The Labor enquirer., 1883-04-07
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 pauperization and
hopeless degradation of the toiling masses.
renders it imperative, it we desire to eniov
the blessings of life, that check should be |
placed upon it's power and upon unjust accH.
mutation, and system adopted which will |
secure to the labOrer the fruits of his. toll
aud as this much desired object can onlv be |
accomplished by the thorough unifcation OF
those who labor, and the united efforts OF
those who earn their bread by the sweat OF
| their brow, ne have formed the order of the !
Knights Of Labor with q view of securing
the organization and direction, by co.opera.
tive effort, of the power of the industrial
classes; and We submit to the world the
objects sought to be accomplished by our
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing 1.-THE gresteet good to the greatest
number" to aid and assist us.
l. To bring within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry,
making knowledge a stand point for action,
and industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness.
2. To secure to the toiers a proper share
of the wealth that they create; more of the
leisure that righttuIly belongs to them more
society advantages; more of the Benefits
privileges and emoluments of the world in
a word all those rights and privileges neces~
ary to make them capable of enjoying, ap.
predating, 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
4. The establishment OF cooperative in.
situations. productive and distribuuve.
5. The reserving of the public lands-the
heritage of the people-far the actual settler.
Not another aCrefor railroads or corporations.
6 The sbroga.ion of al laws that do not bear
equally upon capital aud labor; the removal
Of unjust technicalites, delays and discrmi-
nations in the administration of justice and
he adopting of mea1ures providing for the
nealIh and safety Of those engaged in mining,
manufacturing aud building pursuits.
7. The enactment of laws to compel
chartered corpor- tious 10 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
and laborsrs the first lien on their work for
heir full wages,
O. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, state aud municipal work.
TO- The substitution OF arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and empl"ye are willing 10 meet on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment of
children in workshops, miues and factories,
before attaining their fourteenth year.
u. To abolish the system OF letting out by
contract the labor of convicts in our prisons
and reformatory institutions
I3. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work
IA. The reduction of the hours of labor tol
eight per day, so that the laborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel,
lectuaI 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 essab-
lish a purely national 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 aIl debts, public and
private.