DEBATE OF DECEMBER 7, 1887.Question: "Resolved that the Order of the Knights of Labor promotes the best interests of the laborers."

Brief for the Affirmative.G. W. Cram, J. M. Shahan.

Best single reference: "Labor Movement in America," R. T. Ely, pp. 75 91; also C. D. Wright in Quarterly Journal of Economics, Jan., 1887.

I. Organization is imperative for the welfare of classes whose interests are similar.

(a) Such an organization as the Knights of Labor develops the spirit of bro herhood and enables the stronger to aid the weaker, (b) the order admits working women and negroes.- R. T. Ely, "Labor Movement in America," pp. 75-80.

II. It has also taught the laborer that his interests are not opposed to those of his employer.- Forum, 1886, vol. I., pp. 538 and following.

III. The principles and methods of the Knights of Labor are in keeping with the institutions of our country. The order also tends to train the laborer into capacity for better citizenship.- Paper by J. G. Brooks, Sept. 9, 1887.

IV. The order by its constitution and through its leaders favors arbitration as the mode of settling labor difficulties.- C. D. Wright in Journal of Economics, Jan., 1887; Bradstreets, May 29, 1886; June 5, 1886. Other references: McNeill, "Labor Movement the Problem of To-Day," chaps. xv., xix., xx., pp. 397-428, 483 508.

Brief for the Negative.B. W. Palmer and Walter Coulson.

I. The Knights of Labor have injured themselves and the whole country by strikes and boycotts.

(a) They dictate to their employers, whose business they strive to rule; (b) they have sanctioned violence, and even aided in murder; (c) they persecute non-members; (d) they prevent the employment of capital, cause stagnation of business, and, hence, great loss of wealth; (e) they drive many of their members to crime and dissipation through loss of employment.- F. W. Taussig on south-western strike in Journal of Economics, Jan. 1887; Chicago Tribune, Feb. 13, 1887: Nation, Vol. 42, pp. 338, 401, 402, 418, 440, 441; also Vol. 43, pp., 469, 470; Boston Herald, March 21, 1886; Bradstreet's, May 22, 1886.

II. The organization has a bad educational effect.

(a) The leaders who dictate to the knights and pretend to instruct them are often ignorant and dangerous men; (b) the organization has a tendency to train members to obey their leaders, rather than the laws of the country; (c) it teaches them erroneous principles of political economy; (d) it leads men to be discontented with their station in life, to hate capitalists, and to attempt violence in order to bring about a change in the present social order.- Nation, Vol. 42, pp., 424, 462.

III. The knight attempt to benefit those laborers only who belong to their order, not to elevate labor in general.- Nation, Vol. 42, pp. 338, 440, 441.