance OF the invitation from the
Farmers Alliance TO send delegates to
their convention, end the cooperation of
the X. of L. with the various railway or
CARNATIONS in the work of federation.
Last night a monster reception was ten
dered the delegates. Speeches We're made
by Governor Routt, Mayor Londoner,
Powderly, aud others.