The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-17

n ".
~ hetterment of conditions in the past
h.d resulted from the fact that the MEM
h.rs in other trades were not acquainted
nth the conditions of the particular
,,.dss seeking betterment, and hence were
,ot in A position TO sympathize and help
i, the struggle. Powderly declared that
a. many labor organizations were strug-
.,;ns for supremacy. The tendency of the
i.bor movement seems to be to divide up,
rhile that of the opposing force. capital,
RS to consolidate, and thereby gain
strength in the fight against industry.
The result was that labor was beaten in
de,.chments. Something must be done
a remedy this. There existed no reason
n, every branch of toll should not be
.usoled under the shield Of the Knights
q Labor.
The speaker congratulated the organiza-
lion in the gratifying result of the agita-
ton for ballot reform inaugurated by the
e,nsrsl assembly only a few years ago.
Inn no state had the reform ballot sys-
teu and now the secret ballot law was in
feuin thirty states. In this connection
posdely recommended that no person be
allowed to vote who could not read his
heAct fg the reason that such a person
vsnshe mercy of the man admitted to
IL both with him to assist him in max
yphis vote. His suggestion was that
future date, say tive wears, be fixed on
Jbfsaeh law to go into force, in order to
Eses an opportunity to learn TO read.
10 view of the multiplicity of laws, ma
toasl, state and municipal, being enacted,
kssuggested that all should be submitted
othe people for agitation and discussion
before adopted, cited the ragid progress of
Switzerland toward an ideal democracy,
md asked that a committee be appointed
bpepare plan on which an agitation Of
this question may be carried on during the
coming year. Powderly devoted much
space to the question of immigration, say
hsin part:
Your general master workman has no hesita-
6on In saying that he savors the total exclu-
non Of al! immigrants not seli-sustaining on
landing In this country. He would fix a term
Il years-ten would be long enough-during
which no immigrant should be permitted to
knd with a view to remaining unless he could
Tove be had sufficient means to sustain him.
ell and those depending on him for one year.
h nw great danger to the labor OF the whole
ecunsry If the immigration question was not
asefuily and heroically handled in the near
future 1t is not a question whether there is
nom enough in this country for all the world,
but whether the influx would cause Us to lose
81 the benefits which We now enjoy.
Powderly then reviewed the question of
the strikes and iockouts during the past
nix months, in which aggregated capital
had made such attempts to carry the sup
port Of power as were never dreamed of
before In these strikes centralized wealth
drew the scattering fire of divided labor,
and Is natural result labor lost the bat
tie. He said:
The tariff question has been widely discussed
In the late campaign, but more revenue has
pesn illegally drawn from the pockets OF mer-
ehanth manufacturers and workiugmen In one
month oil the year by railroads ana telegraphs
wan We pay In tariff for twelve months In
saariM organizations must consider these
uiass' and the strike of the future must be a
ssas ior the rule OF the people. They might
~ poiitics, but they must be politicians or
.as Mfss OF politicians They must go TO the
'oaniaa head aud make laws. II every citizen
nansylvsnis knew his rights and performed
IN a:iss int ligently under the law, no Judge
seaa aare TO charge treason against workmen
sssaxnhs Tor recognition. The battle of the
'a'aN must BE- fought NJ the ballot box.
Inc speaker advocated utilization with
1efarmers' Alliance and other similar
EXAMINATIONS
ihe report of General Secretary and
.'sasufsr Hayes says the benefit insurance
.'ssa'e OF the order was not very success
III owing to lack Of support by the men,
em lie urged the workingmen 10
remedy this. The financial statement
saoss including the balance from last
var, receipts of $60.6.4. and expenditures
u NS,ii3 The membership shows a
ash' increase during the year, and there
@e now over TO 600 members in good
auhs. The order Is practically free of
~, a"u owns property worth $4,000.
gag report OF the general executive COM
. 'ee' among other things. reviewed the
Noaole with the clothing manufacturers
s'nao'ne at Rochester, \. Y. and SAYS the
soo' mas been steadily aud effectively
secased and millions on dollars of trade
1''ef'ed from them.
~ 'he afternoon session a clause WAS
wiped providing fo- the establishment
employment bureau BY the order.
suggeshon 10 strike ont of the Mat
.'a 'ee plank providing for graduated
=. ss was rejected, and the plank
,a,s ''a'ie stronger by an amendment pro-
also Tor tax on !nheritances. Mr..
m representing the National ". C.
!, -. nisde trate7nal address, and a let
a,'. presented by Thomas 4. Wright
Ha Ne tue orte- 70 send delegate TO
nicaragua cana. convention.
"""dmen's Convention.
Ne cn' Nov. l6.-At to3ay's session of
Nalnp OF MnAcrn Mcn.llnar L. -