Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-11-26

PHILADELPHIA, PA, November %o'-4'
V. Powderly resigned his position as Cen
eral Master Workman of the K. OF L. this
afternoon. He was unable to keep the
delegates in the line he had marked out
for them. and this decisive move seemed
to be the only one left for him to adopt.
Immediately after his resignation was
offered, he left the hall, as he said, to at
tend to some personal business. This step
was a surprise to all the delegates al
though many 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 of discussion
which lasted until the Asse mbly adjourned
at o'clock. The causes which led up to
the resignation are as follows:
After Mr. Powderly had been repeatedly
urged by the Assembly to substitute a new
list of names for members Of the Executive
Committee, he acquiesced in these de-
mands.
THE SECOND LIST
was not much more favorably received
than the first one, but he was more persis-
tent in his efforts to have IL accepted. Ma
guire, 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 new
vigor. Every point raised by the Master
Workman was stubbornly fought; still no
result. In the afternoon new life seemed
10 have been instilled into the anti-Pow-
derly faction, and they began to elect
board that would best suit them. Inc
first man chosen in this way was n. b.
Martin, of District Assembly 75l, who got
majority vote Of Al, James Mchenna, OF
District Assembly 81, got vote OF Al. and
j. A. McGuirk, of Washington, polled -
votes, bare majority.
Mr. Powderiy's efforts TO have his State
considered were all in vain. He was al
most fruitless in his endeavor to impress
upon the Assembly that he was only eXer-
cising the powers his Office gave him. He
wanted his appointees elected. His oppo-
nents told him he had misconstrued the
meaning OF the constitution. This only
added fuel to the flames. Mr. PoWderly
would not accept the committeeman the
delegates had elected. He>declared their
elections illegal.
THEN THE CLIMAX CAME.
The defeated leader spoke with remark
able clearness as he said:
"Gentlemen, you must either obey the
spirit of the constitution or declare the OIL
fee of Grand Master Workman vacant. l
now tender you my resignation"
With that he left the ball. All delegates
were more than surprised. They were as.
founded The subject was discussed in all
its phases. Would they accept II, or would
they not? While they were talking 1t over
the hour arrived for adjournment
Mr.. Powderly was asked tonight II he
had really resigned.
"When was wroth to stem the tide that
was bearing some of the men andtrust
of the order downward" he replied, ~
told the delegates that they must either de-
clare my office vacant or accept my resig-
nation, as l would no longer serve. In
! dav or two l will make statement, but at
present do not feel that / should do So
| When | left the hall it was to attend TO
some private business"
Nearly all the delegates are suffering
| from severe attacks of cold, and Secretary
Treasurer Hayes was considered extreme
ly i'll tonight. The heads OF both factions
are therefore practically out OF the way
| for the time being
While the outcome of Powderly's resig-
nation is still in doubt, some talk as to his
probable successor is being freely INDUCED
in. Sovereign, of Iowa, and Mcclure, OF
New York, are those most prominently
named, with the former somewhat in the
lead.