Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-19
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR
Resolutions Condemning the Decision of
the Supreme Court
Canadian Knights Want Separation
A Pittsburg AssembIy's Loyalty
to the Order.


session in general assembly today in Me
chanics' Hall. Last evening General Mas
ter Workman Sovereign sent a telegram of
sympathy for the general assembly to the
Housesmiths and Bridgemans Union, on
strike in New York city, and a telegram
was read this morning from the president
of that union, F. P. Larry returning thanks
for.the assurance of support and declaring
that the union sure of victory.
A telegram was also read FROM Simon
Burns. president of District Assembly, No.
800 of Pittsburg, as follows: Extend to
the general assembly my desire for their
success. hoping nothing win prevent the
progress retard the growth of the
knights of Labor
The Significance of this dispatch lies In
the fact that it has been claimed for many
months that No. 300 had withdrawn from
the Knights of Labor with its 5000 men,
bers in consequence of the disaffection
caused by Past General Master Workman
Powderly. The committee on laws, having
the floor, yielded at this point to General
Master Workman Sovereign, who offered
the following resolution:
Conaemning u Decision.
Whereas, the Supreme Court of the
United States has affirmed the decision of
Judge Ross, which decision raised mis-
demeanor TO a felony and sentenced four
Union & Los Angeles to prison for eighteen
months and
Whereas, the decision of the United
States Supreme Court affirming the decision
of Judge Ross places all labor organizations
in the role of criminal conspiratorS, and
Whereas, said decision afiirms that a
greater penalty can be imposed for con-
spiracy to do away with crime than Is i'm
posed by law for the crime itself.
Resolved, That this general assembly do
most earnestly protest against such tray
esty on Justice and outrage on the liberties
of the people. and condemn said court for
its partial ruling in the interests OF the
plutocratic classes and its infringement of
the constitutional right of the laboring peo-
ple.''
The committee on laws then presented a
proposition. the effect of which was to COM
pei district assemblies composed of local
trade councils, to attach themselves TO the
national trade assemblies of their special
trade After two hours debate the amend
ment, failing to receive a two-thirds VOTE
was rejected. When the hour for adjourn
nient came at l o'clock, proposition was
pending to give the Canadian Knights OF
Labor a separate national board. which, IN
effect. would make the order in Canada in
dependent entirely of the general assembly
of the Knights Of Labor of the United States.
Sympathy for Cuba.
The assembly adopted, after some debate
the following resolutions in regard to Cuba:
Whereas the Cubans are at present en-
gagged in a struggle to achieve their indie
pendence against an alien and tyrannical
government; and
Whereas the developments of the contest
have made 1t obvious that the native forces
cannot possibly be subdued. and that fur
tier continuation of the present status will
only tend to deepen the general misery all
over the island of Cuba: and
Whereas we as citizens of the foremost
republic of the world should at least be will
ing to see that all men fighting for liberty,
for the land of their nativity, and their own
deliverance from foreign oppression should
have fair and equal chance to meet their
opponents in open warfare: therefore. be it
Resolved, That the general assembly of
the knights of Labor. representing every
section of the continent and all conditions Of
humanity. does hereby declare itself as in
Cubans as belligerents.
Matters of Detail.
A proposition was presented from Dis
trict Assembly No. 221 of Northeastern
Texas. to extend to all members who have
attended meetings regularly for twelve
months and been faithful In the discharge
of their duties eligibility to receive the
archeon or second degree of the order 1t
was defeated and the constitution remains
unchanged.
The charter fee was reduced from $l5 to S.
the local assembly to pay the expenses of
the organizer. The general master work
man was directed to send a telegram of SYM
pathy to the housesmiths' and building
mems unions. now on strike in New York
against the Iron League, or order of bosses
Section ISL of article 81 was amended to
a local assembly that has lapsed or ceased
to work. to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business looking toward the
revival Of the assembly.