New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-21
A ONE-SIDED DEBATE.
GoMPERs DOES NOT MEET PowDERLY.



thousands Of workingmen who crowded the large hall
Of Cooper Union last night at the meeting Of
the New York district assemblies of the Knights Mr..
Powdcrly had the field to himself for samuel Gompers,
president OF the American Federation OF Labor, failed
to appear. to share the platform and debate the eight
hour question with his rival, as had been expected
Early in the afternoon NJ Powdery sent long
letter to President Gompcrs reviewing the situation and
conditions under which they were to debate as pub
shed in The Tribune Yesterday and saying: cheer
fully accede TO your request that you shall meet me,
alone in the discussion, far as 1t relates TO
the American Federation of Labor This letter was
sent by special messenger to President Gompers,
who in his answer spoke OF the unfarness OF Mr..
Powdcrlys proposition. and said " It is my candid
opinion that you never expected that would accept
your challenge or that, If did, would be cntrapped
into packed meeting. for which preparations have
been in progress for several weeks. You wish ne
20 play a petty character and die In the first scene
then you and the rest Of your characters arc 10
proceed to the end OF your tragedy, or farce. All
through yonr letter you palpably beray the weak
ness Of your position, and will stand before inc
general public as a pettlfoggcr desire to add tha'
any accusation ever made by me against any person
have either substantiated am willing at any time
to subsantiate.'
Mr.. Powderly did not answer this letter. and MI
Gompers sat in his Office Ill the evening.
Early I'm the evening the crowds began TO arrive
and long before O'Clock the hall was filled ana
policemen stationed at the entrance to keep out
late corners hundreds of whom went home ana Others
formed an overflow meeting and were addressed by
r. b. Mcclure, James G. Quinn, Patrick Murphy ana
Charles L. Miller from two gayly decorated trucks.
When the hall was nearly filled disturbance was
created I'm the lobby. which at one time Threatened
serious consequences. Hugh McGregor president Oh
the Sailors and Fircmens Union. accompanied
by 100 or more brawny sailors ana h'c
men, attempted to force their way INTO t"c
hall carving American Federation and trade
banners, Officers OF the Knights of Labor ihlornieu
NcGregor that trade banners would not be allowed III
the hall lie replied that he intended To carry tlc
hammers in and after they in the Knights mshI
break them up II they could. Again Mr Mouresor
was demonstrated with. but he called to ms followers
To rally round the flag" which they dd WIN chcct
and began 10 force their way TO the nan
in wedge shaped Captain hcCunash'
commanding detachment Of police from
tbe Fourteenth Precinct called upon and with
souad descended upon the luckless sailors ana uil
tremendously threw them into the street but not
without struggle
order was restored and the sailors lo'ineu
in line ard paraded 10 the headquarters .,
the American Federation Of Labor No. Il
Clinton Place, where an Indignation i'e7'ns
was hold and the action of the police and omcerS Oh
the Knights OF Labor was denounced as Nrahhica''
large force Of police was early on hand uhdes
the immediate command OF captain h'N unas'''
sergeant Shire and Roundsman Rourke. Comms-
sioners Voorhis and McClave and Inspector "lhdnS
vcrc also present ready for any emergency
Among those District Assemblies OF the hiuSh's vi
ahor represented in the audience and on the plat
form ver, Nos 40, 1877, 30. OBJ, 226 20 ana zoo
George Warner District Master Workman Oh the
Housesmiths' Assembly, presided. ana WIN III" oii
the platform were many prominent labor leaders Vi
both the knights Of Labor and the American fedeaoh
Arpnp
" HAYES John CASTILLO John Devln' Alexander
,vrh+ robn Holland George F.. Murray, Charles ROg-
~ rohn yirzincer superintendent Weber of the Barge
onicc. General O'Bcirnc, John r. MLhohahu' '"ic'
Contract Labor Inspector; Edward Conklh' Charies ~
Miller James p. Archibald. oscar Cui'er' 'oui 'uA'
vap Henry Hicks Mr. and Mrs. l. h. "'ou'ic'
wa,,.r westbrook. James Edwards. Captain Barry
Iohn J. McKenna. Garre H. a. Lyman. John y o"'oA
william Shea James Hachet'' frcue'" '
Robert Blisscrt ,.
The meeting was opened 10y Mr.. Warner, VINO spoke
briefly and then introduced 4. A. wright Oh lorop'.
n mcmbcr OF the Executive Board o. the hns''' u,
Labor Mr. Wright was received WIN applause '".
,,to hr,cnv on the subject Of labor IN general VII"
pen read President Gompers's letter to Mr. fowuerS
,,.I Ia c,,,s him a pettifogger. Mr.. Wright said
Nr Comuers would not be present, ana MS ie''cr
or,d n. answered after time This announcement
ro,sed n storm and amid cries OF W nat INC "a''S.
,rth Conner, ?" catcalls and yells several hu'ue"
uoon, left the hail. creating much confusion III inc
crowded aisrs and taxing the patience Oh Inc po"'o
rbcir places we're taken by Others
,Ir powderly was then introduced by MI warner,
r,o aid that he much regretted having TO Staio
,,,ro an audience and discuss dissensions III 'iio
orls NJ organized labor. He then proceedeu W ou
line the trouble between GomperS ana himself WV"
rc,,rcucc TO the eirhthour workday movement "o
road a number OF documents and reports Oh the pro
odircs ~ both associations aud his correspondence
bI.b
lion Ia tho question from the beginning oil 'hc dtI'@
linn He declared that every zane worAls man va,
in favor Of the shortening OF the hours OF aoo' w.,
w., form must be brought about by degrees. the
masses must be educated up To le e ;y np n
,wry 10 either employers or cmployes handil OF
men by declaring that they wonld nave an @ I
day SUg@ Of Ji the Country labor must be organized
dst and the change should DE- paSeu oH '''0 ~
In conclusion had ne i been ' false 10 the trust
S,rm his duties honestly or satisfactorily and
Eject more for their canse, he wona S,ep as'q 10
WIN man they might select lie thanked God that
he knew how follow. and keep step IN the ranks
nat" in the executive affairs Of The labor party nc
regretted that he had been forced In his reouta Ci
son@sy 9s insult Of the in khsS Of
ahor and he felt that the dignity OF the orgnniza
ION demanded that lie clear himself and them OF inc
caumnes thrown a, them sb Mnoq W ' rend they
wnnId aght on and win. They would seek no quarrel s
viii VIII s ono hut when q snarling came at Their
heels in future they would take The Weapon we, pn sat
came handle and strike that cur ifp" enemies 1en from
I}bout and within had gone by, and in future they
would he found fighting only the battles OF iao e Mr.
S,.r mo meeting In Cooper Union was over Mr.
con,ners was seen by Tribune reporter lie said:
" am sorry ] could not have met Mr r9w low e %,
oooI terms To night but now make the oner 70 heeu
NJ poyderly in debate at time or place ne may
sns,,natc The knights Of Labor and the american req
,S ~ Labor to divide the expenses OF the nal!
Mr. Powderly will answer Mr. GomperS to-oay ocio'c
he starts for the West
,,pop CONTROVERSIES IN VARIOUS PLACES.
Fall R,vcr Mass June 2O.-The labor orgahiza'
uons n, the city arc discussing the advisa)ltv OF