The Labor enquirer., 1885-01-10
KNIGHTS OF LABOR
The preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order.

The alarming development and aggression
of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked
will inevitably lead to the pauperisation ani
hopeless degradation of the toiling masses
renders it imperative, ii we desire to enio,
the blessings of life, that check should b
placed upon its power and upon unjust accu
mutation. and system adopted which viii
secure to the laborer the fruits of his toll
and as this mnch desired object can only b
accomplished by the thorough uni6cation o
those who labor, and the united efforts o
those who earn their bread by the sweat 0
their brow, we have formed the order oftht
Knights Of Labor, with a view OF securing
the organization and direction, by co.opera
tive effort, of the power of the industria
classes; and we submit to the world the
objects sought to be accomplished by oul
organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing 'the q eatest good to the creates
number" to aid and assist III.
/. To bring within the fold of organization
every department of productive industry,
making knowledge astand point for action
and industrial, moral worth, not wealth, the
true standard of individual and national
greatness. <
2. To secure to the toilsrs proper share
of the wealth hat they create more of the
leisure that rightfully belongs to them: more
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 enioyin q, ap.
preciating, defending and perpetuating the
blessings of good government.
8. To arrive at the true condition Of ths
producing masses in their educational, moral
and financial condition, by demanding from
the various governments the establishment
or purcaus Of labor st-ti &,
4. The establishment of cooperative in,
stitutions. productive and distributive.
5. The reserylng Of the public Landslide
heritage Of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acretor railroads or corporations,
6. The abrogasion ofalll laws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor; The removal
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 oompei
chartered corporations to pay their employee
weekly, in full, for labor performed thu
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country. E..
. 8. The enactment of laws giving mechanics
and laborers the first lien on their work fol-
their full wages.
9. The abolishment of the contract system
on national, state and municipal work.
10. The substitution Of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employe are willing TO meet on equitable
grounds. ,.- T.
IL. The prohibition of the employment Of
children in workshops, mines and facteries
before attaining their fourteenth year..
IL. To abolish the system of letting out by
contract the labor OF c0nylcts In our prlsons
and reformstory institutions. . w..
13. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work. t. -.-r. 81
IA. The reduction of the hours Of labor te
eight per day, SO that the. laborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel
lectual improvement aud be enabled to rear
the advantages conferred by the labor.ssvine
machinery which their brains have created
15. To prevail upon governments to estab
lish purely national circulating medium
issued directly to the people, without thu
Intervention Of any system Of banking cor
porations, which money shall be lega
tender in payment Of all debts, public ane
private.