The Labor enquirer., 1884-01-19
= KNIGHT OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great !
u +. 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, ii we desire to enjoy
the blessings of life, that check should bt
placed upon its power and upon unjust accu
mutation. and q system adopted which viii
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll
and as this mnch desired object can only BIZ
accomplished by the thorough unifcation' Of
those who labor, and the united efforts oi
those who earn their bread by the sweat oI
their brow, we have formed the order of the
Knights of Labor, with view of securing
the organization and direction, by coopera.
tive effort, of the power of the industrial
classes 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 vi. ~
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 toilsrs "a proper share
of the wealth that ihey create; more of the
leisure that rightfully belongs to them: more
ociety advantage; more OF the benefits,
privileges and emoluments of the world in
word, all those rights and privileges neces-
ary to make them capable of enjoying, ap.
preciating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government.
8. 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. ~ q, +
4. The establishment of cooperative in.
stitutiops. productive and distributive.
5. The reserving of the public lands-the
heritage Of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acre for railroads or corporations.
6. The abrogation 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,
and building pursuits.
z. The enactment of laws to compel
chartered corpor tions to pay their employees
weekly, in full, for labor performed the |
preceding week. in the lawful money Of the
sis,..5 81 Es :. #
s. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work for
heir full ywages. u
8. The abolisbment of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work
10. The substitution of arbitration for /
strikes, whenever and wherever employers |
md employe are willing TO meet on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibitiGa of the employment OF
,hildren in workshops, mines aud factories.
,efore attaining their fourteenth year.
IL. To abolish the system of letting ont by
contract the labor of conVic;s in our prisons
ind reformatory institutions.
Is. To secure for both sexes equal pay
or equal work, s.3s.lI
IA. The reduction of the hours of labor TO
light per day, so that the lsborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel
ectual Improvement, and be enabled to reap
be advantages conferred by the labor-sayine
which their brains have created.
! t15. To prevail upon governments to estab.
ish purely national circulating medium,
sued directly to the people, without the
d any ystem of banking cor
orations, which money shall b legal
'ndsr in payment Of Al debit, pablic and