THE ENTERTAINMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The members of Local Assemblies 3218, 1424 and 3714, of Denver, can feel justly proud of the success that has resulted from their effort to secure the meeting of the General Assembly at Denver and the way they have carried out the obligations they took on themselves. In order to induce the General Executive Board to name Denver as the place of meeting, they offered to pay into the General Treasury $3,000 toward the mileage expenses of the order. This of itself was assuming a heavy burden, and to this must be added the cost of entertainment befitting the West. The committee having these affairs in charge have succeeded in meeting the obligations that were assumed through their efforts in raising money and the aid of liberal friends both in and out of the order, and lack only between one and two hundred dollars of meeting all expenses. The success of the picnic given last August added greatly in raising the necessary money, over $650 having been cleared then. The following is the list and amount contributed by the friends of the order, and to whom the committee wish again to extend their gratitude : L. A. 3218, K. of L. Denver,. District Assembly 82, K. of L... City of Denver... Rocky Mountain News.. $400.00 J. Jay Joslin & Son.. Denver Brewing Co.. H. Schrasky. L. A. 3274, Evanston, Wyo... 200.00 The opening exercises were public The Republican Publishing Co. 100.00 ered by the Hon. Wolfe Londoner, Moore's Shoe House... 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 20.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 3.00 Mayor of Denver; the Hon. John L. directly or indirectly, their hearty Rout, Governor-elect of Colorado, and thanks and appreciation of their favors. the Hon. Charles S. Thomas, of Denver, and were responded to by A. W. Wright, Ralph Beaumont and T. V. Powderly. The theatre was well filled and the exercises passed off pleasantly. The regular sessions were held in the commodious hall of the P. O. S. of A., in the Haish Building, connected with the Denver University. By the generosity of the Union Pacific Railway Company, through W. H. Holcomb, vice-president, on Sunday, the 16th, the representatives were given an excursion over the famous Loop, on the C. C., and a closer view of the mountains, and into the interior of a silver mine at Silver Plume. Through an exceedingly liberal offer from the general passenger agents of the Colorado-Midland and the Denver & RioGrande roads, the committee was able to take all the representatives who could remain on an excursion to Mani tou on the 21st, the day following the closing of the General Assembly. These excursions revealed to the representatives some of the wonders of the Rocky Mountains, and from the expressions heard on all sides was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The badges furnished the representatives were of heavy satin ribbon three inches wide with the words embossed in silver leaf: REPRESENTATIVE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DENVER, COLO., The bar-pins attached thereto were made expressly for the occasion out of Colorado bullion and contained the words, in raised letters: "K. of L., Denver, Colo, 1890." The members of Local Assemblies 3218, 1424, 3214 and 2205 wish to extend to the list of subscribers to the funds raised, to W. H. Holcomb of the Union Pacific Railway, and the officials of the Rio Grande and Colorado-Midland Railroads, and all who have aided them The District Assembly proceedings have been mailed to all the delegates and local assemblies. They were delayed because of the extra work the District Secretary assumed in the arrangement for the General Assembly. This will account also for delays in replies to correspondents. Send to this office for "Thirty Years of Labor," by T. V. Powderly. Price, cloth, $2.75; red Russian leather, $3.75; morocco, $4.75. Agents wanted. A liberal commission given. All who wish to be posted on the labor movement should read this great work. This office has a fine sewing machine to send to the Magazine agent who does the best work before the close of the year. The time to compete for this has been extended to the end of December that time may be had to get in all the December collections. T. V. Powderly spoke at Omaha Nov. 25th. A. W. Wright was to speak also but was unable to reach there on time. Vol. I, No. 1, of The Federalist comes to us from Mattoon, Ill. The first issue speaks well for its future. It is published in the interest of the organizations recognizing the authority of the Supreme Council. There are but two lawyers elected to the next legislature of Idaho; one to the Assembly and one to the Senate. The people of Idaho are entitled to congratulation. The offer of a set of Dickens' Works and Mammoth Cyclopædia in our advertising pages is open to all subscribers, by the payment of a year's subscription in advance. Agents are requested to collect as soon as possible the subscriptions that are delinquent for this year. CORRESPONDENCE. NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Do not wait until the last moment to write up your monthly letter. Send it in at any time, the sooner after you read this the better. The first opportunity you have is the best time. GRAND ISLAND, Neb., Oct. 30, 1890. Editor Magazine: It has been two months since I have let you know of my whereabouts, but