The Labor enquirer., 1883-09-15
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration Of
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming develop nent and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead to the psuperization aud
hopeless degradation Of the telling masses,
renders it imperative, it we desire to enjoy
the blessings Of life, that check should be
placed upon its power and upon VI Just accu.
mutation, and a system adopted which will
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll !;
aud as this much desired object can only be
acc mpl,shed oy 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
the Organization and direction, by cO.opera
tive effort, 'ot 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 g eatest 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
, To secure to tie tliI>rs a proper share
f tie wealth ,hut hey create more of the
I.isure that rgbrulIy belong, to them more
ccittv advantages; mere of the benefits,
privileges 8nd emolhments of the world III
A word, al those lights and privileges neces-
arv 20 T., ke rr,-m capable Of enjoying, sp-
arr"'atinG, defrniug and perpetuatiug the
b2,s-iuqs ut good gcyvrnm Mt.
). 70 arr,v4 a. thr true condition Of the
;,r, ducjug masses in their educational, moral
aud financial c"nil ion, by tet0andiug from
the various governments the establishment
o. bureaus of lnb + statistics.
4. The e>tnb.i~hment Of cooperative in.
stitutI, MS productive and dIstributive.
;. The res, rriug Of the public Iahds-lhe
h. lilagc of the people, for the actual settler.
Not another acretor railroads or COrporatlone
6. The ab-"y4uon ofa i laws hat do not bear
equally upon capital and labor; The removal
of unjust techucalitiea, delays and discrimi.
nations in the admiDistra ion CT justice; and
the adopting Of neaNures providing for the
health and safety Of those engaged III mining,
manufacturing and building pur+uit9,
l. The enactment Of laws to compel
chartered corpo~ tions to Fay their employees
weekly, in full, for LABOR performed the
preceding week. n the lawful money of the
cOUntry.
s. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laLorers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
9 The aboishmt Mt of the contract system
on national, safe and munic pal work
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
aud employe are willing to meet on equits BILE
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.
Iectual 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 essah
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 all debts, public and
private.