The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-01
THE DEMANDS OF LABOR.
LEGISLATION THAT WILL BE
ASKED OF CONGRESS.
The Most Important Action Yet
Taken BY the Knights Of Labor
Convention.

ing Knights oil LABOR spent most OF
yesterd ~ in sightseeing and resting
after the hard work OF the week JUST
passed. Mr.. Powderly remained in
his room all day yesterday morning.
The auxiliary sssoci, ton known as
"The Gay and the Blue" held re.
union at the Forest City House. The
societ, is composed OF men who fought
in the late war on both the Federal
and Confederate sides. The motif Of
the society is: capital divides us; la
Dor unites u.s." The ISOLATION is not
a secret order, although it objects to
its bust ness being given to the public.
At the time of organization il was
comp osed only OF members who were
delegates to the CONVEX ton, but it is
now proposed 10 widen The scope OF
the order and receive every Knight OF
Lab r who fought in the rebellion.
At Yesterdays reunion Mr.. }. d.
Shay of Strea.or, ILL.,, in the absence
of the president, was elected president
pro tenn and Mr.. S. 5. Psttep, an ex-
Union soldier, who lives in New Or
leans, acted as secretary.
Soon after opening the meeting
Thomas Green, an ex-Confederate
soldier, of Pine Bluff, Ark, who is
the President OF the Society, arrived.
About twenty of the twenty-four
members who joined the convention
last October were present, aud three
new members we're elected. IL was
decid d to formally organize annually
to the Knights OF Labor, and COM
mittee of three was appointed TO DRAFT
a constitution and bylaws.
A committee to draw up an address
and set Of res1lut ors to be given to
the public, explaining the plan of
organization and the principles Of tie
society, which are directed TO educat-
ing the mem bers, was appointed, and
also a com mittee OF three to nominate
Offices. These committees were
ordered to report at a meeting to be
held this evening.
Another auxiliary, kown as The
Veteran LaboTmen," will hold a meet
ing this evening.
tits rumored tonight that circular
was pfest ntsd ID the convention last
week pref, ring charges against GER
tain prominent knights in New York
who had conspil ed to GUST Powderly
from the position Of Grand Master
Workman and gain control OF the
General Executive Board. 1t is said
that the conspirators had decided to
cary their point at any hazard. There
is much suppressed excitement over
the matter, and those who ere in a
position to know say that the circular
will create a scandal if made public
TIE Committee on Strikes and Boy
COTS have dscided to rep-r r. to the
convention to-day in favor OF leaving
the entire matter to the General Ex-
ecutive Board.
THE MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS YET
REACHED.
This mornings session OF the
Knights of Labor Conven ion was by
far the mcst important in its results
to the public at large, il not to the
order itself, of any session of the con-
vention.
A resolution was adopted request
ing Congress to declare the national
election day legal holiday.
A letter was ordered sent to the
Amalgamsted Association of lion
and Steel Workers. Toe contents
and character of the lie ter are with
held until it has been received by the
Amalgamated Association, but the
assurance is given that it CoGtains
nothing but the best of goodwill and
the spirit Of fraternity.
1t was resolved to appoint at once
and send to Washing on a special
committee OF three to look after the
labor legislation now pending before
Congress.
The Committee on Legislation pre-
scented the 70 lowing propos ton in the
nature of demands Of Congress, which
were ratified by the convention.
FSra.-Thst patents for the public
lands be given to az tual settlers.
Scond.-Thst all lands owned by
any individual or corporation in exc
Gees of 100 acres whether improved or
unimproved, shall be taxed to the full
value of improved land.
Third.-Cal ing for the immediate
forfeiture of a land where the condi-
tons of the grant nave not been COM
piled with.
Fouth.-Asking that patents on
lands, where the conditions have been
complied with, be issued forthwith, 80
that taxation may take effect at once.
FJth.-Calling for the removal OF
fences from the public domain.
Sirth.-That after 1890 the govern
ment shall, by pul chase and right Of
eminent domain, obtain poss ession OF
all lands now held by aliens.
Seventh. -Tha after 1886 aliens shall
be prohibited from acquiring title to
lands.
Eighth Asking the abolition of all
laws requiring property qualification
for vote s
Einth.-Reques'ing the passage Of a
law levyin0 a gradua ed income tax.
Tenth.-ProtestiDg against the cut.
ting of the appropriation for the Labor
Bureau.
Eleventh. Asking for the passage Of
the bill approved blythe Congressional
Labor Committee.
TreHh As kirg for the passage Of a
law prohibiting the employment in
minee, shops, factories, etc, OF minors
for more than eight hours day.
In this connection the following
resolution was adopted:
Resolued, That we will hold respon-
sible at the hallot-box all members OF
Congress who neglect or refrain from
voting in compliance with these de-
msnds.
The Committee on Strikes and Boy
colts presented their report, recon-
mendinz that all authority 10 order
boycotts'and strikes be vested in the
Executive Committee.
As the hour for the noon recess had
already arrived, the report was laid
over until the afternoon session for
discus ion and action.
At l o'clock the convention took q
recess until , O'Clock pm.
The Committee on Boycotts and
Strikes present d their report, the d s.
cussion upon which was pending when
the neon recess was taken.
The resolution in regard to election
holidays, is as follows:
ResOlUed, That it is the sense Of this
General Assembly that the occupation