The Ottawa free trader., 1886-08-14


our ID page
LEGIeLATTON.
As tentative measures looking toward the
achievement of the emancipation of the
masses from industrial servituds, the
Knights of Labor OF Illinois invoke the aid
of legislation In carrying out the following
requests, viz:
/. They ask that the public domain be
reclaimed from all who hold it unjustly
and that laws be passed initiating against
the Individual or corporate ownership of
large tracts of land Also, that the tenden.
cy of legislation shall be to discourage the
holding of unproductive lands for specula-
! tive purposes, and T. encourage the return
to the government of the "unearned incre.
ment or land" sought to be obtained by
such holding.
,. They ask that the state and national
government shall, as far as possible, control
corporations of every Kind in such way rs
| 10 make them the servants of the people
and not their masters, and they regard the
| nited States inter. state commerce bill as "A
step in the right direction, the next step of
which should be similar bill in behalf Of
the industrial class,
i
water. ways, like the IIennepin canal, be
constructed by the general government
whenever practicable, both as a means of
regulating the cost of transportation, and as
step in the direction of the ownership Of
system Of transportation by the govern
ment.
A. They ask that over capitalization, stock.
watering, eXtOrtiOnate charges and unjust
Determinations, shall be rigidly prohibited
and promptly punished
3. They ask that a currency consisting Of
treasurer notes, silver and gold, and Ger
tifcates therefor, shall be retained, and
that its volume shall be made sufficient for
commercial and industrial pursuits, not TO
be contracted Tor the benefit of class.
q They ask that laws should be passed
and figidly enforced agains' the unrestain
ed mlniIratiOn or importation of foreign
pauper and contract labor or the manufact.
ured product Of such labor, and as far as
practicable and just, against all forms OF
| Immigration that would lower the average
of intelligence and virtue, and the standard
of comfort of the labOrers Of this country.
!. They ask that the shipping interests
of this country receive such Legislative at
tention as that our own artisans may be
employed and our own materials used in
the construction of an American navy and
vessels of commerce.
8. They ask for the establishment OF q
department of industry, presided over by a
secretary and member of the cabinet, with
commissioners of agriculture, commerce
manufacturers and labor. to the end thai
all available data may be secured and thai
the machinery may be provided that viii
assist in bringing about the intelligent and
harmonious action of all productive indus
tries in the interest of labor.
) 0. They ask for such efficient factory anC
mining laws as will assure the safety ant
health of operatives and miners. and fo
such assistance as the government cal
properly afford in shortening the hours o
labor and in securing pay for all the worE
that may be done.
TO- They ask the institution of genuine
civil service reform, SO that efficiency o
public service and not partisan political In
iluence. will be the test by which the hi
ness of the candidate for the office will b
determined. Only by such reform cal
the government become fitted to extend 1t
r functions successfully IS contemplate
, therein. :,
; II. They ask that the purity of the ballo
be inviolably preserved, and efficiently pre-
-, tected against all of Its foes. Every Ame'
. lean citizen, whatever his race, color, sec
=, or creed should be protected In his right I
= vote, and 10 have his vote counted, through
out the length and breadth Of this Ian,
1 else eur bossted self government and III
!. restained liberty of voting, Is delusio
J., and sham. ,
J, IT, They ask that our system of school
:, IN which depends more than any single Il
8 stltution the general edvcation and wei
n being of the people, shall be maintaine
;, in their efficiency; and that their iniiuenc
4, he extended by teaching therein besii'
a. the sciences, the practical business OF III
and especially a knowledge OF the laws
10 the nation, and the political and industri
b duties of the citizen and that tax boo'
shall be furnished a. public expense.