Knights of Labor Constitutions on Microfilm, 1881-1906
Collection Number: 5427 mf
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Knights of Labor Constitutions on Microfilm, 1881-1906
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5427 mf
Abstract:
Constitutions from the Knights of Labor
Creator:
Knights of Labor
Quanitities:
0.22 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
The Knights of Labor (K of L), officially Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor,
was the the largest American labor organizations of the 1880s. Their most important
leader was Terence V. Powderly. They promoted the social and cultural uplift of the
workingman, and rejected Socialism and radicalism, they demanded the eight-hour day.
After the mid-1880s they went back to being a smaller organization, they had started
as a labor union, negotiating with employers, but it was poorly organized.
Starting in 1869, it reached 28,000 members by 1880, then increased to 100,000 in
1885. Its largest membership was around 1886 with close to 800,000 members. Most of
their members abandoned the movement in 1886-87, resulting in only 100,000 members
by 1890. By 1949 the last 50-member local dropped its affiliation.
The Knights of Labor contibuted to the tradition of labor protest songs in America.
They included music in their regular meetings and alwasys encouraged local members
to write and perform their own work.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Knights of Labor Constitutions on Microfilm #5427 mf. Kheel Center for Labor-Management
Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Names:
Knights of Labor
Subjects:
Constitutions
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Reel 1 |
Knights of Labor. Constitution 1881-1906
|
1881-1906 | |
Scope and Contents
positive
|
|||
Reel 2 |
Knights of Labor - Constitution, 1887 (Constitution of the General Assembly; and for
State, National Trades, District, & Local Assemblies of the Order
|
1887 | |
Scope and Contents
positive
|