The Labor enquirer., 1884-12-13
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order. L5

The alarming development and aggression
of aggreg gated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead tojthe pauperization and
hopeless degradation of the toiling masses
renders it imperative, If we desire to enjoy
the blessings Of life, that check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust acca
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 unifcation OF
those who labor and the united efforts OF
those who earn their bread by the sweat oi
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, Sot 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 creates
NUMBER to aid and assist us. u, -....
/. To bring withln>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. 49, ~ ..-.,-. n
2. To secure to the toilsrs proper share
of the wealth that hey create more of the
leisure that rghtfully belongs to them more
ociety advantages; more OF the benefits,
privileges and emoluments of the world in
a word, sll those rights and privileges neces>
airy to make them capable of enjoy in. Il ap:
preciating. defending and perpetuating th~
blessings of good government.
g.. To arrive at the true condition OF ths
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 reservlng of the public Landslide
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acre for railroads or corporations.
6. The abrogation of all laws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor The removal
of unjust teehnicalities, delays and discrimi.
nations in the administration of Justice and
the adopting Of measures providing for the
health and safety o: those engaged in mining,
manufacturing aud building pursuits. T..
7. The enactment of Jaws to comp ]
chartered corporations to pay their employee
weekly, in full, for labor performed tbs
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country. ~.
s. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work fo'
their full wages. =
g. The sbolishment Of 'he contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever aud whereVer employ ers
aud employs are willing to mest on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition Of the employment OF
children in workshops, mines and faotorie-,
before attaining their fourteenth year.
/ IL. To abolish the system of letting out by
contract the labor of convicts in our prisons
and reformatory institutions.
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work. Il
IA. The reduction of ths hours of labor to
eight per day, SO that the laborers may have
more time fos social enjoyment and intel
iectusl improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the labor.saying
machinery which their brains have created.
Is. To prevail upon governments to les:ab.
lish a purely national circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without the
Intervention Of any system of banking cor.
poratious, which money shall be legal
tender in payment of all debts, public and
private. - -