The Labor enquirer., 1884-09-13
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration If the
Principles Of this Great
Order.

Tie 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 blessiugsof life, that's q check should be
\ placed upon its power and upon nj Just aecu
mutation, and q system adopted which will
secure tothe laborer the fruits of his toll;
and as this much desired objecscan 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
itheiE 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 assistuS. " ,
/. To bring within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry,
1 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 t1ilers proper share
Of the wealth hat ibey create; more Of the
leisure that rightfuliy belongs to them more
\ ociety advantages; more or the benefits,
privileges and enoluments of the world ;4n1
| a word, all those rights and'privileges neces-
airy to make them capable Of enjoying; /Ap.
| preciating. defending and perpetuating the
blessings Of good government. IL
3. Toarrivest at the true condition OF thu
producing masses in their educational, moral
and financial condition, by demanding from
the various governIaehts tbs /estabishmen
OF bureaus of labor statistics
4. The establishment Of Co operative in
stitutions. productive and distributiye.
1 5. The reserping of the public lands the
heritage of the people for the actual settler.
/ Not another acreior railroads or corporations.
j 6. The sbrogation of all laws that dolnot bear
equally upon capital and labor; the removal
Of unjust technicalitieE, delays and diserimi.
i nations in the ADMINISTRATION of justice and
4 the adopting of measures providing for the.
health and safety OF those engaged in thinning,
manufacturing aud building pursuits.
4 - The enactment, Of laws to compel
chartered corporations to pay their employees
weekly. in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country.
i 5. The enactment of lawssgiying mechanics
and, laborefs the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
8. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, State and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
aud employe are willing,to mest on equitsble
grounds.
IL. The prohibition of the employment OF
children in work shops, mines and factories,
before attaining their fourteenth year.
u. To abolish the system OF letting ont by
contract the labor Of convicts in our prisons
and reformatory institutions. 4 4
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work. XXI i
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
kle,tual improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the lsborsaVIns 4;
machinery which. their brains have created
Is. To prevail upon governments to es'ao.
lish purely national circulating medium
issued directly to the people, without sne
Intervention Of any system Of banking cor.
porations, which money shall be legal
tender in payment of sll debts, puoiic anu
private.