The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-10-01
PLATFORM OF THE KNIGHTS
OF LABOR.
Adopted i, Philadelphia. september IL. 1881,

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OF LABOR.
Adopted il, Philadelphia. september 10. 1881.
! The alarming development and
aggressiyeness Of great capitalists
land corporations. unless checked
will inevitably lead to the paupcr-
ization and hopeless degradation
Of the toiling masses.
/ It is imperative, if we desire t.
enjoy the tnll blessings Of life,
that check be placed upon unjus,
accumulation and the power fol
evil Of aggregated wealth.
| This much-desired object can be
accomplished only by the united
efforts of those who obey the d.
vine Injunction, in the sweat
Of thy face shalt thou eat Bread
Therefore we have formed the
Order Of knights Of Labor, for the
purpose Of organizing and direct
ing the power Of the industrial
masses, not as political party,
for it is more; in it are crystalliz-
ed sentiments and measures for
the benefit Of the whole people,
but it should be borne in mind,
when exercising the right Of suf-
| trage. that most Of the objects
herein set set forth can obtained
through legislation, and that it is
the duty Of all to assist in nomin-
ating and supporting with their
votes only such candidatcs.as will
pledge their support to those
measures, regardless of party. But
no one shall, however. be COMPEL
ed to vote with the majority, and
calling upon all who believe in
securing 1.-THE greatest good to the
greatest NUMBER" to join and as
sist us, we declare to the world
that our aims are:
/. To make industrial and
moral worth, not wealth, the true
standard of individual and nation
al greatness.
II. To secure to the workers
the full enjoyment Of the wealth
they create, sufficient leisure in
which to develop their intellectual,
moral and social faculties; all OF
the benefits, recreation and plea:
sures Of association; in a word, to
enable them to share in the gains
and honors Of advancing civiliza-
ton.
In order to secure these results,
we demand at the hands of the
State:
III. The establishment of
Bureaus of Labor Statistics, that
we may arrive at a correct know
ledge Of the educational, moral
and financial condition Of the lab
oring masses.
". That the public lands, the
heritage Of the people, be reserved
for actual settlers; not another acre
for railroads or spectators, and
that all lands now held for specula-
tive purposes be taxed to their
full value.
V. The abrogation OF all laws
that do not bear equally upon
capital and labor, and the removal
ofuniust technicalities, delays and
determinations in the administra-
ton Of justice.
vi. The adoption Of measures
providing for the health and safe
ty Of those engaged in mining,
manufacturing and building in
dustries, and for indemnification
to those engaged therein for in
.juries received though lack Of nee
essary safeguards.
VII. The recognition, by in
corporation, Of trades-unions, ord
ers, and such other associations as
may be organized by working
masses to improve their condition
and protect their rights.
VIII. The enactment Of laws
to compel corporations to pay
their employees weekly, in lawful
money, for the labor Of the pre-
ceding week, and giving mechanics
and laborers first lien upon the
product Of their labor to the ex-
tent of their full wages.
TX. The abolition Of the con
tract system on national. State and
municipal works.
x. The enactment of laws pro-
viding for arbitration between en-
ployers and employed, and to en-
force the decision of the arbitra
tors.
XI. The prohibition by law of
the employment Of children under
fifteen years Of age IN workshops,
mines ana IacCOrleS.
MI. To prohibit the hiring
out Of convict labor.
XIII. Thata graduated income
tax be levied.
And we demand at the hands Of
Congress:
XIV. The establishment Of a
national monetary SYSTEM. in
which circulating medium in
necessary quantity shall issue d.
rect to the people, without the in
tervention OF banks; that all the
national issue shall be full legal
tender in payment Of all debts,
public and private; and that the
Government shall not guarantee or
recognize any private banks, or
create any banking corporations.
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