The record-union., 1892-11-17
special 10 ne EEconp-UN1ox.

Special to the EEcoRD-UNIoN.
ST. Louis, Nov. l6.-At to-day's ses-
sion OF the Knights of Labor, General
Master Workman Powderiy delivered
the annual address. Among matters dealt
with was the recommendation that all the
local assem- molies should be made up OF a
mixed membership, including men and
women of all trades and occupations.
Many failures OF attempts at betterment
Of conditions in the past had resulted
from the fact that memb bers in other
trades were not acquainted with the con-
ditions of the particular trades seeking
betterment. hence We're not in a position
to sympathize and help in the struggle.
Powderly declared there were too many
labor organizations struggling for su-
premacy. The tendency Of the labor
movement seems to be to divide up.
while that OF the opposing force, capital,
was to consolidate and thereby Gain
strength i'll the fight against industry.
The result was labor was beaten in de-
tachments. Something must be done to
remedy this. There existed no reason
why every branch of toll should not be
enrolled under the shield Of the Knights
OF Labor.
The speaker congratulated the organ
lzation on the gratifying results of the
agitation for ballot reform inaugurated
by the General Assembly only a few
years ago. Then no State had a reform
ballot system. Now the secret ballot law
IS in 1orCe in thirty States. In this con-
nection, POwderly recommended that no
person be allowed to vote who could not
read MS ballot, for the reason that such
person is ut the mercy of the man who is
admitted to his booth with him to assist
him III making up his vote. His sugges-
t1on was that future date, say five years,
be hXed on for such law to 20 into force
in order to give all an opportunity to
learn to read. In view of the multiplic-
ity of laws. National state and munich
pal, being enacted, he suggested that all
should be submitted to the people fer
agitation and discussion before their
adoption.
He cited the rapid progress of Switzer-
land toward ideal democracy and asked
that committee be appointed to prepare
plan on which the agitation OF this
question may be carried on during the
coming year.
Powderly devoted much space to the
question OF immigration, saying in part:
~ our General Master " orkman has no
hesitation III saying that he faVors the
total exclusion of all immigrants not
self-sustaining on landing in this coun-
u tlE NOAlAN LA IL lGlII Ol HcdfS-lGfl
would be long enough-during which
time no immigrant should be permitted
to land with the view of remaining un-
less he could prove he had sufficient
means 10 sustain himself and those de-
pending on him for one year" lie de-
clared he saw great danger not alone to
labor but to the whole country if the inn
migration question was not carefully and
herolcally handled in the near future. 1t
was not question whether there is room
enough in this country for all the world,
but whether the influx would cause as
to lose all the benefits which we now en-
joy.
Powderly then reviewed the question
OF strikes and l0ckouts during the past
six months, lin which aggregated capital
had made such attempts to carry supreme
power which were never dreamed of be-
fore. In these strikes centralized wealth
drew the scattering fire of divided labor,
and as natural result labor lost the bat
tie. The tariff question has been widely
discussed in the late campaign, but there
is more revenue illegally drawn from
the pockets OF merchants, manufacturers
and WOrkmen in one month of the
year by the railroads and the tel
egraph than we pay in tariffs for
twelve months. The industrial organiza-
ations must consider these things and the
strike Of the future must be a strike for
the rule Of the people, They might de-
cry politics but they must be politicians
or slaves of the politicians. They must
go to the fountain head and make the
laws. Ifevery citizen of PENNSYLVANIA
knew his rights and performed his duty
intelligently under the law, no Judge
would dare TO charge treason against
workmen struggling for recognition The
battle of the future must be fought at the
ballot-bOX.'
The speaker advocated afiliation with
Farmers Alliances and other similar or
ganizations.
The report of General Secretary and
Treasurer hayes saws theinsurance feat
ure OF the order is not very successful,
owing to the lack Of support by the mem
bers. lie urges work to remedy this. The
financial sta, cement shows, including a
balance rom last year: Receipts, $50. .6I4:
expenditures, $50, 40. The membership
shows a slight increase during the wear.
There are now over 100000 members in
good standing. The order is practically
free Of debt and owns property worth
100000
Tie report of the General Executive
Committee, among other things. reviews
the trouble with the clothing manufact-
urers' combine at Rochester, n. y. and
says the boycott has been steadily and
dollars worth OF trade have been di-
verted from them.
AT the afternoon session clause pro-
viding for the establishment OF an EN-
ployment bureau by the order was
adopted. A suggestion to strike out the
platform plank providing for aggraduated
income tax was rejected, and the plank
made stronger by an amendment provid-
ing also for a tax on inheritances. Mrs
ingalls,, representing the National W. c.
i. T., made fraternal address. and q
letter was presented by Thos. Il. Wright
inviting the order to send delegates to the
Nicaragua Canal Convention at New Or