The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-17
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration Of
Principles Of this Great
Order.

{ f. +. Il
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, If we desire to enjoy
the blessings of life, that q check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust accH.
mutation, and system adopted which will
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll |;
and as this much desired object can only be
accomplished by the thorough uniication 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 of Labor, with view of securing
the organization and direction, by coopera.
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 "the greatest good to the greatest
number" to aid and assist us. g."
! /. To bring within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry,
making knowledge stand point for action,
and industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness.
2 To secure to the toilsrs proper share
of the wealth that they create; more of the
leisure that rightfully belongs to them more
society advantages; more of the benefits,
privileges and emoluments of the world in
word, all those rights and privileges neces~
airy to make them capable of enjoying, ap.
preciating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government. ~.
g. 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.
stitutions. 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 Lot bear
equally upon capital and 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 enactment of laws to compel
chartered eorpore tions to pay their employees
weekly, in full, for Abor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money of the
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
9. 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.
II. The prohibition of the employment of
children in workshops, mines and factories,
before attaining their fourteenth year.
II. 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.
Ieotual improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the laborssving
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.