Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-09
KNIGHTS OF LABOR,
Preamble and Declaration of Principles
OF the Order.

The following address has been issued BY
the Knights of Labor OF North America to
workingmen throughout the country, over
the signature of the grand workman, I. V.
| Powderly, and the grand secretary, Robert
d. Layton, to whom all communications re-
| lating to information concerning the order
and organization should be sent. His post
office box is $40, Pittsburg, Pa. The address
alec states that an organizer will be sent to
any community to aid in furthering the work.
THE ADDRESS.
To the Public:
The alarming development and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked,
will inevitably lead to the pauperization
| and hopeless degradation of the toiliBg
masses, renders it Imperative, if we desire to
enjoy the blessings of life, that check should
be placed upon its powers and upon unjust
accumu iatlon, and system adopted which
VIM seCurr uue TaDOrer rne IfuIrs OF bis
toll; and as this much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unfit
cation of those who labor, and the united
efforts OF those who earn their bread by the
sweat OF their brow, we have formed the
Order of the Knights or Labor, with a view
of securing the organization and direction,
by cooperative effort, of the power of the
industrial classes; and we submit TO the
world the objects sought 10 be accomplished
by our organization, calling upon all who
believe in securing "the greatest good 10 the
greatest number" to aid and assist us.
First.-To bring within the folds OF organ
ization every department OF productive in
dustry, making knowledge standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral worth, not
wealth, the true standard OF individual and
national greatness.
iSecond-To secure to the toilers proper
share of the wealth that they create; more of
the leisure that rightfully belongs to them;
more society advantages; more of the bene-
fts, privileges and emoluments of the world;
in a word. all those rights and privileges
necessary to make them capable of ENJOYING
approaching, defending and perpeluating
the blessings of good government.
Thrd-To arrive at the true condition of
the producing masses in their educational,
moral and financial condition, by demand
ing from the various governments the estab-
tishmeut of bureaus Of labor statistics
Fourth.-The establishment of cooperative
institutions, productive and distributive.
Fnh-The reserviDg of the public lands
the heritage of the people-for the actual
settler. Not another acre for railroads or
corporations.
Sirth.-The abrogstion of all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor; the
removal of unjust technicalities delays and
DETERMINATIONS in the administration of JUS
tice, aud the adopting of measures providing |
for the health and safety of those engaged in |
mining, manufacturing or building pursuits. |
Serenh The enactment of laws to compel |
chartered corporations to pay their employees |
weekly, in full, for labor performed during |
the preceding week, in lawful money of the |
country.
Eighh.-The enactment of laws giving |
mechanics and laborers first lien on their |
work for their full wages.
Ntnth.-The adjustment of the contract |
system on national, State and municipal
work.
Tsnth-The substitution of arbitration. for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employees are willing to meet on equita-
BILE grounds.
Elepenth-The prohibition of the employ
ment of children in workshops, mines and
before attaining their fourteenth
Year.
-I.selft&-Fo aboiisi, tlse-systepa of letting
prisons and refsrmatory institutions.
IhTteenth-To secure for both sexes equal
pay for equal work.
Fotrteenh.-The reductions of the hours of
abor TO eight per day, so that laborers may
rave more time for social enjoyment and in
ellectual improvement, and be enabled to
cap the advantages conferred by the labor
aving machinery which their brains have
treated.
FTjteenh-To prevail upon governments
o establish purely national circulating
Medium, issued directly to the people, with
ut the Intervention of any system of bank
ng corporations, which money shall be
egal tender in payment OF all debts, public
nd private.