The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-01
DEMANDS OF THE KNIGHTS.
Ten Things that Must Be Done on Peril
of Ballot Boycott at the Polls.
A Proposition Looking to Restoration of the
Peoples Lost Rights and Declaring Hol-
iday on the Dates of National Elections.
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
How 1t Is Proposed to Restore to the People
Their Lost Rights"

SL6f HA@AHNDB uAdy Oh uo IucIuuoTS VI ZIG
Knights of Labor who are delegates to the con-
vention climbed the two fights of stairs leading
to the hall in Sloss Block this morning, with
quiekened steps, the effect of day of relaxation
and rest After the General Assembly was
called to order-a letter addressed to the annual
convention of the Amalgamated Association of
Iron and Steel-workers was read and adopted,
and ordered to be forwarded to the secretary of
that order. The letter was one of fraternal
greeting, showing and asking cooperation in the
cause of labor A resolution was offered and
adopted asking Congress- TO pass bill making
election day national holiday. =
Chairman Shay, of the committee on legisla-
ton, presented partial report, the following
clauses of which were unanimously adopted:
sYour committee on legislation .begs the lib
erty of saying that the doctrine that the free and
inalienabe right to life, and liberty, and happi-
piness includes the equal right to the use of the
elements from which life must be supported, and
that a system which compels some citizens to
buy from other citizens the right to till the un-
occupied soil of their common country, and that
permits individuals and corporations to appro-
pirate as their own exclusive property the store
of oil, gas and minerals which the Creator has
stored beneath it for common use, and the value
which the growth of population gives to land
-
tice, the inevitable result OF which is to enable
those who do not work to reach the earnings of
those who do; to impoversh the farmer, me-
chapic and laborer, while enriching the fore
staller and monopolist and by depriving those
who possess only the power of labor of any OPP
portunity to make living Cor themselves, to
force them into deadly competition with each
other for the wages which some employers are
willing to pay. AS preparing the way for the
adoption Of better system, we demand meas
oruhi Qhol I'm n
rights and privileges hereinafter named:
81 We demand the creation of system that
shall make future generations more than mere
tenants at will, so long as there is land that IS
upon.
80 We demand the reservation of the public
lands for actual settlers only and that all lands
owned by individuals and corporations in excess
of 160 acres not under cultivation, shall be taxed
to the full value Of cultivated lands of like char
acter.
SO. We demand the immediate forfeiture of
all lands now under grant to corporations or in
dividuals, the conditions of which havenot been
complied with
- We demand that all lands now held by
individuals or corporations upon which patents
have not issued, and which are not forfeitable,
shall be patented without delay and taxed to the
full value of lands of like character under Guilt
walton.
20. We demand the immediate removal of all
fences upon the public domain without authori-
ty of law and that equal protection be secured
to all citizens of the United States in the use of
public lands for free cultivation.
So We demand that on and after A. D. 1889,
the government shall Obtain possession, by pur
chase at an appraised value, of all lands legally
held by resident aliens and from and after
A. d. 1886 aliens shall be prohibited from ac-
curing title to or owning lands within the
United States of America, and that all deeds by
citizens Of the United States to aliens after said
last nseu toned date shall be null and void. and
land SO decided shall revert to the government
~. We demand the abolition of property quail
ifcations for voting, similar to those now
listing in the State of Rhode Island, and the
Enlistment of graduated income-tax law
''8. We believe that the Labor Bureau is
of the most valuable means for the dissemina-
ton of needed information, and we demand for
it the full appropriation asked for, that its efic
ency be not impaired.
$50. We recommend the passage OF the several
bills Endorsed by this body and approved by the
committee on labor Of the House of Representa-
tives.
80 We recommend that this body appoint a
committee of three to visit Congress during it's
present session, to make known to the members Of
that honorable body the wishes of the Knights
of Labor respecting the matters named by this
committee and Endorsed by this body.
The committee on boycotts and strikes pre-
scented their report, the discussion upon which
was pending when the noon recess was taken.
The resolution In regard to election holiday is
as follows
Resolved That it is the sense of this General AS
sembly that the occupation of brbe-g and BRIDE
sary to educate those who suffer most through bribery
and corruption that is hurtfu to the welfare of the
Nation to receive a bride or give one. In order to
deal with this question effectnally and
integenty, we should every means
within power to secure for the toiler
the right to protect himself upon that day which,
oE all ID svoD nj 70 he o;ti1o
election day. That he may nave opportunity to
protect his interests that occasion. should ask
that election day be maue national holiday ON
service at the hands of his employees. We further
more recommend that the workingmen of the Nation
declare their intention to have election day labors
national holiday; and that they devote their time
that day to looking after their interests; that
they shall that day, keep watch and ward the
destnes OF the Nation by guarding the polls from the
influence of the bribetaker and brbegver; and while
recognize the right of every to indulge in the
of liquor to such extent he may deem necessary
for his health and comfort yet do recommend that
that day each workman refrain from the of liquor
of all kinds that he may exercise with clear head
his prerogative citizen in selecting proper to
Represent the people.
During the afternoon session the legislative
committee reported a demand that minors be
prohibited from working over eight hours per
day in mines, manufactures, etc. The follow
ing, in the same report, was also adopted:
Resolved, That hold responsible at the ballot
box all members OF Congress who neglect or refuse to
vote in compliance with these demands.
The rest of the afternoon was devoted to a
discussion of the report of the committee on
strikes and boycotts, recommending that the ex-
ecutive board should have absolute control of
such business.
The convention took recess until tomorrow
morning, with motion to adopt the report still
pending.
The committee recently appointed to investi
gate the Home Club" of District Assembly No.
40 held meeting in the Prospect House on Sun
day evening and examined number of witness
es. 1t is thought thatthe committee will ask to
have until October to report, and upon adjourn
inert they will go to New York and make a
thorough investigation of the charges preferred
against the members of the order who are on the
circular lists Mr.. Powderly, in speaking of the
There are some things in the charges that are
true, and many that are false The affair is old
now. and to bring il up is like waving the bloody