The Labor enquirer., 1883-03-17
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 pauperization and
hopeless degradation of the toiling masses,
renders 1t 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 lsborer 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 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.
l. To bring within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry,
u
and industrial, moral worth not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness.
2. To secure to the toiIers a proper share
of the wealth hat they create; more of the
leisure that rightfujly 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~
ary to make them capable of enjoying, ap.
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.
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 AbrogaLion 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
charteredlcorporet to pay their employees
weekly, in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money of the
country.
8.ssThe euactpent of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
9. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work,
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and empoye are willing TO mest on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition ef 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 reformstory institutions,
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
"A. The reduction of the hours of labor to
eight per day, so that the labOrers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel.
lectuaI 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 estab'
Iish purely national circulating medium
issued directly to the people, without the
Intervention of any system of banking cor
porations, which money shall be a lega
tender in payment of all debts, public anc
private.