Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-04-10


Knights of Labor Platform.
The alarming development and aggressive
mess OF great capitalists end corporations, un-
less checked, will inevitably lead to the pau
leHzation and hopeless degradation OF the
telling masses.
1t ia imperative, II we desire to enjoy the
full blessings or life, that q check be placed
upon unjust accumulation and the power
for evil VI aggregated wealth.
This much desired object can be accom-
plished only by the united Efforts Of those
who obey the divine Injunction: I'm the
sweat OF thy face shalt thou eat bread"
Therefore We have formed the Order Of the
Knights OF Labor, for the purpose OF organ
izing and directing the power OF the indus
trial masses, not as a political party, for 1t is
more-in It are crystaiized sebtime nts ana
measures for the bt N. fit Of the whole people,
but It should be borne In mind, when e1er-
clsing the right OF suffrage, that most Of the
objects herein set forth can only be obtained
through legislation, and that 1t is the duty of
all 70 assist In nominating and supporting
with their votes only such candidates as will
pie dye their support TO these meas ures, re.
gardiess OF party. But no one shall, however.
be compelled TO vote with the majority, and
calling upon all who believe In securing "the
greatest good to the greatest NUMBER to
join and assist US, W. declare 70 the world
that are aims are:
/. To make industrial and moral worth, not
wealth, tho true standard Of individual and
National greatness.
mept Of the wealth they create, sufficient Ieis.
ure In which 10 d, velop their intellectual
moral aid sotial faculties; all OF the benefits
recreation and pleasures Of association I'm q
word, TO enable them 10 share In the gains aud
honors OF advaI cling civilization.
In order tn aaerr a fhpaa raculsn xa dfpnapJ
at the hauds OF the STATE
III. The establishment OF Bureaus of Labor
Statistics, that We may arrive az a correct
KNOWLEDGE OF tbe educational, moral and fnan.
cial condition o the ~laboring masses.
Nv. That the public lands, the heritage OF
the people, be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads 81 d SPECTATORS, and
that all lands now held for spt culstiye Dur
poses be taxed 10 their full value.
V. The sbrogation II all laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor, and the
REMOVAL OF unjust technicalities, delays and
determinations In the administration Of ius-
tice.
vi. The adoption of measures providing for
the health and safety OF those engaged IN man
utacturing and mining, building industries,
aud FOR The decentralization Of those engaged
therein for IL juries received through lack of
necessary safeguards.
VII. The recognition by incorporation, of
trades unions, orders and such other a~ssccla-
lions as may be organized by the working
masses to improve their condition and protect
their rights.
VIII. The enactment of laws to compel cor
porations 10 pay their employees weekly, IN
lawful money. for the labor OF the preceding
week, and giving mechanics and laborers u
fret lien upon the product Of their ,abor to the
full extent OF their wages.
TX. The abolition Of the contract system on
National, State and Municipal works.
\ The enactment OF laws providing for ar
bitration between employers and employed
and 10 enforce the decision OF the arblJrat.rs.
ri. The prohibition by law OF the employ
ment OF children under fifteen years of age in
workshops, mines Ind factories.
XII. To prohioit the hiring out Of convict
labor.
XIII. That q graduated income tax be
levied.
And We demand at the hands OF CONGRESS-:
XIV. The establishment OF a National none.
tary system, In which a circulating medium in
necessary quantity shell issue direct 10 the
people, without the Intervention OF banks;
that all the National issue shall be full legal
tender In payment of all debts, public and
private; and that the government shall not
guarantee or recognize any private bs nks, or
create any banking corporations.
XIV. That tnterest-bearing bonds, hills Of
OF credit or notes shall never be Issued by the
government, but that when the need arises,
the emergency shall De met by issue of Legal
tender, non-interest bearing money.
XVI. That the importation OF foreign labor
under contract be prohibited.
That, In connection with the post
Office, the government ehall organize financial
exchanges. safe deposits and facilities for de-
pos,t OF the savings OF the people In small
sums.
XVIII. That the Government shall obtain
possession, by purchase, under the right of
eminent domain, OF all telegraphs. telephones
and railroadf, and that hereafter no charter or
iicAnaA ha tssnAd tn sry corporation fo- con.
atruction OF operation OF any means OF trans
porting intelligence. passengers or freight.
And while making the foregoing demands
UPON The State and National Government, we
wiz endeavor to associate our own Lahore:
XIX. To establish cooperative institutions
such rs will tend 10 supersede tho wage sys.
tenn, oy the introduction Of q cooperative in
XXX To secure for both sexes equal pay for
eousl work. wa
XXI. To shorten the hours of labor by q
general refusal 10 work for more than eight
hon~a. 800
XXIL To persuadc employers TO agree 10
a~roitrate al differences witch may arise be-
tween thsm and their EMPLOYEES, In order tha,
The bonds OF svmpa,hv between them NAV b,
strengthened and that strikes may bs rem
dered unnecessary.
SIG