The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-08-10

Men who found the trade union too
iind all they have sought for IN tho
knights OF Labor. on organization
founded In 1869, but which was kept
profoundly secret until the beginning ri
tho present year. One reason for keep
ing it 80 closely guarded was to shield
it's members from being discharged. m
they were 80 often In tho old trade
union.
The seed, II not properly protected, Is
easily blown away or destroyed by the
elements, but, II sufficient care Ii taken
to cover IL In planting, II takes root and
grows. The rain, wind and sunshine,
elements TINT would have destroyed II II
left exposed, now contribute 10 give II
life and strength. 80 IL was with the
knights oil Labor. Had that body been
organized openly, public opinion and
the opposition il would meet with from
other labor societies would have pre-
vented its growth. But II was properly
covered, and IL took root and grew all
over the United States, and to-day II as-
sists in molding public opinion itself, for
il controls several Of our leading jour.
nails, and need no longer fear opposition.
It teaches its members to think for them.
selves, and that a full understanding may
be arrived Mt between employer and en-
ployc. The workman aud the manninct-
urer may meet in the assembly and OK
change IDEAS. Business men meet with
working men within its folds, where they
discuss their mutual relations. The or.
ganization has adopted the motto: "That
is tho most perfect government in which
m injury to one Is the concern Of all.
Members Of isolated trade unions are be-
coming members Of the knights Of
Labor men Of ali creeds, MI rationale
ties, all occupations Except lawyers,
bankers. stock gamblers and idlers) are
admitted. The idea Is to bring within
the fold OF the organization every de-
partmcntof productive industry, making
knowledge stand point for action and
industrial and moral worth, not wealth,
the true standard Of individual and ma
tional greatness.
This association desires "the abroga.
ton Of all laws that do not bear equally
upon capital and labor; the substitution
Of arbitration for strikes; the prohibition
Of child labor; to secure for both sexes
equal pay for equal work; the reduction
OF the hours Of labor to eight per day, 40
that the lal,orer may have more time for
social enjoyment and intellectual i'm.
provcment, and be enabled TO reap tho
advantages conferred by the labor saving
machinery which their brains have cre-
ated; to prevail upon Governments 10
establish purely national circulating
medium, issued directly to the people.
without the Intervention Of any system
Of banking corporations, which money
shall be = legal tender in payment Of all
debts, public or private; the establish
lncnt Of co operative institutions, pro-
luctive aud distributive; the reserving
of the public lands--the heritage of the
pcoplc--ior actual settlers. Not another
.crc for railroads or corporations.
O.hcr reforms are sought for hy this
organization. but these are among the
principal ones. II will bc observed that
political action must be rcsortcd 10 be-
fore We can carry out these schemes.
This may lead TO the supposition that the
Knights Of Labor is n political organiza-
ton. In 30 far - il teaches it's members
that the evils they complain OF arc
brought about by bad legislation, and
| that the remedy must come through wise.
iudicions legislation, ii is political. but
not partisan. Legislation. good or bad.
affects the man who with pick, shovel
and crowbarl lays the rails. rs well - the
man who guides the engine over them, OF
the man who oerfccts the drawinazfo for the
engine. That they may take united action
when necessary, is the reason for bring
ing them within the fold Of one organi-
cation. l can hardly cnnmerate the
principal advantages and benefits 10 I've
derived from such IN associations; poll
ticians assert there exists no necessity
for an organization where political qnes-
tons are discussed. Until very lately,
workingmen entertained the same opin-
ion, but necessity has taught them that,
in order to compel politicians to perform
their duty faithfully. the people must be
educated mp to standard high enough
to enable them to judge for themselves
whether law be passed in the interests
| Of class or for the public good. Labor,
all its rights-capital, all its rights-nc
special laws or privileges for either, but
"equal and exact justice for all.