Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-21

prominent part in the next presidential
election.
All the labor papers claim that the
knights of Labor are now possessed of
sufficient strength to make themselves felt
as an influence in public affairs. and yield
ing to this sentiment the members of the
General Assembly will, it is said, do all in
their power to place man who, II not
himself a member of the Knights of Labor,
will at least be a thorough sympathiZer
with the cause of organized labor. in the
presidential chair after March 4, 1897.
The taking of such step In politics will
not be conflict with the principles of the
Knights of Labor, which declare that the
X. of l.. "is not a political party, 1t is
more-for in it are crystall;Zed sentiments
and measures for the benefit of the whole
people-but it should be borne in mind when
exercising the right Of suffrage that most
of the objects herein set forth can only be
obtained through legislation. and that 1t is
the duty, regardless of party, of all to as
sist in nominating and supporting with
their votes such candidates as will support
these measures
take firm stand on the subject of the gov
eminent obtaining possession under the
right OF eminent domain of all telegraphs,
telephones and railroads, and that here
after no charter or license shall be issued
to any corporation for construction or
operation of any means of transporting in
telligence, passengers or freight.
Changes In the Constitution.
1t is also expected that there will be some
important changes in the constitution. as at
the last session in New Orleans the general
executive board was directed to codify the
various amendments made from time to
time to the constitution, and to strike out
unnecessary conflicting paragraphs, and
submit the result of its work to the APP
preaching General Assembly for adoption or
rejection. 1t is thought that the assembly
will be composed of about $50 delegates,
I,,,t hiper le.fv, ito iS cot 10
point.
Origin of the Order.
The Knights of Labor now in the
twenty-sixth year of their existence. the
order having been founded by the late
Uriah s. Stephens in 1869, under the title of
the Noble and Holy Order of the knights
of Labor. Mr.. Stephens was a remarkable
man, his life work being devoted to the up
building of the condition of his fellow man.
He wanted no office. and was genuinely
modest and unassumtng man.
His aim, as he expressed it, was to free
the slaves of wages from the yoke of capt.
talism." 1t was his belief that this object
could be best obtained behind the veil of
secrecy, and 1T almost broke his heart
when under the leadership of his successor,
T. V. Powderly, the order was made public.
The Noble and Holy Order of the Knights
of Labor when Stephens was at its head
aimed at the adjustment of wage slavery
d
commonwealth.
Stephens early perceived that the pure
and simple trade union, organized to fight
the capitalist in the shop alone, was
natural enough in England, where the
workers were disfranchised originally. and
where the franchise given later was not
effectualy much freer. Accordingly the
organization which he contemplated was
economic movement for the purpose of
capturing the public powers, and with the
aid of that powerful lever to place upon
the statute books the laws that should
overthrow capitalism and free the toiling
class
The present general officers of the K. of l..
are James K. Sovereign, general master
workman; Michael J. Bishop general worthy
foreman; John w. Hayes, general secretary
treasurer: Thomas b. Mcclure. member of
the executive board; Henry L. Martin, MEM
Der of the executive board and editor of the
Journal of the knights of Labor; c. a.
French and James NJ. Kenny, members of
the executive board.
General Master Workman Sovereign.
James r. Sovereign was born at Cassyille,
Wis, May 30, 1854. His parents having re-
moved to western Missouri, he was, at the
age of two years, placed in the care of his
grar dparerts, Mr.. and Mrs. r. S. Sow
ere:gn. who lived near West Elgin, Ill. Here
he remained until the death of his grand
father, fourteen years later. Upon attain
ing ms majority he became a marble carver
and followed the trade until 1881, when he
established paper which advocated the
principles of the Knights of Labor In 1880
he was appointed commissioner of labor
statistics of Iowa, and served with great
acceptance 10 the public for four years.
General Worthy Foreman Bishop.
Michael ]. Bishop, general worthy fore
man, is a native of Brooklyn N V where
he was born May H. 1856 He is by occupa-
ton baker, but has also served as an in
surance solicitor. He served as delegate to
the general assemblies which met at Mime
apolis in 1887. St. Louis, 1892 and Philadal-
phla, 1888, and Is now concluding his second
term as OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of the state as
sembiy OF Massachusetts. He is also the
publlsher OF the Boston Weekly Index
Secretnry-Treasurcr Hayes.
John w. Hayes, general secretary-treas-
urer' first saw the light of day in Phila-
delph1a December 26, 1854. From his sew
enteenth to his twenty-fourth year he was
employed as brakeman on railroad, and
during The latter period. while he was at
tending to his duties, was thrown under q
car and had his right arm so badly mangled
as to necessitate amputation. Being of
II domitable energy he turned his attention
TO biography, and in a remarkably brief
space of time became an expert onerator
He has since 1874 been an active member
of the Knights of Labor and now has a
10
K OF l.. headquarters. by means of which
he can communicate with every part of
the world.
Executive Committee.
Thomas p. Mcclure, who is now serving
his second term as member of the execu-
tive board. is a native of New York, where
he was born December o. 1s49. He has
been active In K. of L. work since 1874
Henry B. Martin, the editor Of the off,
cial organ of the order and also member
or the executive board. is one of the most
energetic members of the organization. He
was born in Minnesota in 1861. He has
been leader in labor matters for several
years, having been a delegate 20 several
general assemblies. In 1892 he was a
candidate for secretary Of state of Mime
sofa on the populist ticket and received
1000 votes.
c. A. French, another member of the
executive board. was born in North Brook
field, Mass, April u, 1851. He has been
cd xrJt he nf 7.