The Washington times., 1894-11-26
KNIGHTS SILVER JUBILEE
Confined from First page.l

from IFS beginning twenty-five years ago,
saving that for some time the very existence
OF the order was kept secret, and for sew
eral wears its name was never mentioned pub
licly. Its meetings were called by means of
five stars and certain chalk marks on the
sidwalks of Philadelphia and IN front OF In
dependence Hall. in answer to which thous-
ands Of workingmen gathered in secret con-
clave.
These quiet gatherings excited distrust and
charges OF communism and incendlarlsm
The hostility aroused caused the holding OF a
special meeting in Philadelphia to consider
the situation, the call being signed by the
founder, Uriah S. Stevens. and 1t was decided
to make the name public for the purpose OF
defending the order against the fierce as
saults.
Eighty thousand members were represented
in the first generel assembly at Reading IN
1878, and this aggregate was increased In
1885 to Ill ,000 The order represents to-day
probably full half million of men.
Dr. Kent read the preamble and declaration
of principles as promulgated by the ORDER
and said il be could do no more, the publlca-
ton of.the sentiments 1t contains would be
ample explanation Of the purposes OF the or
ganization.
1t declares. among other things. he said,
for industrial and moral worth. not wealth,
as the standard OF national greatness; the es-
tabishment of bureaus OF statistics; that land
and the natural sources OF wealth, the herlt-
age OF the people, should not be subject TO
speculative traffic; for the abrogation OF laws
that do not bear equally upon capital and
labor; the adoption of measures for the safety
OF those engaged in mining; weekly payments
of wages. and lien upon the product OF labor
10 the extent of wages earned; abolition of
the contract system on State, national, and
municipal work; arbitration between en-
/, k,-l Of
the employment of children under fifteen
years of age. and compulsory education and
free text books; graduated income tax; pro-
hibition Of convict labor; for national mon
etary system, and circulating medium issued
directly to the people without the interven-
tion OF banks, and that the government shall
not recognize nor guarantee private banks, or
create banking Institutions.
II declares also against the issue by the
government of finterest-bearing bonds, bills of
credit or notes and substitution therefor OF
non-interest bearing money; for prohibition
OF foreign contract labor; for postal savings
Institutions; for government possession OF
telegraphs, telephones and railways; IN favor
of co-operative institutions such as will tend
TO supersede the wage system; to secure for
both sexes equal rights to obtain some of the
benefits oflabor-saving machinery, by reduc-
ing the hours of labor 20 eight, and to per
suade employers TO agree to arbitrate all
labor differences in order that the bonds OF
sympathy between them and their employees
shall be strengthened to the end that strikes
may be unnecessary.
II do not hesitate TO saw said Dr. Kent.
'that there is more practical Christianity,
though the name Of Christ is not mentioned,
in this declaration of principles. than in any
depominational creed in christendom. 1t is
rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus as
those creeds are not.
1T affirms in thoroughly practical way
the truth Of human brotherhood. Ii does not
propose measures that involve injury and
degradation 10 one class in order to bring
I benefit 70 another. II crystallizes sentiments
[ and measures for the benefit of the whole
people This is something which the modern
church has never seriously attempted"
The speaker commended the platform OF
the order. and recalled the fact that it was
adopted twenty-five years ago, which makes
manifest the fact that its authors were far in
advance of their time. He cited that many
Of the reforms then demanded have since
been adopted, and expressed the belief that
others would be.
Continuing, DR.. Kent spoke of the report
of the strike commission as going very far to
sustain the American Railway Union, which,
IN its justice and fairness. must be very graft
flying and encouraging to the friends of labor
all over the country. He alluded to Attorney
] General Olneys opinion on strikes as the
more surprising. being in line with the re-
I port, because NJ. Olney. from his associa-
4 tons, was believed to be incapable of render
/ ing q rational opinion.
The single tax propositions, he thought
/ would be among the last Of the reforms tc
/ be adopted. because il offered more grounds
/ for self opposition than any other.
Somo OF the principles advocated by the
/ order have been indorsed. and public senti.
ment, hethought, is rapidly ripening for fuller
! justice.