The Labor enquirer., 1883-12-08
KNIGHT OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
J. 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, il we desire to enjoy
the blessings of life, that check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust accu
mutation, and system adopted which vii
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll
and as this much desired object can only bt
accomplished by the thorough uniication o.
those who labor, and the united efforts o.
those who earn their bread by the sweat o.
their brow, we have formed the order of the
Knights of Labor, with 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 oul
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing "the greatest good to the greatest
number" to aid and assist us.
1. 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.
Q. To secure to the toilsrs proper share
of the wealth hat they create; more of the
leisure that rightfully belongs to them; more
ociety 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, sp.
preciating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government.
8. 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 dstributive.
5. The ressrying of the public landslide
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acretor railroads or corporations.
6. The abrogasion of all laws that do not 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 corpor tions to pay their employees
weekly. in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country. .,t5=
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and lsborers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
9. The abolisbment 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 10 me.t on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment OF
children in workshops, mines and factories, |
before attaining their fourteenth year.
Il. To abolish the system of letting ont 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
lectual improvement, and be enabled to reap t
he advantages conferred by the lsbor-saving
which eir brains have created.
Is. To prevail dfbn governments to estab.
ish purely national circulating medium,
ssued directly to the people, without the
ntsrvention Of any system Of banking cor.
,orstions, which money shall be legal
sndsr in payment Of alI debit, public and
'riyats. !.