The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-26
The General Master Workman Leaves
the Hall of the Assembly After
rendering His Resignation.
COULDN'T HAVE HIS OWN WAY
His Opponents Wanted to Name
the Executive Board,
And We're Successful Against the Pro-
tests of the Leader-Status of the
Lehigh Valley Railway Strike.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 25.-T. V. Pow
derby resigned his position of general mas
ter workman of the knights of Labor this
afternoon. He was unable to Keep the del
egates in the line he had
marked out for them, and this
decisive move seemed the only one
left for him to adopt. Immediately after
his resignation was offered ne left the hall,
as he said. to attend to some personal bust
ness. This step was a surprise 10 all the
delegates, although a few of them said it
was what he should have done long ago.
No action was taken on the matter, al
though it was the topic a of discussion
which lasted until the assembly adjourned
at 5 O'Clock.
The causes which led to the resignation
are as follows: After Mr.. Powderly had
been repeatedly urged by the assembly to
substitute a new list of names for men,
hes of the executive committee he acqui-
esced in these demands. The second list
was not much more favorably received
than the first one, but he was most per-
sistent in his efforts to have it accepted.
Mcclure, of New York, was the only one
elected, and the assembly adjourned yes
terday without getting any further along
To-day the fight was begun with a new
vigor. Every point raised by the general
master workman was stubbornly fought by
his opponents. Still there was no result.
In the afternoon new life seemed to have
been instilled in to the anti-Powderly fac
ton, and they began to elect a board that
would best suit them. The first man chosen
in this way was II. 3. Martin, OF District
Assembly 791, who got a majority vote of
"a; james NJ. Kenny, of District Assembly
81, got a vote of %, and j. A. McGuirk, of
Washington, polled % votes, a bare ma
jority.
Mr.. Powderly's efforts to nave his slate
considered was all in vain. He was almost
f~ruitless in his endeavor to impress upon
the assembly that he was only exercising
the powers his office gave him. He wanted
his appointees elected. His opponents told
him he had misconstrued the meaning of
the constitution. This only added fuel to
flames. Mr.. Powderly would not accept
the committeeman the delegates had elected.
He declared their elections Illegal.
Then the climax came. The defeated lead
er spoke with remarked ole clearness as he
said: Gentlemen, you must either obey
the spirit of the constitution or declare the
office Of grand master workman vacant. 1
now tender you my resignation With
IAldl ne CIT III Aicli. All dtlCSdtSS were
more than surprised. They were astounded.
The subject was discussed in all it's phases.
Would they accept it or would they not?
While they were talking it over the hour
arrived for adjournment.
Mr.. Powderly was asked tonight if he
had really resigned.
when L was wroth TO stem the tide that
was bearing some of the men and truest of
the order downward" he replied, II told the
delegates that they must either declare my
Office vacant or accept my resignation, as I
would no longer serve. In a day or two I
will make a statement, but at present /
don't feel that L should do so. When 1 left
the hall it was to attend to some private
business"
Nearly all the delegates are suffering from
severe attacks of cold, and Secretary-treas-
urer Hayes was considered extremely i'll to-
night. The heads of both factions are,
therefore, practically out of the way for the
time being.
nation is still in doubt, some talk as to
his probable successor is being freely in
dulged in. Sovereign, of Iowa, and
Mcclure, of New York, are those most
prominently named, with the former some
what in the lead