The Labor enquirer., 1884-04-05
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 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 aud 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 unifeation OF
those who labor, and The united Efforts oil
those who earn their bread by the sweat OF
their brow,-we have formed the order Of the
Knights of Labot, With a vleR OF securing
the organization and direction, by coopera.
tive effort, of the power of the industrial
classts 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 assist us., .# .t-1,~l .
1. 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 tGilsrs a proper share
of the wealth hat hey create; more of the
leisure that rightfulIy 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, ap.
preciating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government.
3. To arrive at the true condition Of the
producing masses in their educational, moral
aid financial condition, by demanding from
the various governments the establishment
Of bureaus of labor statistics.
4. The establishment of cooperative in.
stitusions. productive ard distrbutye
5. The reserving of the public lands-the
heritage of the people-f'r The actual settler
Not another acre for railroads or corporations
6. The abrogation Cf laws that do not bear
equally upon capital AID labor; The removal
Of Unjust technicalities, delays and discrimi
nations in the admiDstrar ion 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 corpor tions to ray their employees
weekly, in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money o. tie
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and l4Lnrers The first lieu ou their work for
their full wages.
g. The sbOlishm n # h. contract ~ EN-
on natiousl, STATE ard mnhi3pal W re-
10. The suhstitutim OF arbtrniun for
4trik es, whenever AMI Aharrver employers
aud employe are willing % u.e-t on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment Of
Chi Idren in work eh"ps mlr's aud tsctOrles,
before attaining their Inure eeEth year.
r. 70 hbOlish the system OF letting out by
contract the labor of conVic $ in our prisons
and refurmatory institutions.
l3. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours OF labor 10
eight per day, so that the laHorers mny haze
more time for social enjoyment AID intel
lie ,tual improvement, and b. enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the labor shV ~
machinery which their brsros have c'e4'eh.
Is. To prevail upon govprnmPn to es'ab
lish purely national circu atnt m-!'u"r,
issued directly to the p1orle, vi hoHt the
Intervention Of any system nj la ,hi"g cor
porations, which money sha'l he !. legal
tender in payment of all debts, pN"I'" Hnd
private.