The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-11-17
Unexpected Change Made in the
Leadership of the Knights
of Labor Organization.
TOOK THE MEETING BY SURPRISE,
But Was Done Amicably and with the Late
General Master Workman's Full APP
proval-Hicks the New Chief-Other Of
fetal Changes-Sovereign's Address Gives
the Press. the Courts and. the Capitalist
Hail Columbia, SO To Speak.

the Press, the Courts and the Capitalist
Hail Columbia, so to speak
Louisville, Nov 13.-James r. Sover-
eign. who has been general master work.
man 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 it's
doctrines was yesterday afternoon re-
lieved Of his office by the general assem-
bly, which has been in session in this city
since Monday last. Under ordinary con-
ditions Sovereign'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 a meeting are always in the
hands of the assembly and can be chos-
en- and disposed at the will of the ma
jority. Along with Sovereign there were
three other officers retired-T. b. Nc
CURE. general worthy foreman, and
Daniel Brown and III. b. Martin, men,
bers of the executive committee.
Hicks Put in Sovereign's Ploce.
Henry A Hicks, of New York city,
was chosen TO fill Sovereign's place. and
l. ID. Chamberlain. of Pueblo, Colo. was
selected as general worthy foreman.
Sarsfield Fitzpatrick, of Montreal, and
Henry Bostock, of assembly 300, glass
workers, were chosen as the two men,
bers Of the executive board, the third
member being Andrew -. Best. This
very decided change in the corps Of gen.
eral officers of the Knights of Labor will
cause considerable establishment in 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.
On good authority it is learned that ii
was with Sovereign's most hearty ap-
prevail that he steps down and out. The
same holds good with the other officers
who were relieved.
Admires His Predecessor.
Henry A. Hicks 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.
All the business transacted at yester-
days meeting went through in the most
amicable manner possible. In the NOM
ing session the remnant of the routine
business which had been left over was
principally taken up with the delivery Of
Sovereign's annual address, which was
listened to by the delegates with the
greatest interest and greeted with en-
thusiasm.
Declares the Order Is Flourishing.
Sovereign prefaccd his address with
the statement that the opening of this
regular session Of the general assembly
presents to the world the same un-
dismayed membership through whose
fOrtitude and courage the spirit of
progress combats greed and avarce and
defies the cant and hypocrisy of the
age" lie then dwelt briefly on the
triumphs Of the principles Of the order,
saying that il had survived the crimes
Of its traitors and prospered in spite of
the contumely of its enemies. The or
der. he said, was today stronger in
membership. stronger in character and
stronger in the hearts of the people than
ii was a year ago. He recommended
that this session confine it's deliberations
largely to the work of organization, and
that to this end plans should be put In
operation which will insure the service
of the largest possible number Of ex-
perienced and efficient organizers in iso
lated and unorganized fields.