I have taken a few notes by the way since then. September Magazine came, but all were silent from this place. I think there are men enough interested in the work and the interest of the Magazine who live here to give you a few items last month. October came and I find "See" has given you some political points. Fair to middling perhaps, good ones, good advice as far as he goes. Few Northern soldiers like politicians who hold to principles advocated in '61 to '65 by Southerners. And that is why I presume he does not hold much to the Democratic candidate. But I'm not going to discuss political questions. Election will be over before my notes reach you, unless I do better than I have lately. Grand Island papers can do mud slinging enough without help. They all do it, all four of them. That's about all they do-trying to mud somebody's good name. I've been on the move since August, bringing up at this point several times for a day or two, and then away again. A man without a home, unless headquarters are home. But everybody talks of going home, so perhaps everybody has one. Yet in my wandering I have taken a few notes "of words they speak and things they do" along the the line of the U. P., because outside of the great companies my correspondence would call but few readers. I should have given them to you before this only for lack of time to get them ready. The first of September the re-union met here, and as it was one of the events of the year I must take it in. The old reliable U. P. put in a spur track on the grounds and a small depot to accommodate the visitors, and ran a train from Grand Island depot to this every 15 minutes, 10 cents a round trip, and I understand that during the five days they carried about 40,000 pasengers on their trains. The street cars also ran onto the grounds every ten minutes, besides lots of busses and hacks. All had work to their full capacity. The B. & M. railway had long planned a road around the city and built up to the U. P. track, but by some hocus pocus their crossing frays would not fit the U. P. rails, so they started out north near soldier's home and reached the re-union grounds for the last two days. There was a large crowd of people on the grounds. the largest I ever saw at any re-union in the state. The re-union committee agreed to furnish 1,000 tents but did furnish 1,230, and there were not less than 10 to the tent, and in many as high as high as 15. The 21st U. S. Infantry, Gen. Warren's, from Sidney, Neb., was there, also Capt. Woodruff's added much to the pleasure of the occasion. Battery of 4 guns from Leavenworth, Kas., which Many re-unions of old comrades took place; many pleasant hours were spent telling of old times. The usual programs were the order of the day. A fine company of the Sons of Veterans were present. The usual fault-finders were here, also the usual number of hogs in the shape of men. The re-union committee learned very much this year as to the convenience to be had in laying out a camp and other things and will by this experience be able to improve it much another year, as I understand the re-union is to be held here for the next four years. The political speakers were here to set forth their good qualities for offices, to tell the old soldiers what they would do, when not one of them meant what they said, provided some corporation or banker was willing to buy them, but they wanted the soldier's vote all the same. They told what they would do for the laboring man in general. They failed to tell at what price they would sell out to corporations and bankers. During the week of re-union the traveling men made a display in the city which was very fine. Well, in wandering about I found a number of K. of L. and asked them how the land lay as to their L. A. 3790, and was told it was prospering. With 60 to 70 members in good standing, and most of them good workers. Most of them I was told will stand by the labor candidates on election but few will divide among the two old parties. The sugar factory was nearly ready to start, but of this another time. My wanderings after this took me east as far as Omaha, and a return with several stops took me back again. The U. P. had made and was making some improvements by way of a new depot at Clark, and at work on one at Central City, both a credit to the B. & B. department and the company, but getting into Grand Island on No. 7 at midnight and going into the old depot to sit down is enough to set one back 25 years. Such a hole, such a disgrace and shame even to a third-class road, but the great U. P. which advertises itself as a first-class road, and in a city the size of this, doing the business it naturally must, it is a shame to the officers of the road and an insult to the traveling public. But the morning showed that they was working like the "whited sepulchre spoken of in the Scriptures." They had put up quite a respectable fence about the little parks in front of the hotel with a mill saw on top so the many railroad passenger inspectors who congregate at the depot at every train, could not roost on top of it. Credit for the fence, but what is needed is a decent waiting room for ladies. This is not fit for anyone to enter. Winding up the track the closed doors of the sugar palace showed a big failure. It didn't pay soon as they can get at it. It will be a great imfor the want of good management. provement all around. I