The Labor enquirer., 1885-01-24
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Preambled Declaration Of the
Principles Of this Great
Order.

j.. H ~ . d ~
The alarming development and aggression
of ofaggregated wealth, which, unless checked,
will inevitably lead to the pauperization and
hopeless degradation Of the toiliug masses
renders it Imperative we desire to enjoy
the blessings Of life, that = check should b
placed upon its power and upon uriust accs
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 unifcation oi
those who labor, and the united efforts oi
those who earn their bread by the sweat o
their brow, We have formed the order of the
Knights of SLsbor, with view OF securing
the organization and direction, by. co.opera.
tive effort, OF The power of the Industrial
classes and we snbmit to the world the
objects sought to be accomplished by opl
Organization, calling upon all who believe in
securing "the greatest gond to the grestes
number y to aid end assist uH.
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. .-,-
of the wealth hat they create more of the
leisure that rightfulIy 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 epjhyin Il Az.
preciating, defending and pefpetuatiDg the
blessings Of good government +
8. To arrive at the true condition of thu
producing masses in their. educational, moral
and financial condition, by demanding from
the various governments the establishment
of bureaus of labor statistics. T. ...-
A. The establishment Of co.opelatise in
stitutions. productive and distributive.
5. The reservlug of the public landslide
heritage of the people-for the actual settler.
Not another acrstor rsilroadsnr corporations.
6. The abrogstiop of allla#s that do no. bear
equally upon capital aud labor; fhe removal
of unjust technicalities, delays and discrimi.
nations in the administrationo of justice; and
the adopting Of aeasurss providing for ths
Meath and safety Of those engaged in mining,
manufacturing and building pursuits.
z. The enactment Of laws to compel
chartered corporations to pay their employ :
weekly. in full, for labor performed tt z
preceding week. in the lawful money OF the
country.
8. The e1sctmento laws giving mechanics
and laBorers the first lien on their work for
their full wages
9. The sbolishmentso of he contract system
on national, STATE and municipal work.
10. The substitution Of arbitration for
strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employe are, ~illingto meet on equitable
grounds.
IL. The prohibition of the employment OF
children in workshops, mines and factories,
before attaining their fourteenth year.
IL. To abolish the system Of letting out by
contract the labor Of conyicts in our prlsoIs
and reformatory institutions.
10. To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
IA. The reduction of the hours Of labor to
eight psr day. 20 thstthe laborers may have
more time for social enjoyment and intel.
iectual improvement, and be enabled to reap
the advantages conferred by the lfbor.ssving
machinery which their brains hsve created.
Is. To prevail npon governments to estah-
lish purely natlonL circulating medium,
issued directly to the people, without the
intervention o. any system Of banking cor.
porations. whieh money shall be legal
tender in payment ot ell debts, public and
privsts.