The Labor enquirer., 1883-07-07
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration Of
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming development and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will Inevitably lead to the pauperizstion and
hopeless degradation of the toiling masses,
renders it imperative, it we desire to enjoy
the blessings of life, thata check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust accH
mutation, and a 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 uni6cation 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 a 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 our
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing "the greatest good to the greatest
number" to aid and assist us.
Il 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 toilers a proper share
of the wealth that hey create; more of the
leisure that righttully belongs to them !; more
ociety advantages; more of the benefits.
privileges and emnuments of the world III
a word, all those rights and privileges neces-
ary 10 make tneu capable of enjoying, ap.
precisting, 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 lands-the
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acrero or railroads or cor rporations.
6. The abrogation Of all laws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor; the removal
of unj ust 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 pur>uits. II
7. The enactment of laws to compel
chartered corpo' tions to pay their employees
weekly. in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country. X
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and lstorers the first lien on their work for
their full wages ma" .
o' L hC nOoiisDmSuG VI ku6 COuLFdCt eVStem
on national, s'ate and municipal work \
10. The substitution OF arbitration for
strikes. whenever and Wherever EMPLOYERS
and employe are willing TO meet on equita bic
grounds =
H. The prohibition of the employment of
children in workshops, mines and fsctorie.
before attaining their fourteenth year.
IL. To abolish the system of letting out nv
contract the labor of convicts in our prisons
and reformatory institutions.
for equal work. III 4
IA. The reduction of the hours of labor to
eight per day, 40 that the laoorers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel.
lectu4l improvement, ami BE- enabled TO reap
she advantages conferred by the labor.sayipp
machinery which their brains have created.
Is. To prevail upon governments to es.ab.
lsh . purely national circulating medium.
issued directly to tha 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. I +
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