Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1886-05-26
TnE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Preamble and declaration of Prin
etpies Of this Great and Growing
Order of VI OF h kinglnen.

Preamble and DECLARATION of Prin.
ciples Of this Great and Growing
Order of orkingInem.
The alarming development and agrees.
iveness of great capitalists and corpors.
iions, unless checked, will inevitably lead
TO the pauperization and hopeless degrade.
tion Of tue toilipg masses.
1t is imperative, il we desire to enjoy the
full blessings of life. that check be plsced
upon unjust accumulation, and the power
for evil of aggregated wealth.
This much-desired object Can be accom-.
plished only by the united efforts OF those
who obey the divine injunction. "In the
sweat Of thy face shalt ihou eat bread"
Therefore We have formed the Order of
Knights Of Labor, for the purpose OF or
gsnizing and directing the power OF the in
dustrial masses, not as q political party,
FOR it is more-in it are crystalized senu-
menis and measures for the benefit of the
whole people, but j, should be borne in
mind, when exercising the right of sui
frage, that most of tho objects herein set
forth can only bo obtained through legisls-
iion, and that it is the duty Of ell to as
sist in nominating and supporting with
their votes only such candidates as will
pledge their support to those measures, re-
gardless of party. But no one shall, how
ever, be compelled to vote with the major
ity, and calling upon all who believe in se-
curing the greatest good to the greatest
number," to join and assist US, we declare
TO the world that our aims are:
l. TO make Industrial and moral worth not
wealth. the true staLdard of individual and
national grektuesr.
ii. To secure to the workers the full enjoy
ment of the wealth they create, sufficient
leisure in which TO develop their inteIlectusI
moral aid social faculties; all of the beLents,
recreation and pleasures OF association; In u
word, to enable thtu 10 share in the gains and
henors OF adSai cling civilization.
Ia order 10 secure these results, we demand
st the lands OF the state;
Ill. 1hs establishment of Bureaus of La.
Dor Statistics, that We may arrive 1T q correct
knowledge oI the educational moral, and
financial condition Of the laboring passes.
". That the public lands, the heritage of
the peopl. be reserved Tor actual seitl,ls: not
smother acre for railroads ur speculators and
that all lands now held for speculative pur-
pUses be taxed { their full value.
V. The abrugation Of al laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor. and the
reno ssI Of unjust techLic .lities. delays and
dfscIiminslions in the administration Of ius
tice,
VI The adoption Of measure providing for
the health and safety of those engaged IN min
ing, manufacturing and building Indus tries,
and for indemnifcation TO those engaged
therein for injuries re, eived through lack OF
necessary safeguards.
VII. The recognition by ind or poration of
trades unions, orders, aud such other Associs-
tioLs as may be organized by the working
masses to improve their condition and protect
their rights.
VIII. The enactment Of laws to compel
corporations TO pay their employees weekly In
lawfGl money, for the lsbar OF the preceding
week, and giving M chaniss snd laborers 3
first lien upon the products Of their labor to
the extent Of their fun wages.
lX The abolition of the contract system
on National, state and Municipal works.
Y. The enactment of laws providing for
arbitration b. tween emp -oyers and eInpioysd
and to force the decision of the arbitrators.
XI. The prohibition by law of the employ
meut of chilcren under Is years Of age in
works hops, mines and factories.
XII To prohibit tho hiring cut OF convict
labor.
XIII. That q graduated income tax be
levied.
And we demand at the hands Of Congress:
XIV The establishment of anstionAl none.
tAry system, in which circulating medium
in necessary quantity shsll issue direct TO the
people, without the intervention of banks.
that all the national issue shall be full legal
tender in payment of all debts. public and
private; and that the Governments shall not
guarantee or recognize any private banks, or
creste any banking corporations.
XIV That int, rest bearing bonds, bills of
credit or notes shall never be issued By the
Government, but that, when need arises, the
emergency shall be met by issue Of legal
tender, non-iDterest bearing money.
XVI. The importation OF foreign labor un.
der contract be proh bited.
XVII That in connection with the Post
office, the Government shall organize financial
exchanges, safe deposits and facilities for de-
posit of the savings Of the people in small
sums.
XVIII That the Government shall obtain
possession, by purchase. under the rights of
eminent domain, Of all telegraphs, telephones
and railrc ads. and that hereafter no charter or
license be issued to any corporation for con-
struction or operation Of any means Of trans
porting Intelligence. passenger rs or freight.
And while making the foregoing demands
upon the State and National Government, We
will endeavor to associate our own lAbors.
XIX. To establish cooperative institutions
such as will tend to supersede the wage sys-
tenn, by the Introduction Of q cooperative In
dustrisl system.
Xxx. To secure for both sexes equal pay for
eqnal work.
XX. To shorten the hours Of labor by Q
general refusal to work for more than eight
hours.
XXI. To persuade employers to seree 10
srbitrate all differences which may arise be-
tween them and their employees. in order that
the bonds of sympathy between them may be
strengthened and that strikes may be rendered
unnecessary.