Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-11-18
SOVEREIGN RETIRED.
Knights Of Labor Elect New Gen.
eral Master Workman.
mr.. SOVERElCy'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
The Great Miners strike and the Court In
functions Reform In the Labor Field
Retarded by Holders Of Idle
Capital

LOUISVILLE, KY, Nov. 1S.-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 yes
terday afternoon relieved Of his office
by the general assembly, which has
been in session in this city since Mon
day last. Under ordinary conditions
Mr.. Sovereign's term Of office would
not expire until the next meeting
This, however, 1t is said, makes no dit.
ference with the order, whose general
officers during meeting are alwaysin
the hands Of the assembly and can be
chosen and deposed ut the will Of the
majority. Along with Mr.. Sovereign,
there were three other officers retired
because Of this special election, viz;
T. b. Mcclure, general worthy fore
man, Of Amsterdam, N. Y, and Daniel
Brown, Of Montana, and II. B. Martin,
OF Minnesota, members OF the execu-
tive committee Henry A. Hicks, OF
New York, was chosen to fill Mr.. Sow
ereign's place and l. D. Chamberlain,
OF Pueblo, Col, was elected as general
worthy foreman. Sanfeld Fitzpatrick,
Of Montreal, and Henry Bostock, OF as
sembly 800, glass workers, were chosen
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 Knights
Of Labor will cause considerable aston
ishment in labor circles throughout
the country. Save to those who were
on the ''inside,' SO to speak, for the
past three months, there was absolute
ly nothing Of this known. 1t Is said,
though the change was sudden and to-
tally unlocked for, it was done with
the amicable consent Of all. In some
quarters IT is limited that 1t was prear-
ranged before the delegates gathered
in this city for the general assembly.
On good authority 1t 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
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-clect was seen after the
meeting. lie said that he did not in
tend to outline the future policy OF
the order under his administration for
several days yet He expressed the
highest 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 ], D. Chamberlain, the
worthy forcman-elect, Is newspaper
man.
The afternoon session was princl-
pally taken up with the delivery OF
Mr.. Sovcreign's annual address, which
was listened to by the delegates with
the greatest interest and greeted, with
enthusiasm. The work of wholesale
reform In the labor field, Mr. Sovereign
contended, 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 politics
of the country, while the courts appl,
the arrogant lash of despotism in thu
injunctions against the freedom o
speech and peaceable assemblagc o
the poor Mr.. Sovereign took as hi
theme the great miners strike, il
which, he said, the knights had
large membership directly involved
He said in part
That great struggle was n test between IN
dcrpaid, half-starved labor and arrogan
greedy coal barons II was u strike born
hunger and necessity ind appealed to oil IN
higher impulses Of humanity, On the side Q
Ill. t,nl Ia nI,u " and philnutn rDl