The Labor enquirer., 1884-08-09
KNIGHT OF LABOR.
Tho prsamhld Declaration d the
Principles of this Great
Order.

The alarming devsldpmsnt and aggression
of Aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead 70 the pauperixation AMI
hopeless degradation Of the toiliag masses
renders Il imperative, it We desire 70 epic,
the blesaings Of life. that . check should b
placed upon il power and upoa uDiuzt aoca
mutation. and system adopted which vii
secure 10 the lsborer the fruits Of hid toll
and - this much desired object can only b,
accomplished BY the thorough uni6cation .
those who labor, and the united efforts O
those who earn their bread BY the sweat o
their brow. we have formed the order OF thi
Knights Of Labor, with : view Of securing
the organisation and direction, BY co.opera
tive effort, of the power Of the industrial
classes and We submit to the world thu
objects sought to be accomplished by onl
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing 'sthe g,eateet good to the greatest
number" 70 aid and assist IN.
|. 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 shan
Of the wealth that they create; more Of tn,
leisure that rightfully belongs to them morr
ociety advantages; more of ths benefits
privileges and emoluments of the world il
word, all those rights and privileges neces>
ary to make them capable Of enjoying. ap.
preciating. defending and perpetuating th,
blessings Of good government,
8. To arrive at the true condition of tn
producing masses in their educational, mors
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 reservlng Of the public lands-th,
heritage of the people-for the actual settle,
Not snother acrefor railroads or corporations
6. The abrogation fall laws that do not bea
equally upon capital and labor; The remova
of unjust technicalities, delays and discrimi
nations in the administration of Justice; anf
the adopting of measures providing for th,
health and safety Of those engaged in mining
manufacturing and building pursuits.
Z. The enactment of laws to compt,
chartered corporations to pay their employe
weekly, in full, for labor performed th,
preceding week. in the lawful money OF th,
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanic
and laborers the first lien on their work fo
their full wages.
9. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration foi
Strikes whenever and wherever employer
and employe are willing to meet on equitabl
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment oil
children in workshops, mines and factorie.
before attaining their fourteenth year. F
II. To abolish the system OF letting out b,
contract the labor Of conyicts in our prison
and reformstory institutions. Z s....
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work. "./zF s....s. i
Nh. The reduction of the hours of labor to
eight per day, SO that the laborers may hav,
more, time for social enjoyment and intel
leetusl improvement, and be enabled to rear.
the advantages conferred by the labor.saviDp =
machinery, which their brains have creste,l
15. To prevail upon governments to essab
lish 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. VI ,'\A N ~