Knights of Labour.

Knights of Labour. a national labour organisation in the United States, founded at Philadelphia in 1869. It is to be distinguished from trades-unions as embracing all classes and kinds of labour, even clerks, sempstresses, &c., and extending, through its local assemblies, over the whole country. The professed objects of the body are just and reasonable, and such as appeal strongly to public sympathy. The first general assembly was held in 1878; from this year the numbers rapidly increased, and the oaths of secrecy formerly administered were abolished soon after. In 1883 there were 53,000 members, in 1886 there were 730,000; in 1886 and 1887, however, the system of 'boycotting' having been introduced, the business of the country was greatly disturbed, and since then the strength of the organisation has declined. At the convention of 1888 the total was admitted to have fallen below 500,000; and dissensions further weakened the body. Unavailing opposition to the policy of the leaders led to many withdrawals, and the power of the organisation was weakened. See GRANGERS, INTERNATIONAL, TRADE UNIONS.