Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1897-11-17
JAMES R. SOVEREIGN


General Master workman of the Knignts
of Labor Succeeded by New Man.
louisville, KY, Nov. 14.--James R.
Sovereign, who has been general mas
ter workman 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 yester-
day afternoon relieved of his officeNby
the general assembly, which has been
in session here since Monday last.
Under ordinary conditions, Mr.. Sow
ereigns term of office would not expire
until the next meeting. This, how
ever, it is said, makes no difference
with the order, whose general officers
during a meeting are Always in the
hands of the assembly and can be
chosen and deposed at the will Of the
majority. Along with Mr. Sovereign
there were three officers retired be-
cause of this special election, viz, T. b.
Amsterdam, N. Y; Daniel Brown, of
Montana, and H. B. Martin, of Mime
sofa, members of the executive com
mittee.
Henry Hicks of New York city was
chosen to fill Mr.. Sovereigns place,
and H. D. Chamberlain of Pueblo, Col,
was selected as general worthy fore
man.. Senators Field Fitzpatrick of
Montreal, and Henry Bostock, Of AS
selnbly 800 of the Glass Workers asso-
citation. were chosen as the two mem
bers of the executive committee, the
third member being Andrew d. Best
This very decided change in the
corps of the general officers of the
knights of Labor will cause consider
able establishment in the labor circles
throughout the country. 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 unlocked for, it was done
with the amicable consent of all.
In some quarters it is limited that it
had been prearranged before the dele
gates gathered here for the general
assembly On good authority it WAS
learned that it was with Mr.. Sow
ereign's most hearty approval that he
steps down and out. 1t is likewise
with appreciation, and in fact love, for
the brethren of the order that this is
done. The same holds good with the
other officers who were relieved
Mr.. Sovereign said last night that he
wished retirement He wanted rest
from the labor which the office entailed
upon him.
Henry A. Hicks, the general master
workman-elect, was seen last night.
He said that he did not intend to out
line the future policy of the order I'M
der his administration for several days
yet. He expressed the admiration for
his predecessor, saying that he thought
him one of the greatest opponents of
the age of the prime idea represented
by the Knights of Labor.
1. d. Chamberlain, the worthy fore
man-elect, is a newspaper man.
All the business transacted at yes
terday's meeting went through in the
most amicable manner possible There
was not the slightest hitch, and perfect
brotherhood prevailed.
In the morning session the remnant
of the routine business which had been
left over was disposed Of The after
noon session was principally taken up
with the delivery of Mr.. Sovereigns
annual address, which was listened to
by the delegates with the greatest in
terest 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 triumph
of the principles of the order, saying
that it had survived the crimes of its
traitors and prospered in spite of the
contumely of its enemies. The order
he said was to-day stronger in the
hearts of the people than 1t was yea1
ago.
Must Come to Trial.