The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-11-02

d. Burns as a student, and for two years
he delyed into the mysteries of Blackstone
and other eminent writers upon the law.
Just before he had progressed far enough
to be admitted he was elected general mas
ter workman of the Knights of Labor
Then, as he himself phrases it, the dust
gathered upon his lawbooks. There il re-
manned undisturbed by him for the IA
years and 10 months during which he
served in the position TO which he had
been elected BY his fellow knights.
1t may be of interest to the reader to
know, and the fact Is stated with all prop
er respect for Mr.. Powderly, that when
he gave up the general master worhman's
place he was at a loss to know how to
best employ himself and his talents. Al
though during his term OF Office he was
much of the time in receipt OF large sal
arr, he did not accumulate money, and
when he retired il was evident that some
way must be found TO earn whatever iu-
come he was to receive. He had notion
at one time of going back to his trade
that Of a machinist. 1t twas also suggested
TO him thai il would be well 10 enter jour
nalisn, for he is a writer of exceptional
clearness and directness and thinker.
Both Of these ideas Were, however, dis
missed from his mind, and last January
he entered the Office Of the Hon. T. p.
Smith of Scranton, where he resumed his
law studies Now. as the telegraph has
told, he has been admitted as full tledgeG
member of the bar.
Mr.. Powdcrly's decision to adopt a legal
career has been interpreted by some as an
indication that he would no longer seek to
be active in the counsels of the order to
which he devoted SO large portion of his
life, for lawyers are among those prohibit
ed from joining the Knights of Labor.
This is true; but, according TO a very well
informed member of the order It's regula-
tons do not prohibit a knight from becom-
ing lawyer, nor do they provide for the
expulsion of such a one. They only pro-
hibit lawyer from becoming knight.
Mr.. Powderly was in the receipt of many
and sincere congratulations on the day he
was admitted by the lawyers of Scranton,
who had known him all his life, for he is
one of the most popular men of his own
town.
1t has been stated in various quarters
that it was Mr. Powderly's intention 20
remove TO New York or some other large
city in the near future, there to practice
the profession that he has now entered.
These ruInors are, am enabled to state
upon the best of authority, without foun-
dation in fact. Mr.. Powderly's home is
in Scranton. His friends are there. 1t is
there among his friends that he will do
battle in the legal arena
His decision in this matter / am in
formed, has not been made without due
consideration of all the factors in the case,
and it is understood to be final. Had he
decided upon New York as his location he
must have been readmitted to the bar
there, but that could have been managed
without much trouble, probably without
denomination, and he would doubtless
have been received with courtesy by the
lawyers of the metropolis, for they respect
him in the main quite as much as they
would if they agreed with him. The pub
lie, which closely followed his career as
labor leader, will undoubtedly watch him
closely as lawyer. i. ID. MARSHALL