The Labor enquirer., 1883-03-10
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration Of
Principles Of this Great
Order. L


The alarming development and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead to the pauperjzation and
hopeless degradation Of the toiling masses,
renders it imperative, il we desire to enjoy
the blessings of lifeS that a check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust accu
mutation, and a system adP opted which will
secure to the Iaborer the fruits of his toll +;
and as this mach desired object can only be
accomplished by the thorodgh 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 8 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 1.-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.
9. To secure to the t0ilars & proper share
Of the wealth that they create; more of the
leisure that righrfuljy belongs to them; more
society advantages, :, more of the benefits,
privileges and emoluments Of the world in
a word, all those rights and privileges neces~
airy to make them capable of enjoying, ap-
preciating, defending and perpetuating 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,
4. The establishment of cooperative il.
stitutions. productive and distributive.
5. The reserViRg of the public Iands-the
heritage of the people-fJr the actual settler.
Not another acretor railroads or corporations.
6. The abrogation ofaIllaws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor; the removal
of mi ast .echnicalitB, 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 corporotion to pay their employees
weekly, in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money Of the
country.
8.sThe enactment Of laws giving mechanics
and laLOrers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
9. The abolshment Of the contract system
on national, sate and municipal work.
10. The substitution OF arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wheSever employers
and empIoye 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 con7icts in our prisons
and reformatory institutions.
I3. 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.
le2tual Improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the laborsaving
machinery which their brains have created.
IS. To prevail upon governments to estab,
Ljsh 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.