The Labor enquirer., 1883-03-03
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration Of
Principles Of this Great
i wi Order.

y. 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, if 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 will
| secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll
| and as this much desired object can only 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, 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.
/. 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 t0ilers a proper share
of the wealth that they create; more of the
leisure that rightfulIy belongs to them more
society advantages; more of the benefits
privileges and emoluments of the world in
word, all those rights and privileges neces,
ary to make them capable of enjoying, ap,
preeiating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government.
3. To arrive at the true condition of the
producing masses in their educational, mora
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 Iands-the
heritage of the people-for the actual settler
Not another acretor railroads or corporations
6. The sbrogaIon 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 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 lsborers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
9. The abolishnent of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and empIoye are willing 10 meet on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment ot
children in workshops, mines and factories
before attaining their fourteenth year.
IL. 10 aOOllsn the system OF IeLtlng out Dy
contract the labor of convicts in our prisont
and ref0rmatory institutions.
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours of labor tc
eight per day, so that the labOrers may have
more time for social enjoyment and iutel
10 ,+,1el ir1DvOvprnaDt and he aDehlad +O rao ,
the advantages conferred by the Iabor-savinG
machinery which their brains have created
IS To prevail upon governments to essab
Iish q purely national circulating medium
issued directly to the people, without the
Intervention {" any system of banking cor
porations, which money shall be a lega
tender in payment OF aII debts, public and
pr vate