The Labor enquirer., 1883-01-13
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble, and Declaration
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming development and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead TO the pauperization and
hopeless degradatioD Of the toiliug masses,
.rFnders it imperative, il we desire to .epioE
the blessings OF life, that check should be
placed uponits power and upon unjust aecH.
mutation, and . system adopted whicE will
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll
and as this much desired object can only be
accomplished by the thorough unifca ion of
those who labor, and the united efforts OF
those who earn their bread by the sweat oi
their brow, we have formed the order Of the
Knights of Labor, with view. of securing
the orgshiz alton and direction, by coopera
tive effort, of the power of the industrial
objects sought to be accomplished by our
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing ''the g. eatest good to the greatest
number" to aid and assist us.
|. To br ng within rhe fold of organization
every department of productive Industry,
making knowledge stand point for action,
and industriaI, moral worth, H. wealth, the
true standard of individusl and rational
greatness.
2. To secure to the t"ilsrs proper share
of the wealth hat hey create; more Of the
leisure that righttuliy belongs to them more
society advantages; mUre of the benefits
privileges and emoIuments of the world in
a word, all those rights and privileges neces~
ary 70 make them capable of njnying, ap.
preciating, defending and perpetustiog the
blessings of good government.
8. To arrive at the rue 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.
4. The establishment of CO operative in.
stitutions. productive and distributive.
5. The reserving of the public landslide
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acre tor railroads OR corporations.
6. The sbrogation fail laws that do not bear
equally upon capital aud labor The removal
of unjust technicalities, delays and discrimi
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.
7. The enactsent of laws to compel
chartered corporations to pay their employees
weekly, in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laLorers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
Q. The abolishmtnt of the contract system
on uational, STATE and municipal work
10. he substitution of arbitration for
strikes Whenever and wherever employers
snd employe are willing 10 meet on equita bic
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment OF
children 10 wOrkHh ps, mintS aud tactnrle.,
before sUta'uine their t'urteeDth year.
II. To abolish the system OF letting out by
contract the labor OF COnVIc|S IN our prisons
and refOrmHtory iDsitu'i2ns
-. To secure tor both sexes eQuAl pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours Of lahor 10
eight PER day, so that the laborers may nave
more lime for social enjoyment and intel
le e1tual improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the lAbor-saviDg
machinery which their brains have created.
Is TO prevail upon governments to estab
lish purely uamonsl circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without The
Intervention OF any system of banking cor
porations, which money shall be a legal
tender in payment of all debts, public and