The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-17

7. V. POWDERLf.
face and as difficult problems to solve
as any Of them, patent to all who have
given the present condition OF industry
and society the attention it deserves.
Then followed review OF the vary
ing membership OF the order since its
establishment,
Continuing, Mr.. Powderly said;
"As I review recommendations pre-
sented former conventions, |, find 1t
difficult to suggest anything OF import
ance which has not been presented Tor
consideration heretofore"
After devoting some time to the con-
stitution, the speaker said:
at is the opinion Of your general
master workman that all local assem-
blieS should be made up OF mixed
membership. Each local assembly
should admit men and women of all
trades and occupations, and whom
question of vital importance TO any one
calling is to be discussed all others may
become familiar with it, and when
private matters relating to that part1-
cular occupation are to be discussed,
those not directly interested may retire.
There is no question which bears on any
trade or calling which does not bear
either directly or indirectly on all
others, and many Of the failures OF the
past can be traced directly to the door
that closed IN the faces OF men who
were excluded from participation in
discussions in which their interests
we're involved.
TOO MANY LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.
Continuing he said: "As review the
past history of the labor movement, |
am inclined to the belief that there has
boon great waste OF vital force and
means. As we look around US we sec
hundred and one new associations
having in view the granting of benefits
for accident or sickness, or insurance in
cage OF death.
"While it is true that many OF these
are swindling concerns, pure and sim
ple, it is none the less true that they
draw not alone from the Knights of La
Dor, but from all the labor organiza-
tions. It ia fact that there are TOO
many labor organizations strugglingtor
supremacy. The tendency Of the labor
movement seems TO divide up, while
that OF the opposing force, capital, is
to consolidate, and thereby gain the
strength to combat the forces OF indus
try, when, single-handed, they are ar
rayed before them. Every prominent
member OF q labor organization, who
for some reason or other has taken of
fense at something done, or who enter
tains an idea that his plan is best, sets
about organizing new society OF labor.
The only result is division Of strength,
cutting OF OF communication, isolation
and final death. These may not be pal
atable, but that they are true no one
can deny who has eyes to see and ears
to hear. 1t is not by remaining silent
of these things we can remove the evil.
Something must be done TO remedy
this error. That it is an error both Of
judgment and policy / am morally GER
tain.
SHOULD ALL CONSOLIDATE.
"There exists no reason why every
branch of toll should not be enrolled
under the shield Of this organization.
There is no reason why every interest
cannot be more carefully guarded in
this order than in separate aud isolated
camps, where We too often find them
more DlLteTly uDpOSeu 10 ouCH OLubf
than to the concentrated forces by
which all OF us are opposed. The one
CRYING need OF the hour is an organize
tion in which every interest iscared for,
in which all may meet on common
ground. in which unity OF thought
may he effected, in which u thorough
knowledge OF what important steps
each division OF labor intends taking
may be impaired to all others, and no
one man or mans interests should
stand in the way Of this reform.
"Ths members OF this organization
are to be congratulated on the crafty
ing result Of the agitation Tor ballot re-
which was inaugurated by tho general
assembly q few snort years ago. When
the question was first presented to the
general assembly, no state in the United
States held elections under laws which
would secure the voter in the right to
cast his vote without intimidation, scru-
tiny, or without subjecting himself to
the espionage OF those who might have