The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-03
!, KNIGHTS, OF LABOR.
The Preamble and Declaration of.
Principles Of this Great
Order.

/ .
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked 1,
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 check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust accu.
mutation, and 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 uni6ca,ion 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 g eatest good to the greatest
number" to aid and assist us. 4 \
l. To bring within the: fold of organization
every department of productive industry
making kno Fledgesa stand point for action,
and industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness. 5..E
To secure to the toilers proper share
of the wealth that lhey create; more of the.
leisure that rightfully 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 10 make them capable of eDjaying, ap.
preciatng, defending aud perpetuatiDg 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 in.
stitutiGns. productive and distributive
5. The reserVing of the public lands-the
heritage Of the people-f0r the actual settler.
Not another acre tor railroads or corporations.
6. The abrogatlOu Of fail laws that do not bear
equally upon capital aud labor the removal
of unjust technicalities, delays and discrim.
nations in the administrator 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 Jaws to compel
chartered corpO tions TO pay their employees
weekly. in full, tor labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work for {
their full wages.
g. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, slate and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers,
and employe are willing 10 meet on equita bic
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment Of
children in workshops, mines hnd factories,
before attaining their fourteenth year.
II. To abolish the system of letting out by
contract the labor of convicis 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.
lettual improvement, aud be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the labor.saving
which their brains have created.
l5. To prevail upon governments to estab..
llsh purely natloual 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.