The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-18
LEGISLATION FOR LABORERS.
The knights Organize Henry George
Clubs to Promote Their Interests.
They Will Work for Legislation, but Will Have
Nothing To DO With Political Affairs-The
Democratic Conspirators Resting.

D0iuOcTablC CONS plTdtoTS are ToSllDS IHtg Jniuh
the mpregnabity of their position in the SEN
| ate is enough to keep the Republicans out of any
contests ia the House. Their attitude is a re-
mnder of school-boy days, when the chip on the
shoulder was the guage of war. So comfortably
assuring is this belief that they encourage tine
opinion that no seats in either body will be con-
tested Having settled very broad inter
probation that the Senate and House are judges
of the qualification OF their members they
have also reached the opinion that the right can
be exercised at any time merely on the will Of
the majority. 1t is to be The work between this
and the time for the assembling OF the Legisla-
ture TO procure all evidence in keeping with
prosperity claims of ineeibiity as to every Re
publican Senator elect. The Democratic contests
in the House considered only as appendages
to give the plan an evenness. It is not expected
TO accomplish anything in that body ''for the
ajority is against u.s." as Democrat said yes
terday. "Is is rather low idea the Democrats
take of political justice" remarked citizen
without waiting for the issue of a contest on
evidence, they at once inaugurate a scheme of
revenge. because they happen to have major
ity in the Senate. With this at their command
the spirit of revolution was at full pressure to-
wards series Of alleged contests that have no
strength in justice or right 1t is the old Bour-
bonic policy of rule or ruin. They can tie up
legislation, and propose to do it until the sena.
torisl question is decided. Defeated in that, as
they doubtless will be. and that by no means
except what are fair and just, the conspirators
will, perhaps, find some way of continuing the
strife to the injury of the States and peoples
affairs"
There was to have been meeting of the legis-
lative committee of the State federation of
trades last night, but it did not occur. An in
huence has been at work among representative
workngmen to steer their organizations clear of
any political complications at present "If it is
necessary" said one of them yesterday, I'VE
may at the next elections nominate tickets for
with fairness from either of the old political par
ties we will do DO more as district organizations
than support men on their tickets upon whom
we can rely. If this fails us-aS an example, in
the Republicans or Democrats unseating any of
our men on mere technical grounds we--will seek
to punish that party. If Meagher of Terre
Haute is legally disqualified, then he ought not
to be Representative. Ii he is removed in this
way there will be no protest or feeling on part
of the Knights of Labor.
"The Knights, then, are not to be considered
as politiciansl"
There are Democrats and Republicans among
US. and some trouble is had in keeping purely po-
liiical questions out of the assemblies. but, an
order. political organization is tabooed. How
ever, there is TO be organized here within two or
three weeks Henry George clubs In these
clubs the politics of the Knights and other or
gained workingmen will be discussed. The leg
islative committees of the trades unions and
Knights will lock after measures that we want
enacted. There is no need of the legislative
committee of the federation meeting. It's call
was an attempt to throw the workingmen to the
support of certain candidates before the Legsla-
ture, and so apparent was this purpose the La
Dor Signal refused to publish the call This po-
litical object held several members of the
mirtee from giving the proposed meeting any
countenance; hence there was none, as there was
nothing to do"
What will the workin gmen ask fir ON the Leg
isiature?'
There are several bills they want passed
They being drafted. and will be introduced
early in the session. great deal of attention
has been given bill for aoolishinG the prison con
tract system. Two opinions are entertained by
the legislative committee of the Central Trades
Union on this question. There is but one as to
the present system, and that is, it ought to be
abolished; but the difference occurs Oh the
means of utilizing prison labor. One PROPOSE
ton is that the State should do its own manu-
featuring and place the products on the market,
c0b NV dt iOWcF pTlCo lIdu ttlab lSkeQ
for the product Of free labor Another plan is
to contract for the labor at free labor rates. A
portion OF the proceeds is to be paid into the
State treasury, another is to be used for prison
expenditures and a third is to lie reserved for
the convicts family. This is the Iowa plan:
bat majority of the committee favor that of
requiring the State to use for itself the labor in
prisons. This is to cover work house labor as
we'll. Another law we want is one making CO.
operative societies effective, and still another in
to the age of fourteen years.
"a bill will be introduced increasing saloon
license and allowing the proceeds therein to re
main IN the locality where it is collected. 1t is
then to be used in purchasing school books for
the children of INDECENT parents. A bill restrain
ing child labor will depend upon what is done
with that regarding compulsory education. Then
there are others looking to building inspectors in
all large cities, more stringent law relative 20
private banks, and a measure 81 wing the work
lngman first lien IN his work This it is pro-
posed will take precedence of mortgages or
anything else"
The Democrats may not find much encourage
ment in this drift of proposed legislation since it
Will come across their deep-laid scheme to rob
enough Republican seats, by which they exnect
to elect United States Senator over an honest
majority. One of their most active partisans. a
Representative and knight. persists in de-
nounclng the system of wholesale contests He
Is regarded by the order as it's leader in the
House, and by the Democrats as a politician of
their class but as he talks now there is but little
of the latter character about him. The Demo
cratic conspiracy has promise of failing by the
antagonism of votes upon which tae conspirators
rely
Represent ative elect Charles L. Jewett was at
Democratic headquarters last night marking one
in his favor as political prophet. He recalled
predictions made before the State conventions.
relative TO his partys defeat, and yet he had
some surprise to express to the result in
tain localities. "Onr people, he said. regard
ed me as pessimist, but felt that the condi-
items were unfavorable for our success At one
time during the campaign l thought Nelson had
the best of 1t, but soon returned to my original
views. The problem that is troubling me
now, is how to make forty FIVE members
in the House outvote ffty-fve. We have the
Senate and the Governor With these forces we
ought to be able to do something and the Gov
ernor is man who can be relied on in case of an
emergency. | do not favor, though the unseat-
ing of Republican who is entitled to his place