Thes Benevolent Association, The Knights Of Labor And The...

The Screwmen’s Benevolent Association, The Knights of Labor and the Farmers Alliance are a few of the leading labor organizations in Texas. Developed as the political and human resource representation for many of Texas’ post civil war laborers, these organizations invested considerable time and funding in advocating for the concerns of the working class. Established socialist communities were natural supporters for unionization based on their beliefs in cooperation for the greater good. Within a transformative decade for Texas workers, the Knights of Labor reached the pinnacle of its influence, failed a railroad strike in 1886 and eventually transformed into an agrarian and mechanics’ organization. (AM and Reid 2009) The growing influence of the Knights of Labor improved the standing of socialists by extension. In reality, the union was not socialist organization by definition. However, Texas socialists support and political gamesmanship contributed heavily to the growth and development of the Knights of Labor. (Texas AM University Press 2010) Advocacy for Texas laborers and support for the civil rights movement became the focus of proponents of socialist political policies. Labor strikes and litigation against Texas based businesses routinely failed, illustrating the economic entrenchment of corporations and their accompanying judicial and legislative alliances. As the political clout of the Knights of Labor waned, the weight of political influence regarding