Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1886-06-19
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Preamble and Declaration OF Prin .
ciples Of this Great and Growing
Order of WOrkingmen.


ciples Of this Great and Growing
Order of WOrkingmen.
The alarming development and aggress-
iveness Of great capitalists and corpora
tions, unless checked, will inevitably lead
TO the pauperization and hopeless degrade.
ton OF the toiling masses.
It is imperative, If we desire to enjoy the
full blessings Of life, that 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 or
ganizing and directing the power Of the in
dustrial masses, NOT as political party,
for IL is more-in it are crystalized senti-
ments and measures for the benefit of the
whole people, but 10 should be borne in
mind, when exercising the right of suf-
frsge, that most of the objects herein set
forth can only be obtained through legisla-
tion, and that it is the duty of all 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 Sc
curing "the greatest good to the greatest
number" to Join and assist us, we declare
to the world that our aims are:
1. 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 creste, sufficient
leisure in which to develop their intellectual
moral and social faculties; all of the Dement'S,
recreation and pleasures OF association; in q
word, to enable them to share in the gains and
honors Of advancing civilization.
In order to secure these results, we demand
at the hands Of the State:
Ill. The establishment of Bureaus of La
Dor Statistics, that we may arrive at Q correct
knowledge OF the educational, moral. and
financial condition Of the laboring masses.
Nv. That the public lands, the heritage of
the people, be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads or spectators, and
that sll lands now held for speculative pur.
poses be taxed to their full value.
V. The abrogation of all laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor, and the
removal of unjust technicslities, delays and
determinations in the administration Of ius
tice.
vi. The adoption of measures providing for
the health and safety of those engaged In min.
ing, manufacturing and building indus tries,
and for indemniication to 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 ss may be organized by the working
masses to improve their condition and protect
their rights. ssfa
VIII. The enactment of laws to compel
corporations to pay their employees weekly in
lawful money, for the labor Of the preceding
week, and giving mechanics and lsborers q
first lien upon the products of their labor to
the extent Of their full wages.
TX. The abolition of the contract system
on National, State and Municipal works.
K. The enactment of laws providing for
arbitration between employers and employed;s
and to force the decision of the arbitrators.
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 q graduated income tax be
levied.
And we demand at the hands of Congress:
XIV. The establishment of national none
tary 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
tender, non-interest bearing money.
XVI. The importation of foreign labor un-
der contract be prohibited.
XVII. That in connection with the POST
offce, 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 telegrsphs, telephones
and railroads, and that hereafter no charter or
license be issued to any corporation for con-
struction or operation Of any means Of trans
porting intelligence passengers or freight.
And while making the foregoing demands
upon the State and National Government, we
will endesvor 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
equal work.
Xxx. To shorten the hours of labor by o
general refusal to work for more than eight
hours.
XXI. To persuade employers to sgree to
arbitrate all differences which may ariae be-
tween them and their employees, in order that
the bonds of sympathy between them may be
strengthened and that strikes may be rendered
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