The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-13
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Who and What Are the Members of This
Powerful Labor Union.

Boston Pilot.
The knights of Labor, 500, 900 strong. form
an important and ever growing power in the
country. The organization is only sixteen years
old. It was founded by Uriah S. Stevens, a
clothing cutter in Philadelphia. It's present
great success is mainly due to the devotion, en-
ergy and executive skill of the general master
workman, Terence v. Powderly. who has held
the Office for six successive terms.
Mr.. Powderly is q young man. not yet thirty
seven years of age, self-educated, q born reform
er, who. if he were living in his fatherland,
would have found his natural place in the front
ranks Of Ireland's national leaders. He has
thrice held the Office OF mayor of Scranton,
Pa. He has brought to the management of the
Knights Of Labor a clear intellect, q trained
business instinct, and broad, farseeing views:
There issno prescription of race. creed, color
or sex in the workingmen's great order. The
only persons who may not enlist in the army of
organized industry are those OF either sex under
eighteen years Of age, lawyers. bankers, gam
sale of intoxicants. Employers as we'll as en-
ployed belong to the order, but three~quarters of
the membership must consist of wage workers or
farmers.
So much for the government and membership
of the Knights. Their purposes are clearly de-
fined, to protect the interests of labor. to elevate
the wage worker, to promote cooperation and
mutual aid and. mainly, to act as an organiza-
ton, with authority and power. whenever the
interests of labor and capital come into
OuLiC ~ OCyCOtt "a tu0 AhlRubS VI
Labor is a powerful weapon. Strikes are
not encouraged, save as a last resort when peace
full compromise has been denied. The great
principle Of arbitration between emplo yers and
employed is always favored by the order. but it
has deeper and more permanent objects, de-
manding of State governments reform in the ad-
ministration Of justice, provisions for the safety
and health of workingmen. decentralization for
injuries received through lack of proper safe
guards, non employment of children under four
teen in workshops, mines and factories, and 9TH
er practical measures.
From the general government the Knights de-
mand a uniform national currency, the abolition
of interest bearing bonds or bills of credit, the
prohibition of imported contract labor, the gov
eminent ownership of railroads, telegraph and
telephone lines, and a government savings bank
system.
The Knights of Labor are a potent influence
in the land, and a promise of hope for the wage
worker in the near future. Already in one State
Legislature, that Of Connecticut, they have
elected seventy members belonging to the order
or pledged to its interests. Twenty five Knights
have been elected to the Massachusetts, Legisla-
ture this year. In the Western States and Ter
ritories the order is growing daily in popularity
and strength. The increase in membership is
placed at the rate of 156, 900 a year throughout
the whole country. With such a measure of
prosperity, labor has but to name it's own terms,
and no interest in the country can dare to refuse
them.