The Labor enquirer., 1882-12-30
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration Of
Principles Of this Great
Order.

OF aggregated wealth. which, unless checked,
, will inevitably lead to the pauperizsli6n aud
hopeless degradation of the tOilng masses,
renders it imperative, it we desire to enjoy
the blessings OF life, that check should be
! aced up its power and upon unjust aecu.
S imitation, and a system d'pted which will
4 >eCure to the laborer the fruits of his toil !;
Y aud as this much desired object can only be
+, acc Dpl shed by marlborough unifcation of
+ hose who labor, aud the united efforts of
, those who earn their bread by the sweat o.
heir brow, we have formed the order of the
Knights of Labor with a view of securing
the orgtuiztt!on end direction, by co opera.
tive effort. OF the power of the industrial
; classes; and We submit to the world the
t ohj-ct8 sought to be accom- plished by our
t organ ztl2n. calling upon all who believe in
S ecurInE "the greatest good to the greatest
e numhrr," 10 aid and assist us.
It /. To bring within he fold of organization
t. every department Of productive industry,
:. making knowledge sand point for action,
: snd industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the
y rue standard of individual and national
. greatness
>, 2 To secure to the toilets q proper share
Of the wealth hat hey create; more of the
: leisure that righttully belongs to them more
" society advantages; more of the benefits
u privileges and emoluments of the world in
II a word, all those rights and privileges neces~
!, airy TO make mem capable of enjoying, ap.
d preciatng, defending and perpetuatiDg the
IS blessings Of good government.
e 3. To arrive at the rrue condition of the
n producing masses in their educational, moral
v and financial condition, by demanding from
n the various governments the establishment
l. of bureaus of labor statistics.
4. The establishment of cooperative in
. stituticns. productive and distributive.
5. The reserving of the public lands-the
heritage Of the people-for the actual settler
Not another acretor railroads or corporations
6. The abrOgation of all laws that do not bear
equally upon capital aud labor The removal
Of unjust echnicalties, delays and discrimi
= nations in the administration of justice; and
I the adopting of measures providing for the
health and safety OF those engagedin mining,
e manufacturing and building pursuits.
| 7. The enactment of laws to compel
t chartered corporotions TO pay their employees
+ weekly, in full, for labor performed the
! preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
! country.
s. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
snd latprers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
: .. The aboishment of the contract system
q on national, state and municipal work,
= 10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employe are willing to meet on equita BILE
grouRds.
, IL. The prohibition of the employment of
children in worksh 'ps, mines and factories,
y before attaining their fourreeuth year.
II. To abolish the system of letting out by
contract the LABOR of conVics in our prisons
and ref5rmatory institutions.
Y 13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
5 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
lectual improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the labor Saving
machinery which their brains have created
Is, To prevail upon governments to estab
! lish purely national circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without the
intervention Of any system OF banking cor
porations, which money shall be legal
tender in payment of all debts, public and
] private.