The Labor enquirer., 1884-07-05
KNIGHT OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming development and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked,
will inevitably lead to the pauperization and
hopeless degradatio of the toiliug masses,
renders it imperative, il we desire tn enio,
the blessings OF life, that check should be
placed upon its power and upon uT'iust acca'
mutation, and a system ad pied which will
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll !;
aud as this much desired object can only be
accomplished by the thorough nfcation 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 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 onr
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing ''the greatest good to the greatest
number" to aid and assist uH. % \
/. To bring within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry,
making knowledge q stand point for action,
and industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness.
2. To secure to the toilsrs q proper share
of the wealth that they create; more of the
leisure that rightfully belongs to them more
ociety advantages more Of the benefits,
privileges and emoluments of the world In
a word, all those rights and privileges neces-
ary to make them capable of enjoying, ap.
precisting, defending and perpetuating 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
stitutions. productive and distributive.
5. The reserying of the public landslide
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acre tor railroads or corporations.
6. The abrogarion of all laws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor; the removal
of unjust technicalitiss, 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. / ..-.~-. iii :.l% r
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborsrs the first Lemon their work fol
their full wages. -. A@.... H.
9. The abolishmens of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration fol
strikes, whenever. and wherever employers
and employe are willing to meet on equitable
grounds. - r.H
II. The prohibition of the employment ol
children in workshops, mines and fsctories
before attaining their fourteenth year.
IL. To abolish the system of letting out BY
contract the labor Of convicts in our PRISON.
and reformatory institutions.
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours of labor 4
eight per day, 80 that the laborers may hav'
more time for social enjoyment and intel
le,tual improvement, and be enabled to real
the sdvantages conferred by the lsbor-savinl
machinery which their brains have created
Is. To prevsir Spon governments to estah
Elishs purely national circulating medium
issued directly TO- the people, without tn
Intervention q any system " banking COZ
porations, which money shall Be sleRa
tender in payment Of Ill debt, public an
priyste,