found some improvements at the freight depot by a new transfer platform with a track both side. That is a great convenience, both to the freight men and for the handing of freight in the city. But a still greater surprise was to come when, asking for the yard master and he was shown to me, I asked about some cars that had been shipped here, and my surprise was, I got a civil answer and directions about them in a pleasant manner-a perfect gentlemen. When I had this to do under the old administration in this yard I never had a decent answer, or could I find out anything regarding them, The men who have to do business in the Grand Island yard have great reason to rejoice at the change, Surely the company has made a great improvement here. But I must leave this place for the present to some better correspondent as it will be some time before I can take notes again at Grand Island. There is lots of chance to improve here. I must take up the notes further west. ITINERANT. POCATELLO, Idaho, Nov. 6th, 1890. Editor Magazine: According to the late count Pocatello is the largest town in Idaho, and that is about all that can be said of it. It is nothing but a railroad town. nothing in the world to support it but the U. P. employes. We are blessed with 12 saloons and gambling dens and it is of these I want to say a few words. In my estimation they are the ruination of the toiling masses. Our store keepers have thousands of dollars outstanding among the people and are unable to collect it for the very reason that when these same men get their pay they visit the saloon first to pay their bill there, and many a one has never a cent when he comes out. After last pay day I went around one evening to the different dens, just to see who was there. To say I was astonished is putting it mild. There sitting around a table putting up their hard earnings on the turn of a card I saw men with whom I have been intimate for years. and whom I highly esteemed. Their eyes were red from drink, and their hands shaking. Yes, the last dollar gone and his bills not paid. He turned away from the table (they had no more use for him), and staggering over to where a friend was standing whispered, "Lend me $5 till pay day, for if I don't pay my house rent this month I will be out in the street.' This was six hours after he had been paid for his month's work. This is only one case out of a great many. In the face of the attractions our meetings are fairly attended and a good spirit prevails among the boys. We are going to try hard to bring the working men under our shield. We ought to have the very best Assembly in the District. Every department here is crowded to its full capacity. It is the intention of the company to move hotel, new depot and freight house over to the south side of the yard as The yard is not near large enongh. The switchmen are almost blocked every day in moving the immense lot of freight that comes here to be handled. The new turntable is down and the new roundhouse is going up fast. It will have 65 stalls when finished. I am not the agent for the Magazine but I have got you a few subscribers and herewith send their names. We hope to increase the subscription soon to what it used to be. It is a magazine that should be read by all employes. The November number at hand; I would say to Bro. Breitenstein, give us some more. Yours in the great cause for liberty. CHUZZLEWIT. ELLSWORTH, Kas., Nov. 10, 1890. Editor Magazine: For once I feel like saying to the Magazine readers "I told you so.' The prediction concerning the People's party was based upon a knowledge of what was going on in this state. And the prediction has been fulfilled First blood for the young People's party! Incoming returns indicate that the People's party has swept the state clean. A change all around on county officials, congressmen, legislature, and probably on governor of Kansas. Chairman Chase of the state central committee of the People's party claims the election of Willits and the remainder of the People's party state ticket. Upon returns from seventy counties now in his possession Mr. Chase computed that Willits would have a plurality over Humphrey of not less than 5,000 votes, and declared that he was absolutely confident the official count would vindicate his belief, I am gratified to say that the Ellsworth county people did their part towards the grand movement. They elected the entire People's party county ticket by a good majority. Also the People's candidate for congress, all candidates being selected out of the K. of L. and F. A. and L. U. It rained-although the election day was fair and all nature smiled-it rained ballots all day, and an unusually large vote was polled. The result in Kansas is as surprising as to have Georgia go People's party. Boasted majorities have wasted away to nothing and the arogance of the nomination-equivalent-to-an-election parties is justly rebuked by the the silent ballots of the people in their determination to re-establish a "government of the people, for the peoplee, by the people," which shall be perpetual. In this they give notice of what may be expected of them in the future. Cause for congratulation is found in the defeat of McKinley the high tariff champion in Ohio, no matter who his successor may be. And bossism is given a back seat in the defeat of Quay of Pennsylvania. I am glad of the change. Frequent changes tend to keep the