The Labor enquirer., 1882-12-23
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration Of
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming development and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead to the pauperizaton and
hopeless degradation Of the toIing masses,
renders it imperative, it we desire to enjoy
the blessings OF life, that 8 check should be
pia5ed upon its power and upon un just accH.
mutation, and a system ad ,pted which will
secure TO the lsborer the fruits Of his toll ;
aud rs this much desired object can only be
acc mpl'shed by the thorough unifca ion Of
thoS4 who labor, and the uDited efforts of
those who earn their bread by the sweat of
their brow, we have formed the order Of the
Knights of Labor, with view of securing
the org4uz alton and direction, by co opera.
tive effort, OF the power of the industrial
CLASSES AID we submit to the world the
objects sought to be accomplished by our
organization, calling uoon all who believe in
occurring ";he pcatrst good to the greatest
number" 10 aid and assist US.
l. To hr'ug within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry,
making kDowledge sand point for action,
and industrial, moral worth, MT wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness.
2. To secure to the tcilerS q proper share
of the wealth hat Ibey create; more Of the
leisure that righttully beloUg5 10 them more
, society advantages; more of the benefits,
privileges and emoluments of the world in
| word, al those rights and privileges neCeS~
airy to make them capable of enjoying, ap-
preclatDR, defending and perpetuating the
blessings Of good government.
3. To arrive at the true condition OF the
producing masses in their educational, moral
and financial condition, by demanding from
the various governments the establishment
of bureaus Of labor statistics.
a. The establishment of cooperative in
stitutions. productive and distributive.
5. The reserying of the public lands-the
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acre tor railroads or corporations
6. The abrogation of all laws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor the removal
OF uni ust technicalities, delays and discriml
nations in the administration of Justice and
the adopting of measures providing for the
health and safety OF those engaged in mining
manufacturing and building pursuits.
T. The enactment of laws to compel
chartered corporations to pay their employees
weekly, in full for labor performed the
! ia, Ia Df,l n the
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laUorers the first lien on their work for
their full wages
.. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employe are willing to meet on equitable
grounds.
H. The prohibition of the employment Of
children in workshops, mines and factories
before attaining their fourteenth year.
H. To abolish the system OF letting out BY
contract the labor of convicts in our prisons
and reformatory institutions.
13 To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA The reduction of the hours of labor to
eight per day, SO that the laborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel
Iectual improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the lsbor'saving
machinery which their brains have created
10. To prevail upon governments to estsb
lish q purely national circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without the
Intervention oi any system of banking cor
porations, which money shall be legal
tender in payment of all debts, public and
private.