The Labor enquirer., 1885-03-28
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order. f..


of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked i,
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 q check should be
placed upon its power and upon unjust acca.
mutation, and a system adopted which will
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll !;
and as this much desired object can only be
accom- plished by the thorough unifcation of
those who labor, and the united efforts OF
those who earn their bread by the sweat o
knights of Labor, with a view OF securing
the organization and direction, by eo.opera.
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 creates
number" to aid and assist us.
/. 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 toilers a proper share
of the wealth that they create more of the
leisure that rightfully belongs to them mors
ociety advantages; more of the benefits,
privileges and emoluments of the world in
a word, all those rights and privileges neces-
ary to make them capable of enjoyin & aI'-
preciating, defending and perpetuatlng ths
blessings of good government.
3. To arrive at the true condition of tho
producing masses in their educational, mora
and financial condition, by demanding iron
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 landslide
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 rem"va
of unjust technicalities, 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
manufacturing and building pursuits.
7. The enactment of laws to comp.
chartered corporations to pay their employee
weekly, in full, for labor performed tht
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country.
8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work fol
their full wages.
9. The sbolishment of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution of arbitration fol
strikes, whenever and wherever employer
and employe are willing to meet on equitab BIZ
grounds.
II. The prohibition of the employment o
children in workshops, mines and factories
before attaining their fourteenth year.
II. To abolish the system of letting out BY
contract the labor of eonvicts in our PRISON.
and reformatory institutions.
13. TO secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours Of labor tt
eight per day, so that the laborers may hav'
more time for social enjoyment and intel
lie ,tual i'm provement, and be enabled to real
the advantages conferred by the labor-savint
machinery which their brains have created
Is. To prevail upon governments to estsb
lish purely national circulating medium
issued directly to the people, without tn
Intervention Of any system of banking cor
poratons, which money shall be legs
tender in payment of all debts, public ant
private.