Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-23
POWDERLY REELECTED.

POWDERLY REELECTED.
Result of the Big Fight in the Knights
of Labor.
AS telegraphed to The Star yesterday,
the general assembly, K. of L., in session
at Philadelphia, stood by Powderly, who
was reelected general master workman.
The vote. as reported. was: T. v. Powderly,
70; Jas. r. Sovereign, 10; Henry Mcbride,
l.
AS the telegraphic report in yesterdays
Star announced, the financial committee
exonerated the officers from the charges
of dishonesty.
Finances of the Order.
The report of the finance committee for
the year ending June 80 says: "Our receipts
have averaged about $1,000 per week and
the expenditures slightly in excess of the
same. demonstrating that retrenchment in
some direction is imperative. The prin-
cipal sources of expense have been the sal
aries of the general officers and general
executive board, the printing department
and the general secretary treasurer's office.
There is no evidence to show dishonesty
upon the part of any officer, but we are
forced to admit that in some instances loose
business methods have prevailed.
Regarding the charges of the general
secretary-treasurer against the executive
officers We submit the following: On Feb
ruary 2s. 1893, the so-called trust funds Of
the order, viz. the benefit insurance,
Occur d. Alene. Homestead and II. f. Demp-
sey funds. amounted to total Of 50. 1883.
The total cash on hand was 81, $50 W, show
ing that up to date S26l.9I of the trust
funds had been applied to the general ex-
penses of the order. These funds, together
with the receipts from all sources. con-
tinued to be used for the purpose to the
end of the fiscal year, June 30. 1893, on
which date the balance on hand amounted
to $4,000"
Concerning the charges of extravagant
and fruitless expenditure of money by
members of the general executive board,
the committee present tabulated state
ment of the finances to show that the
charges were not well founded
With the unanimous adoption Of this re-
port the morning session closed.
The afternoon session, says today's Phila-
delphia Times. began with the offering of
resolution declaring Messrs. Powderly,
A. w. Wright and Devlin innocent Of the
charges made by Hayes.
This created even a greater sensation and
more disturbance than the debate over the
report of the finance committee.
In this fight parliamentary tactics were
predominant. The resolution was first laid
on the table, then taken from the table
and finally forced to a vote
1t was defeated by a substantial majority.
Regarded in a Different Light.
The Inquirer account, however, puts an
entirely different face upon this action. 1t
says: AS soon as the report was presented
Chairman Bishop Of the finance commit
tee introduced a resolution declaring all
the offices vacant. This said that while
the charges of dishonesty had not been
proven, it was in the interest of harmony
to have a vote on the question. At the
same time Mr.. Mcbride, one of the anti
Powderly leaders, introduced another de-
confidence +
ing that there was no lack of harmony
among the members of the board.
Had the latter carried 1t would have
been impossible to turn down Mr.. Hayes,
so Powderly's friends promptly defeated
it. Then the first resolution was carried.
The Board Condemned.
The Times continues. A resolution was
adopted condemning the action of the ex-
ecutive board for it's misuse of the funds
appropriated for the benefit of the Occur
d'Alene, Homestead and New York Central
strikers and using the names of the order
to further other private enterprises.
A motion was then made to declare all
the general offices vacant and carried amid
great excitement.
Then a motion was made to proceed to
the election of officers the first hour Of to-
days session. An amendment to proceed
and elect forthwith was offered. During
the vituperative debate on this amendment
Powderly exclaimed:
Il cannot stand the abuse of delegates"
He Herewith left the chair and called
Henry Mcbride to take his place.
The point was made that the time for re-
cess had arrived, an hour of extension that
had been granted already expiring, and
that consequently the election could not
legally be held. Chairman Mcbride ruled
against this point. The opposition say that
at this point they were trapped, as they
had played for a delay and not expecting
n adhprpntS
the motion to adjourn had left the build
ing.
The vote being taken resulted in Powder
ly's reelection by a majority of plurality,
and adjournment followed.
Before they left the hall the delegates dis
cusSed this coup de force with great ex-
element.
An adherent Of Hayes said:
''Outwitted! Too much confidence in yes
terday.'
The other side said:
I'VE knew all along we would have our
way, and We will win out"