Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-18
To Have the Sympathy Of the Gen.
eral Assembly, K. of L.,
AS THEY HAVE HAD ITS MONEY.
Miss Willard's Proposed Reforms to Have
Due Consideration.
ADJOURNMENT EXPECTED TOMORROW

questlons anectlng the welfare OF laborlng
men are discussed. Delegates Breitenstein,
of Laramie, Wyo., and Langan and Riley,
of Brooklyn, and T, B. Mcguire, of New
York, spoke at last nights meeting of local
Assembly 8740. The machinists of that
body are endeavoring to secure uniform
schedule of wages and wanted to hear the
views of the visitors on the best plan to
bring about that result. At present St.
Louis machinists receive wages ranging
from 81 80 to S5 day.
The salesmen of ST. Louis were addressed
by Delegates Cavanaugh of Cincinnati,
Dempsey of Pennsylvania, Robertson of
Arkansas, and Worsley of Kentucky, upon
various matters affecting the interests OF
that calling. Other delegates scattered
themselves about the city, speaking where
they thought they could do the most good,
and the result is q general revival OF in
terest among the local organizations
All the Organizations Represented Now.
James A. Wright, of the National Trades
Association, which is composed of the
cloth cutters of the United States, arrived
last night The association is connected
with the order of Knights of Labor and Mr..
Wright will take part in the deliberations
at Walhalla Hall. He Is probably the last
addition to the ranks of the visitors that
will be made.
The delegates to-day were discussing the
proposition made to the convention by the
Worlds Fair management to hold the an
nual convention of the general assembly at
Chicago next year, and take part in the
proposed Labor Congress. Charles G.
Dixon, of Chicago, representing the local
board of the Worlds Fair, extended the in
vitation to the Knights. No action was
taken, but many of the Knights are dis
posed to favor the proposal
A. w. Wright, of the Executive Board,
said to-day that there was no doubt that
the knights of Labor would take part in
the Labor Congress, whether the conven-
tion met in Chicago or not All other
labor organizations will be or have been in
vited to be present at the Congress of work
ingmen.
A Lot of Routine Business Transacted.
The greater portion of the time of the
sideration of resolutions, petitions and
other documents, and also Of the report of
the Committee ON Law. The latter
various changes in the consti-
tuition and platform OF principles of the
order. Among other things the committee
proposed the adoption of the referendum
or submission of all laws to the people
for approval before passage. An animated
discussion Of this clause was participated in
by General Master Workman Powderly
and Delegates Sovereign, of Iowa; Lucas
of Minnesota, and Martin, of Iowa. 1t was
finally decided to insert the referendum in
the constitution.
There was also a discussion over an
to strike out the demand for a
graduated income tax. The matter was
to prepare plank in the
platform demanding a graduated tax on
incomes and a tax on 1nheritances.
A clause was adopted recommending the
of free labor bureaus in each
State of the Union.
Miss Willard's Reforms Considered.
The letter from Miss Frances Willard, of
the W. c. T. o., was presented to the con-
vention by Mrs. Ingalls,, of the union, to-
yether with petitions asking the knights of
Labor to work for the prohibition Of the
sale of liquor on the Worlds Fair grounds,
the closing of the Columbian Exposition on
Sunday, the abolition of smoking cars ON
,leepers, and the prohibition of the opium
md liquor traffic. The petitions were ac-
,epted and Master Workman Powderly as
,he attention of the body.
The consideration of the report of the
Committee on Law was resumed this morn
ng and consumed the greater part of the
forenoon session of the convention. The
amendment to fix the term of Office of the
general officers one year instead of two met
With determined opposition, and after a
engthy discussion was voted down. There
vas also an animated debate over the
to increase the numbers of the
Executive Board. The board is at present
composed of four members, and a good
many delegates thought that it should have
tx. The majority OF the convention were
# the opinion, however, that the present
number was sufficient, and all motions to
Increase it were voted down.
LAST Call for Introduction of Resolutions.
The roll was called for the last time for
he introduction of resolutions, and dele
,ates were notified that under the rules
esolutions could only be introduced here
ftcr by consent of ofthree-tourths of the dele
ates. Nothing Of general interest was pre-
ented.
The convention began consideration of
he financial report this afternoon 1t will
lot be concluded before tomorrow morning.
'hus far affairs in this department are all
light. The final result of the consideration
# this report may have an effect on the
lection of officers.
1t now looks as if the Sixteenth National |
Knights of Labor Assembly would conclude |
is labors by Saturday evening. The dele
ates are endeavoring to push things so as
o be able to adjourn on that day. A. w. |
Wright, of the Executive Board, thinks, |
owever, that an adjournment cannot be |
cached until Monday evening. Officers for
ftpn nj ah.h H.
lected tomorrow morning The election
; held Immediately after the report Of the |
finance Committee is received, though
that the report has to do with the election |
an only be conjectured. The selection of
he new officers is of special interest this
ear owing the rumors that Powdealy will |
ositively decline to serve again as Grand
Iaster Workman. Should he make such
n announcement to the delegates there will
e lively scramble for his place by Dew
in, Wright, Cavanaugh and other promi-
ent members of the order.
Tonight the delegates were given q ban
uet at Concordia Hall by the members of
district Assembly No. 4, of st. Louis, and
.ouis. Covers were laid tor 300 knights.
he visiting grand officers and the more
delegates responded to toasts.
Sympathy for the Homestead Men.
There was q rumor in the corridors of the
otels, last night, to the effect that the
nights of Labor would. by means of
to be adopted before the sine die
1journment, give evidence of their SYM
athy with and support, both financial and
to the Homestead strikers.
arious district assemblies have already
iven, not only their sympathy, but fnan-
al aid. but it was not thought that the
nights of Labor would in General Assem-
ly take any such action. Several of the
o{Sn for fhar |