The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-11
THE KNIGHTS AND POLITICS.
The Kind Of Party That Will Be Organized
After Awhile.

1ne hinO Oh Party Th8c VIII BE organized
After Awhile.
New York World.
'sWe do not think that the times are vet ripe
for distinctive labor party in this country"
said an active member of the order although
we look forward to the time when there will be
such party In our declarations of principles
we make certain demands of the State and Ma
tional Legislatures which, if unheeded, may
compel US to take part in politics as an organi-
cation. Neither the Democratic nor Republican
party is willing to adopt some Of our principles
They are too radical. or Socalstic if you will.
This fact will sooner or later bring to pass the
formation of new party. But the masses will
have to be first educated up to those principles.
This is understood by the chiefs of the order, as
this official statement, recently issued by T. v.
Powderly, general master workman and Freder
ick Turner, general secretary treasurer, will
show" The Knight handed the reporter the
following:
''The impression has gone abroad that the
knights of Labor is a political organization to
last through campaign or something Of that
sort. If any one joins the order under this i'm
preston he is mistaken.
LAS an order, we have higher mission to
serve than the forming of mere political party.
vii see that while we are seeking reforms that
must in some instances come through the ballot
bos@ yet by far the highest motive that concerns
US is the education Of the masses to that point
where they will fully see and know not only their
own wrongs and degradation, but see full and
final solution of the labor problem and when
this is attained, each will see clearly for himself
in his own way, the only path that leads to liberty
and equality When this advanced point is once
attained then will the party that is to carry the
desired measures to success be evolved. 1t will
be evolved slowly and impreceptibly almost
But that such will be the final outcome of organ
iZation and education, is the silver lining Of the
cloud that now lowers so threatenipgly above u.s.
When such party does come, its name will not
be the laooring mans party, or the bondholders
party, but the party of the people, for the peo-
pie and by the people.
"a party refusing to receive special privileges.
or grant them
IA party that will not sit idly by and do moth
ing or worse than nothing. when thousands and
5xe 1.sCis of thousands of honest men are tramp
ing our streets, wanting work. willing to work,
and none to be had at any price-without en-
ployment at home, and tramp act threatening
them II they dare to seek it at distance
"a party that will not permit set of politi-
clans to SO manipulate the finances of the coun-
try that lO,478 business men in one year
thrown upon the streets penniless and without
home, at a l0ss to the country of 1924, 383, 1872,
involving 693, 420 traders, or in other words,
catching one business man out of every sixty
four.
IA party that will declare in tones of thunder
just what kind of metal or paper shall constitute
the money of this country, and thereby prevent
a lot of shyOcks and sharpers of all descriptions
from declaring that one kind of money is worth
81 90 and another almost worthless, yet all the
money of the people
"a party that will demand and establish labor
bureaus.
MA party that will declare and enforce law
declaring that not another foot of public lands
shall be given to railroads and corporations.
IA party that will insist upon exact equality
before the laws.
IA party that will be humane enough to be-
lieve that pure air should and must be found in
mines and factories, if scientific research can
devise ways and means for providing it, and
that all buildings where men are employed are
well supplied with fire eescapes and other means
of safety
IA party that will abolish the contract system
on all work done for the people for the use of the
public.
IA party that believes, if we are to have free
country, that it can only exist by reason of the
intelligence of its citizens and if intelligence is
to be the base Of our continued existence, the
child must be educated and fitted for the posi-
tion he is to occupy in the future. This can only
be done by prohibiting children from going into
our workshops and mills before attaining their
fourteenth year.
IA party that will not confne man in prison
because he is unfit to associate with his fellow
iuoh, duO tuoH taA tuo COmIuuulty tO DOdrO anu
lodge the criminal free and sell his labor so as
to enter into competition with the same labor of
the honest, law abiding citizens
"A party that will make it fashionable to be
honest and pay an equal price for equal labor,
regardless of color creed, country or SEX"
"Now you see" contnu the knight of Labor
what are our purposes. But / may add that of
all the 300, 600 members, not more than 10 per
cent have yet been educated in our funda-
mental principles. For that very reason our
general officers have called a halt m orOaniza.
ton for forty days We do not intend that our
members shall think that this is merAly trades
union for the protection of the workmen, to in
crease wages or reduce hours of labor but
neither is it political machine"