The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-13
NR. UARTIN,
OF MINNESOTA,
The Step, While Entirely Unexpected, Is Said to
Have Been AmiCable.
Henry Hicks, of New York. the New Head of the Order
-Soveregn's Annual Address.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Nov. 12-James
r. Sovereign, who has been general
masterworkman of the Knights Of
Labor for the past four years or more
and who, before and during that time,
has been one of the ablest champions
of the order and its doctrines, was this
afternoon relieved of his office by the
general assembly, which has been In
session in this city since Monday last.
Under ordinary conditions Mr.. Sover-
eign's term of Office would not expire
until the next meeting. This, however,
it is said, makes no difference with the
order, whose general officers, during
meeting, are always in the hands of
the meeting and can be disposed at the
will of the majority. Along with Mr..
Sovereign three other officers were re-
tired because Of the special election,
viz: B. c. Mcguire, general worthy
foreman, of Amsterdam, and Daniel
Brown, of Montana, and H. B. Mar
tin, of Minnesota, members Of the ex-
ecutive committee. Henry A. Hicks,
Of New York District 253 New York
city, was chosen to fill Mr.. Sovereign's
place, and l. D. Chamberlain, of
Peublo, Colo, was selected as general
worthy foreman. Barsf1eld Patrick. Of
Montreal, and Henry Bosteck, of Glass
Workers Assembly No 800, were chos-
en- as the two members of the executive
board, the third member being Andrew
D. Best.
This very decided change in the
corps of general officers of the K. of L.
will cause considerable astonishment
in labor circles throughout the coun-
try. Save to those who were on the
inside, so to speak, for the past three
months, there was absolutely nothing
of this known. 1t is said, though the
change was sudden and totally un-
looked for, it was done with the AMIGA
BILE consent of all. In some quarters
it is limited that it had been prear-
ranged before the delegates gathered
in this city for the general assembly.
On good authority it is learned that it
was with Mr.. Sovereign's most hearty
approval that he steps down and out
It is likewise with the appreciation
and, in fact, love of his brethren Of
the order that this is done. The same
holds good with the other officers who
were relieved. Mr.. Sovereign stated to-
night that he wished the retirement.
He wanted rest from the labor which
the office entailed upon him.
Henry A. Hicks, master workman
elect, was seen after the meeting. He
said that he did not intend to outline
the future of the order under his ad-
miniStration for several days yet. He
IT, Hon
his predecessor, saying that he thought
him one of the greatest exponents of
the age of the prime idea represented
by the K. of L. 1. d. Chamberlin, the
worthy foreman elect, is a newspaper
man.
All the business transacted at to-
days meeting went through in the
most amicable manner possible. There
was not the slightest hitch and perfect
brotherhood prevailed. AT the morn
ing session the remnant of the routine
business which had been left over was
disposed of. The afternoon session
was principally taken up with the de-
livery of Mr.. SOvereign's annual ad-
dress, which was listened to by the
delegates with the greatest interest
and greeted with enthusiasm.
Mr.. Sovereign prefaced his address
with the statement that the opening
of this regular session of the general
assembly presents to the world the
same undismayed membership through
whose fortitude and courage the spirit
of progress combats greed and avarice,
and defes the cant and hypocrisy of
the age" He then dwelt briefly on the
triumphs of the principles Of the order,
saying that it had survived the crimes
of it's traitors and prospered in spite
of the contumely of it's enemies. The
order, he said, today was stronger in
membership, stronger in character and
stronger in the hearts of the people
than it was a year ago. He recon-
mended that this session confine it's
deliberations largely to the work of
organization, and to this end plans
should be put in operation which will
insure the service of the largest pos
sible number of experienced and eff
ficient organizers in isolated and un-
organized fields The work of whole
sale reform in the labor field, he con-
tended, is retarded through the CO.
ercion and corruption of the poor by
the holders of idle capital, who domi-
nate the press and debauch the poll
cies of the country, while the courts
apply the arrogant lash of despotism
in the form of injunctions against the
freedom Of speech and peaceble assem-
blage of the poor.
"The ST. Louis conference" he said,
was a united labor protest against
the most f1rgrant outrages ever COM
mitted against civil liberty in this
country 1t was the vox popui of an