government pure, and it is to the I will try and give you a few items of news in regard to how things are running at this place. The weather is decidedly chilly here now, and as there has not been any provision for heating the shops at this place, with the exception of the paint shop which has steam heaters, it gives pretty good cause for a growl. There has been two or three stoves put up in the machine shop but they have no pipes to them. So we have a little fire, plenty of smoke, and lots of swearing. But then we are better off than they are in the plaining mill and car department, for they only get the smoke from our stoves and a good chance to freeze and growl. looking after, and they will be attended to soon if this does not find its way to the waste basket. Yours for the right, MOGINTY. LARAMIE, Wyo., Nov. 16, 1890. Editor Magazine: While I could not see anything serious in "Observer's" criticisms in the October issue many others for good and sufficient reasons did. The only reasons I have for complaint is that I am often suspected like "Paddy Miles" of being to blame for much of the mischief done, as only a guilty conscience could suffer in such a case. I am not disturbed. One state legislature has finally met to spend the greater portion of its time in "caucuses" at the capital. They seem to carry out the same princi But then there is one consolation, such as it is, ple there that some of them did before they left the bosses all have good warm offices. Another great source of discontent is the nine hour racket. While some, a very few, are satisfied with nine hours and hope that it will never be more, but continue to grow less. There are a great many "kicking like a bay steer" about what they are losing on account of the reduction in their time, never thinking of the thousands who are unable to get as much a day as they claim they are losing on account of the reduction. And how I want to tell you what our general foreman says was the cause of the reduction in time here. "The Knights of Labor demanded it and the company had to grant it." How is that for high? I don't think he would have said that if he had been at La Grande shops instead of at Albina. They seem to be having quite a picnic in the car department here lately. It seems that the three Michigan brothers, tenderfeet, have captured the whole shooting match, master carbuilder and all and are running things to suit themselves, and they seem to know better how to do everybody else's work than they do theiy own. And then they have an antedeluvian in there filing saws, or it would be more appropriate to say spoiling saws. That makes it very interesting for those who have to use them. Some time ago Jim Shaughnessy, foreman in the blacksmith shop, got a lay off and went back to Chicago, and Mr. Floyd who has been foreman in The Dalles shops almost since they were started, came down and took his place, and there was great rejoicing in the blacksmith shop for they thought Mr. Floyd had come to stay; but they were disappointed. The first of this month old Jim got his place back again and very few were glad, for he is a very abusive and disagreeable man to work under. Some of the men here that have been noticed in the Magazine are making a good deal of fuss about it, and woe be unto the correspondent when they find out who he is. their homes in the interests of their constituents. They will meet in caucus, in clanish groups, but seem to fear, or dispise, the society of those who are not cast in the same mould. If their idea were as catching as the measles it might be just as well that we were shunned. I am not one of those who make any distinction between men on account of their political opinions, for I am aware that it would be just as reasonable for an Italian organ grinder to refer to Beethoven as a member of his craft as for some in either of the old parties to refer to others as being of their belief because they are Republicans or Democrats, and to those who persistently cling to these parties I merely state that it is not necessary that water to slake our thirst shall be drawn only from one or two wells. It is only necessary that water be pure and wholesome. Governor Warren in his address among other things advises the revision of the constitution. In our L. A. we have taken for our subject the Wyoming constitution for debate. We must learn to know our wants and make them known. The Knights of Labor must commence to meet and debate the leading questions of the day. Some may shake their head at this proposition for fear of going into politics, but I would rather see them shake a good argument out of it. We must keep our attention at Cheyenne for the next two months. "Eternal visilance is"still-"the price of liberty." Men or women who are worth being called such still like to wrestle with difficulty. They go out of their way to find it. There never was nor never will be any excitement in ease and safety, and without excitement of some kind we should all rust, body and mind. To correct a mistake the correction must be superior to the mistake. To dispell ignorance introduce intelligence. The best way to introduce intelligence is to freely debate those questions on which we may be divided. We have lately had two valuable accessions to our assembly in the shape of Brother Kanstiner There are a good many things here that need from the Colorado Midland and Brother Nichols |