The Labor enquirer., 1886-09-11
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Preamble and Declaration of Principles
of This Great and Growing
Order OF Workingmen.

OF This Great and Growing
Order OF worktngmen.
The alarming development and aggressive
ness Of great capitalists and corporations, un-
less checked, will Inevitably lead to the
pauperization and hopeless degradation Of
the toiling masses.
| 1t is imperative, If we desire to enjoy the
full blessings Of life, that a check be placed
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 thou eat bread"
Therefore we have formed the Order of
Knights of Labor, for the purpose of organiz-
| ing and directing the power Of the industrial
masses, not as a political party, for it is more
in 1t are crystalized sentiments and meas
ures for the benefit of the whole people, but
it should be borne in mind, when exer cising
the right OF suffrage, that most of the objects
herein set forth can only be obtained through
legislation and that it is the duty of all to as
sist In nominating and supporting with their
votes only such candidates as will pledge
tn cir support to those measures, regardless OF
party. But no one shall, however, be COM
PEELED to vote with the majority, and calling
upon all who believe in securing "the greatest
good to the greatest number to join and as
sist us, we declare to the world that our aims
are
l. To make Industrial and moral worth, not
wealth, the true standard Of individual and
National greatness
II. To secure to the workers the full enjoy
ment of the wealth they create, sufficient
leisure in which to develop their intellectual,
moral and social faculties; all Of the benefits,
recreation and pleasures Of association; in
word, to enable them to share in the gains
and honors of advancing civilization.
In order to secure these results, we demand
of the STATE:
III. The establishment Of Bureaus of Labor
Statistics, that we may arrive at correct
ledge of the educational, moral and fl
nancial condition of the laboring masses.
~. That the public lands, the heritage of
the people, be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads or speculators, and
that all lands now held for speculative pur-
poses be taxed TO their full value.
v.
bear equally upon capital and labor, and the
removal of unjust teehnicalities, delays and
Determinations in the administration of
justice.
vi. The adoption OF measures providing
for the health and safety of those engaged in
mining, manufacturing and building indus
tries, and for Orindemnificationt 10 those engaged
therein for injuries received through lack Of
necessary safeguards.
VII The recognition by incorporation, of
trades, unions, ORDERS and such other associa-
tions as may be organized by the working
masses to improve their condition and pro-
tect their rights
VIII. The enactment of laws to compel
corporations to pay their employees weekly,
In lawful money, for the labor of the preced-
ing week, and giving mechanics and laborers
first lien upon the product Of their labor to
the extent of their full wages.
TX The abolition Of the contract system on
National, State and Municipal works.
X. The enactment of laws providing for ar
bitration between employers and employed,
and to enforce the decision Of the arbtrators.
XI. The prohibition by law of the employ
ment of children under Is years of age in
workshops, mines and factories.
XII To prohibit the hiring out Of convict
labor
XIII. That a graduated income tax be
levieo.
And we demand at the hands Of CONGRESS: ::
XIV. The establishment of National mou-
etary system, in which circulating medium
in necessary quantity shall 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 Government shall not
guarantee or recognize any private banks, or
create any banking corporations.
XIV. That interest 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 ten
der, non-interest- bearing money.
XVI. That the impor rtation of foreign labor
under contract be prohibited.
XVII. That, in connection with the post
office, the Government shall organize f1nan
cial exchanges, safe deposits and facilities for
deposit 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 railroads, and that hereafter no charter
or license be issued to any corporation for
construction or operation Of any means of
transporting intelligence, passengers or
freight.
And while making the foregoing demands
upon the State and National Government, we
will endeavor to associate our own lahOrs:
XIX. To establish cooperative institutions
such as will tend to supercede the wage sys-
| tenn, by the introduction Of a cooperative in
dustrial system.
Xxx. To secure for both sexes equal pay for
equal work.
XXI. To shorten the hours Of labor by a
general refusal to work for more than eight
hours.
XXI. To pursuade employers to agree to
arbitrate 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