The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-10
KNIGHTS OF IA BORf
The Preamble and Declaratio 81
Principles of this Great
Order.

The alarming ueVei0pment anu aSkaee's
Of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked,
will inevitably lead to the pauperization and
hopeless degradation Of the toiling masses,
renders it imperative, il we desire to enjoy
the blessings of life, that q check should be
placed upon it's power and upon unjust acca.
mutation, and system adopted which will h
secure to the laborer the fruits of bis toll :.
and as this much desired object can only be
accomplished by the thorough uni6cation Of II
those who labor, and the united efforts or
those who earn their bread by the sweat OF
their brow, We have formed the order ofathe-
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 onrr
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing "the greatest good to tie greatest
number" to aid and assist us. s>
l. To bring within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry
making knowledge astand point for action.
and industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness. d. .,ts. .& Isl
To secure to the toilsrs 8 proper share
of the wealth chat 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
a word, sll those rights and privileges neces~
ary to make them capable Of enjoying, ap.
preciating, defending and perpetuatihg 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. ..-.sN~e
4. The establishment of cooperative in
stitutions. productive and distributiye T.
5. The reserying of the public Landslide,
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acre tor railroads or corporations.
6. The sbrogation ofall laws that do not bear
equally upon capital aud labor The removal,
of uni 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 aud building pursuits. II
Z. The enactment of laws to compel
chartered corpos tions TO pay their employees
weekly, in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country. Ill.,.
s. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
g. 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 ID our prisons
and reformstory institutions.
13. To secure for both sexes equsl pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours of labor to-
eight per day, so that the aborers may have
more time for social enjoyment aud intel.
lectual i'm provement, aud be enabled to rean
the advantages conferred by the labor.savi
machinery which their brains have created.
10. 10 prevail upon governments to essab.
lish purely national circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without the
Of any system of banking cor.
porations, which money shall be a Legal
tender in payment of all debts, public and
private.