The Labor enquirer., 1884-05-24
KNIGHT OF LABOR.
The Preamblea Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming development and agrees on
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 check should be
placed upon its power and upon M ust acca'
mu alton, and a system adopted which will
secure to the laborer the fruits Of hii toll
aud as this much desired object can only be
accomplished by the thorough unifcation oi
hose 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, of the power of the industrial
Glasses 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 sid and assist us.
/. 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 toilsrs proper share
leisure that rightfully belongs to them more
ociety advantages; more or the benefits
privileges and emoluments of the world in
a word, all those rights and privileges neces-
ary to make them capable of enjoying, sp.
preciating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government.
3. To arrive at the true condition Of ths
producing masses in their educational, moral
sud financial condition., by demanding from
| the various governments the establishment
| OF bureaus of labor statistics.
4. The establishment of cooper alive in.
stitutions productive and distribative. -
S. The reserying of the public lands the
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
| Not another acre Tor railroads or corporations
6. The abrogation of all laws that 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 pursuits. ..<;
7. 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. -
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanic
and latorers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
g.. The sbokshment of the contract system
on national, STATE and municipal work.
TO- The substitution OF arbitration for
strikes, Whenever and wherever EMPLOYERS
and employe are willing 10 NEST on equitable
| grounds. e'E
IL. The prohibition Of the employment Of
children in workshops, mines and factorie
before attaining their fourteenth rear.
| IL. To abolish the system OF letting out by
contract the labor of convictsI in our prisons
and reformatory institutions.
13 To secure for both sexes eausl pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours of labor TO
eight per day, 80 that the laberers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel
ieetual Improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the labor saving
machinery which their brains have created.
15. To prevail upon governments to estab.
lish a purely national circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without the
Intervention Of any system Of banking cor
porations, which money shall be legal
tender in payment Of all debts, public and
private.