Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-06-02

The knights of labor, in general as
sembly at Cleveland, are laying out
enough work to keep congress and the
country busy for some years to come
and as they represents q powerful voting
element, their wishes cannot be passed
in silence. They ask o sweeping change
in the monetary system of the country
and go so far as to lay out plan for its
consummation. This plan involves the
overthrow of all banks and loaning
agencies now in the banks of private
individuals and the assumption of their
functions by the government, to the end
that capital may be vigorously en-
ployed to the benefit of the toiling
masses and that those who speculate
upon the tluctuating value of money
may be deprived of their lucrative yoca-
ton. By this step they hope to reduce tho
percentage on loans and establish low
standard of interest to which the private
capitalist must yield or permit his
hoarded millions to idly repose iu his
vaults.
Other propositions of the general as
sembly of the knights of labor are pre-
sented in the following list of demands
upon congress:
l. That patents for public lands be
given to actual settlers only.
2. That ali lands owned by individ-
usls or corporations in excess OF 160
acres, whether improved or unimproved
shall be taxed to the full value of i'm
proved land.
8. Calling for the immediate forfeit,
ure of all lands where the conditions
of the grant have not been complied
with and where they have that patents
be issued forthwith, SO that taxation
may take effect at once.
4. Calling for the removal of fences
from the public domain.
5. That after 1890 the government
shall, by purchase and right of eminent
domain, obtain possession of all lands
held by aliens.
/ 6. That after 1886 aliens shall be pro
hibited from acquiring title to lands.
| Z. Asking the abolition of all laws
requiring property qualification fo
voters.
| 8. Requesting the passage of Law
levying graduated income tax.
9. Protesting against the cutting
down of the appropriation for the labo
bureau.
10. Asking for the passage of bill
approved by the congressional labo
committee.
II. Asking for the passage of Law
prohibiting the employment OF minors II
:: q for IN fnr n
eight hours per day.
These demands are in the mail
within the bonds of reason and of utilit.
though two or three of them are of ques
!, tlonable practicability, notably the. in
come tax proposition and the proposition
for the indiscriminate passage Of al
bills proposed by the knights OF labor
Measures OF such weighty importanc
should be exposed to the light of ful
discussion and criticism, as they may b
susceptible of improvement or 1T may b
possible to demonstrate their inadvisa
bility.
In lengthy resolution the knight
demand further that election day
proclaimed general holiday, that th
workingman may have full and free cor
troll of his time and opportunity to plac
his ballot according to the dictates {
his conscience and his iudgmen
Finally the knights declare
Res0l0ed, That we hold responsible
: at the ballot box all members of col
q gress who neglect or refuse to vote
compliance with these demands.
: AS their name is legion, it is expecte
that the congressman will give heed
, their uttersnces.