The Labor enquirer., 1883-08-04
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 it imperative, il we desire to enjoy
the blessings of life, that q check should be
placed upe its power and upon un ust accH.
mutation, and system ad opted which will
ecure to the laborer the fruits of his toll ).
AID as this much desired object can only be
accnmpl shed 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
organ zaion, calling upon all who believei 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,
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 proper share
of the wealth that they create; more OF the
leisure that rightfully belongs to them more
ociety advantages; more of the benefits,
privileges and emoluments of the world in
word, all those rights and privileges neces-
airy TO make them capable of enjoying, ap.
preciating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government.
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
sttutions productive and distributive.
5 The reserving of the public landslide
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acre tor railroads or corporations.
6. The sbrogarion of all laws hat do not bear
equally upon capital aud 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 pur>uits.
T. The enactment of laws to compel
chartered corpor tions to pay their employees
weekly, in full, for LABOR performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country.
s. The ensctment of laws giving mechanics
and laLorers the first lien on their work for
their full wagea,
g. The sbolisasarnt of the contract system
on national, state I'D municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employe are willing to meet on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employmen 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 convicrs in our prison.
and reformatory institutions.
13 To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
a. The reduction of the hours of labor tc
eight per day, 80 that the laborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel
lie .tusl improvement, ard be euabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the labOr-saving
machinery which their brains have created
Is To prevail upon governments to es'ab
Iish purely uatIoual circulating medium,
issued directly 10 the people, without the
intervention o. any system ot banking cor
porations, which money shall be legal
tender in payment of all debts, public and
private.