The Labor enquirer., 1885-03-07
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order.

Inc alarming ueyelop nenI8nh aggression
|ofaggregated wealth, which, unless checked, !,
will inevitably lead to the pauperization and
hopeless degradation Of the toilipg masses.
renders it imperative, il We desire to enjoy
the blessings Of life, that q check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust accH
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 uni6cation Of
those who labor. and the united efforts Of
those who earn their bread by the sweat o
their brow, we have formed the order of the
Knights of Labor, with a view OF securing
the organization and direction, by coopera.
tive effort, of the power of the industrial
glasses and We submit to the world the
objects sought to be accomplished by our
organization, calling upon all who believe ia
securing "the greatest good to tn. creates
number" to aid and assist us.
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. IL. p:
2. To secure to the toilers propet share
Of the wealth that they create more of the
leisure that righrfully belongs to them !: more
oeiety 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 enjoyin 4 ap.
lpreciating, defending and perpetuatlng the
blesaings. of good government. t E
8. To arrive at the true condition of ths
lproducing 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 reserylng of the public landslide
1heritage of the people--for the actual settler.
Not another acrefor railroads or corporations.
6. The abrogation of all laws that do not besr
equally upon capital and labor; the removal
Of unjust technicali,ies, delays and discrimi.
nations in the administration of justice; and
the adopting Of measures providing for tht
seslth and safety OF those engaged in mining,
| manufacturing and building pursuits.
4. The enactment of laws to comps,
| chartered corporations to pay their employees
weekly, in full, for labor performed the
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country.
/ s. The enactment of laws giving mechanic
and laborers 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
4 strikes, whenever and wherever employers
i aud employe are willing TO meet on equitable
grounds.
II. The prohibition ef the employment OF
1 children in workshops. mines and fsctoriess
before attaining their fourteenth year.
u. To abolish the system OF letting out By
/ contract the labor of convicts in our prisons
/ and reformstory institutions.
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours Of labor TO
eight per day. SO that the laborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel
Iectual improvement, and be enabled to resp
the advantages conferred by the lsbor.ssving
/ machinery which their brains have created.
15. To prevail upon governments to esiab.
lish purely national circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without the
ntsrventisn Of any system Of banking cor.
porations, which money shall be legal
tender in payment Of all debts, public and
private.