The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-11-12
Mr.. POWDERLYS VIEWS
He Thinks Justice Has Not Been Done
The Knights Of Labor.
A CORNER ON HARMONY
Railway Officials Who Are Permit
ted to Dictate Every Term
Should Not Complain
OF Injustice.

DENVER, Nov. 1.-THE general assem-
bly, Of the Knights Of Labor convened this
morning, with about 800 delegates present
General Master Workman Powderly read
his annual address, after which the as
sembly adjourned until tomorrow. A
public reception was rendered the dele
gates this afternoon, at which several
thousand people assembled.
Powderly, in his annual address, touch
ing on the economic policy of the govern
mont, said, In part: ave have not, as
AN order, adopted tariff or anti-tarin
clause in our preamble, and do not ad-
wise such thing now. We should, how.
ever, throw open the doors of our
assemblies for the discussion OF
this great problem, so the members may
become educated on the basis, principles
OF protection and free trade, recon-
mended that on and after January next
Il shall be permissible for local assem-
blies 10 discuss the question which will
bring the greatest good to the greatest
number, high tariff or free trade. Thus
We do not commit the order 10 either
school, and yet allow our members TO
take up for discussion and agitation that
vital question:
Upon the question Of maintaining legis.
latiye committees Powderly thought IL the
assembly decided TO maintain them il
should also decide what measures they
shall advocate; how far they may go, and
with whom they may cooperate, so they
may not be considered the legitimate
prey OF every faction and political party.
Mr.. Powderly dwelt at length upon the
New York Central strike. He said In
part: "Indiyidual effort in the direction
| of ameliorating the conditions that were
not elsy Of endurance had proved abort
i've. Public officials were appealed TO
here aud there, but nothing ever came of
il. The public press from Buffalo to New
York was, with but few honorable ex-
ceplions, under the influence of Wander
bilts system, with the chosen servants of
the public travelling on passes, with the
editors of papers along the road subsi-
died in the same manner, it became im-
possible for the workmen 10 get the pub
lie ear OF 10 place their grievances before
the officials of the company without sub
jecting themselves TO dismissal.
Referring 10 the visits of the commit
tees of the men TO the railway officials,
| Powderly said: "The idea of meeting on
the level of equality with their employees
for the purpose of discussing the terms OF
agreement, was repugnant 10 the men
whose aristocratic tendencies were given
birth beneath the shadow Of the house Of
Vanderbilt and means 10 put a stop TO
these opportunities were sought for. Tie
plan Of picking of a spokesman in order
to terrify the others was rcsorted 20, and
one after another was discharged in the
hope that the lesson would be OF practical
value TO the company in terrorizing the
rank and iile.n
Referring 10 his correspondence with
Master Workman Lee, Powderly says
"Many malicious persons and papers pre-
sumed TO interpret my language as being
in favor Of conspiracy 10 get up strike
either during the presidential year
or when the worlds fair was in progress.
What | said was that IL the organization
could be kept up until the worlds fair, the
| New York Central would not be able 10
refuse any just concession. Those who
/ saw the conspiracy in that sentence
would, il they were Just, say that no
just concession should be refused
in any year. am opposed
TO strikes. My views on the subject are
well known. but il men arc 10 gain any.
thing they must be organized, they must
be prepared to strike even though We
never do it. II we must have strikes then
we should prepare for them, and not allow
every subordinate TO rush the order into
them at a moments notice without prep
aration. If 1893 should he the best year To
gain what is just and right aud proper for
labor, fiat refusal should be given. That
would be the best year 10 strike, and not
at a time when no preparations had been
made.
"During the New York Central strike
we had an opportunity TO learn who our
friends were among the newspapers and
found they were exceedingly few. We were
given quantities Of counsel, warning and
censure. Many papers friendly TO us did
not seem 10 understand the situation OF
the necessity Of the men who worked for
low wages, Since the central strike
ended, there were rumors of another OIL
the Erie, aud the papers began TO show
there was no necessity for strike on that
road for the managers and workmen were
working in harmony. There will always
be harmony between employer and EN-
ploye when the former has il in his power
to dictate what the employe shall eat
drink aud wear. When the employer has
a monopoly of the market he has also a
monopoly Of the harmony that our papers
pirate about so much.
"We see the editors of a New Yorl
paper and the president Of the New YorB
Central railroad operating the raising ol
the fund TO feed men and women in Ire
land who have been robbed through ex
actly the same diabolical system. Il /.
now beginning 10 rob the workmen Of
America. That which is found worthy oI
praise In the Irish workman, who strive.
against injustice Is damned In his brothel
ia America when he asks for enough to
keep his children out of the poor house.
ala order to prevent strikes we mus
make every preparation TO make then
successful when entered upon, aud lcpis
lation IN that direction must be enacted
at this session or your incoming genera
officers must he given to understand tha
under no circumstances must they tax,
part IN strikes Of any kind.m
Mr.. Powderly advocated equal right
for both sexes the acceptance OF the in
yitation To send delegates 10 the pex
Farmers alliance convention; the coon
Grafton of the knights of Labor will
various railroad organizations In the worl
Of federation.