Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-11-12
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Over 1000 Delegates Assemble in Dem
YER, T. V. Powderly Presiding.
Address, the Session Adiours Until To-
Day-A Public Reception.

knights of Labor were called 10 order IN
P. o. S. of L. Hall to-day by Grand
Master Workman PowderlY, who, after
remarks, read his annual address. AT
the conclusion of the address he assem-
bly, adjourned until to- morrow morning
for the purpose of giving the committee
on credentials time 10 prepare their re-
port. In his report, after reading, he
advised the delegates of the tact that on
the 2Sth day of next month the order
would enter upon its majority as an as-
sociaton, and, dwelling upon the growth
of the organization during these twenty
one years, and the good accom- lished.
he said, for years the most important of
the series OF question that has agitated
the people of all nations is that OF
tariff and free trade We have
not as an order adopted tariff
or anti-tariff clause in our preamble
aud l do not advise such thing now. We
should, however, throw open the doors
of our assemblies for the discussion of
the great problem, so our members may
be educated in Basic prime pies of pro-
lection and free trade. While we
side of our sanctuaries, our members
are asked every four years IN the United
States and every five years or oftener in
Canada to register their votes, either in
favor Of or against protection. My
recommendation is that or and after the
LIST day of January, 1891. it shall be
permissible for local assemblies TO dis
cuss the question Of high tariff and free
a II
shape: Which will brlng the greatest
number, high tariff or free trade? We
do not commit the order To either school,
and yot allow our members to take up for
discussion that question.
Upon the question OF maintaining the
legislative committees. be thought if the
assembly decide to maintain them, 1t
should also decide what measure such
committee shall advocate, how far they
should go, and with whom they NAV CO.
operate. so that they may not go unin-
structed and thereby be considered the
legitimate prey of every faction and
political party having claim against
the government or scheme to pass, while
they are 10 be content with anything
thrown to them.
He opposed making any change in the
constitution, except such as will recon-
cile conflicting clauses and make plain
the obscure passages.
Reference was also made to the New
York Central strike and the irruption
progress, and ending, rehearsed also the
cause which led 10 it.
Continuing, lie says: "I am opposed
to the strike. My views on the subject
are well known, but If men are 10 gam
anything they must be organized; they
must be prepared to strike, even though
they never do it. If we must have strikes,
then We should prepare for them, and
not allow every subordinate to rush the
order into them at q moments notice or
without any precautiOn. Since the Gem
trail strike ended there were rumors of
another one on the Erie railway, aud
the papers began to show that there was
no ecessity for the strike on that road,
for the managers and wOrkmen were
in harmony. There will always
be harmony between employer and en-
ploye, when the former has it in his
power to dictate what the employe shall
eat drink and wear. When the en-
ployer can control the markets he will
control them. When the employer has
of the market he has also q
of the harmony that our papers
prats about so much. We see the editor
Of O New York daily paper, and the
president of the New York Central as
iisting in the raising of fund to
lee men and women in Ire
and who have been robbed
through the same diabolical system as
hat which is now beginning to rob the
vorkmen of America. That which is |
ound worthy of praise IN the Irish |
vorkmen, who strike against injustice, |
8 damned in his brother in America |
when he asks for enough to keep his |
hildren out of the poor house. In order |
o prevent strikes We must make every |
preparation to make them successful |
when entered upon, and legislation IN
hat direction must be enacted at this
ession. or your incoming general officers
must he given to understand under no
or condition must they
AXE part in any strikes.
He strongly advocated the passage of
avs securing to both sides equal rights,
nd the acceptance of the invitation
rom the Farmers Alliance to send dele
ates to their next convention. He also
avored cooperation of the Knights of
.abor with various railroad organiza-
ions in the work Of liberalization.
A public reception was rendered the
elegates this afternoon, at which 5000
eople were present. Snort speeches
'ere made by Mayor Londoner. Hon. G.
!. Thomas, Ralph Beaumont, Rev.
iyron Reed, T. v. Powderly and Gov
rnor T. Routt.
pecial to the Gazette.
DENVER, COL, Nov. 1.-THE meet
lg of the general assembly. X. of L.,
1as held with closed doors. All the dele
stions are not yet present, but it was
ound that there we're SO far two con-
ests on hand, one from the state assem-
ly of Massachusetts and the other from
be state assembly OF Florida. The CON-
ention then adjourned to permit the
ommittee to consider the GASES of the
contested.
At 9 O'CLOCK this afternoon a public
eception was ten iered the delegates at
he Fifteenth street theater. Nearly
300 people packed the house. When
Ir. Powderly appeared upon The plat
,rm to take his seat it was q signal for
appla use, which lasted sew
ral minutes.
Mr.. Powderly, in the course Of bis re-
iarks on the late New York Central
rike, and when speaking OF Robert
inkerton and his hired men, became
ute excited, and said: 'Robert
inkerton with his power to hurl the
,rces at bis disposal against defenseless
orking men exercised q mower above |