Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-06
BELFAST, Aug. 30th, 1886.


BELFAST, Aug. Both, 1886.
T. c. SMART, ESQ.,:
Dear Sir-Your letter of the 9th inst.
has just come to my notice and l hasten to
reply. Most all the propositions stated in
the "declaration of principles of the knights
of Labor" which you enclose to me, have
already discussed in public speeches and
published letters.
Indeed, think you will find in a speech
which l delivered in the present Congress
upon the tariff, and in one which l de.
iivered in the 4Sth Congress upon the same
subject, as full and emphatic, declarations OF
the principles which should be engrafted
upon our legislation in order to sustain the
dignity of labor, give fair wages to the toiler,
ameliorate the condition and elevate the
position Of the workingmen and women Of
America, and as distinct recognition of the
necessity of an intelligent and prosperous
laboring class in all the varied industries OF
our land in order to maintain republican in.
situations as have been enunciated in "the
declaration of principles of the Knights OF
Labor" or anywhere else.
The first and imperative object of the
American workingman should be to protect
the industries by which he lives. With free
trade, which would place him in unrestricted
competition with the pauper labor of the old
world all the declarations of principles he
can formulate will not save him and those
dependent upon him from wretchedness, and
whoever casts his vote and influence with the
free trade party in this country, be his pro-
fessions what they may, is an enemy to the
American wage-earner and to the whole PEG.
| Pile.
l can see no objection to the several
propositions enumerated by the Knights Of
Labor except the two which you do not your
self endorse, and one or two others. These
| assume were not fully considered nor theil
entire scope appreciated, else they would no,
have been adopted.
That industrial and moral worth should
be the standard of individual and natona
greatness; that ''the workers should share
in the gains and honors of advancing civiiza
tom" that 1--WE should have, so far as prac.
ii able, statistics of the educational, mora
and financial condition of the laboring mass
es;' that "the public lands should be
reserved for actual settlers; that "the
laws should bear equally upon capita
and labor and that justice should be
I auually Joolt mi IN oil nd ho
sarily delayed" that "workingmen shoulc
have the right to organize to improve theil
conditions" that "wages should be paid
weekly unless the parties interested choose
to contract to do Otherwise that 'arbitra-
ton and not violence should adjust difference,
between employers and employees" thu
"children under 10 years of age should be
sent to the school-house to prepare for the
work of manhood and womanhood, and not tC
the workshop, the mine or the factory, to be
physically and mentally dwarfed": that 'ths
Importation of foreign contract labor should
be prohibited" that 'the hours of days labor
mental improvement and reasonable and
wholesome recreation; and that "the bond o.
sympathy between employers and employee.
should be strengthened" are proposition,
which think no good citizen would hesitate
to cordially endorse.
The hiring out of convict labor, believe
has never been practised in this State. If il
has been it should not be continued; and il
the government does not already afford suffi.
cient facilities for the safe deposting of the
savings of the people it should do so.
believe that the above contains the sub
stance of all the propositions enunciated in
the "declaration of principles" enclosed to
me, except those referred to in connection
with the two which you do not endorse.
Hoping that this hurried reply is sufficiently
explicit to make nv position clearly under.
stood,
/ remain very respectfully yours,
S. l.. MILLIKEN