The Labor enquirer., 1884-11-22
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming development AMI aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead to the pauperization aud
hopeless degradation of the toiling masses,
renders it imperative, 1t we desire tn enjoy
the blessings OF life, that q check should be
placed upon its power and upon uri just accH
mutation, and system sdrpted which will
secure to the lsborer the fruits OF bis 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 Of
heir brow, We have formed the order Of the
Knights Of Labor, with q view OF securing
the organization and direction, By co opera
tive effort, of the power Of the industrial
caeses and we submits to the world the
objects sought to be accomplished BY our
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing "the q eatsst good to the Creates
number," to aid and assist us.
1. To bring within the fold of orgsniza ion
every department of productive iDdustrr (,
making knowledge stand roint for ae,ior !,
and industrial, moral worth, MT wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness.
2. To secnre to the t',ilsrs a proper shars
of the wealth hat tbey create more of the
leisure that righriully belongs to them mar
ociety advantages; more OF the benefits
privileges and em ,lnments of the world; il
a word all those rights and privileges neces,
ary to make them capable of eni, Il ~
preciatiug, defending and perpstusting tn
blessings of good government
3. To arrive al the true condition OF tha
producing masses in their educational, moral
and 6uanci,f condition, by demsnding from
the various governments the establishment
of bureaus of labor statistics.
4. The establi. bmeut OF co operative 10.
stituticns. productive and distrihutive
5. The ressrvIng of the public lands th-
heritage OF the people-for-the actual settler
Not another acre tor railroads or corporations.
6. The abrugalion of q i laws that not bear
equally upon capital aud labor; the removal
of unjust techDicalities, delays and disorimi.
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.
7. The enactment of laws to compe,
chartered corpor" tions to pay their employe.
weekly, in full, for labor performed tins
preceding week in the lawful money OF the
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
spd lstorers the first lien on their work for
their full wages.
9. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution OF arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employe are willing TO meaton equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment OF
children in workshops, mines and fsetorie-,
before attaining their fourteenth year.
10. To abolish the system OF letting out by
contract the labor of convic in our prisons
and refarmstory ipstitutions.
13. To secure 20. b"h sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA. The REDUCTION of the hougs OF labor to
eight per day, so that the laborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel
le,tual improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the lsbnr.saving
machinery which their brains have created.
15. To prevail upon governments tn es,ab
lish purely na"on"l circulating medium,
issued directly to th4 people, without The
Intervention Of any system OF banking cor,
poratious, which money shall he legal
tender in payment Of Hll debtq, public and
privst-.