Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1886-04-29
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.

Preamble and HecIarati0n or Prfn.
ciples of this Great and Growing
| Order OF wOrkingmen.
The alarming development and aggress-
iyeness Of great capitalists and corpora
tions, unless checked, will inevitably lead
to the pauperiza,ion and hopeless degrade
tion OF the toilng masses.
1t is imperative, II we desire to enjoy the
full blessings OF life, that o 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
dustFial masses. not az political party,
for IL is more-in it are crystalized senti-
ments and measures for the benefit OF the
whole people, but IL should be borne in
mind, when exercising the right Of suf.
frage, that most Of the objects herein set
forth can only be obtained shrough legisla-
tion, aud that il 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-
gsrdless of party. But no one shall, how.
ever, be compelled to vote with the major
ity, and calling upon all who believe in ss-
curing "the greatest good to the greatest
number" to Join and assist US, we declare
to the world that our aims are:
I. To make industrial and moral worth, not
wealth. the true standard OF individual and
national greatness.
IL. TO secure to the workers the full enjoy.
ment of the wealth they create, sufficient
leisure in which TO develop their intellectual
moral aud social faculties; all Of the benefits,
re creation and pleasures OF association; in =
word, to enable them TO share In the gains an d
honors OF advancing civilization.
In order to secure these results, We demand
at the hands Of the State:
III. 1he establishment of Bureaus of La
Dor statistics, tbat We may arrive at correct
knowledge OF the educational, moral, and
financial condition Of the laboring masses.
Nv. That the public lands, the heritage Of
tie people. be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads or apeculstors, and
that all lands now held for speculstlve.pur-
poses be taxed t. their full value.
V. The abrcgation of al laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor, and the
removal Of unjust techntc lities. delays and
determinations in the administration of jus.
ttce.
vi. The adoption Of measures providing for
the health and safety of those engaged In min.
ing, manufacturing and building industries,
and for Naturalization TO those engaged
therein for injuries received through lack OF
necessary safeguards
VII The recognition by incor rporstion OF
trades unions, orders, aud such other sssocia-
tions 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
lawful money, for the labor OF the preceding
week, and giving IN chanics and lsborers y
n at ian than q Ia Ahnrt
the exteI. OF their full wages.
TX The abolition of the contract system
on National. State and Municipal works.
X The enactment OF laws provtd nR for
arbitration between employers and employed,
and to force the decision Of the ar3itrAtors.
XI. The prohibition by law OF the employ
ment of CHILDREN under 10 years OF age in
work. hops mines and factories.
XII 10 prohibit tho hiring out OF convict
Kill. That graduated income tax be
levied.
And We demand at the hands Of Congress:
XIV. The establishment Of q national none-
tary system, in which a circulating medium
in necessary quantity shall issue direct TO the
people. without the Intervention OF banks;
that all the nstionsl issue shall be full legal
tender iu 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 fssued by ths
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
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 telegrsphs. telephones
and railroad and that hereafter no charter or
license be issued to any corporation for con-
structiou or operation of any means OF trans
porting intelligence. passengers or Ieight.
And while making the foregoing demands
upon tho State aud National Government. We
will endeavor to associate our own lsbors.
XIX. To establish cooperative institutions
such as will tend TO supersede the wage sys-
tenn by the introduction Of = cooperative In
dustrial system.
Xxx. To secure for both sexes equal pay for
equal work.
Xxx. To shorten the hours of labor by Q
general refusal to work for more than eight
hours.
XXII. To persuade employers to sgree to
arbitrste 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.