Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1886-06-06
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.

Preamble and Declaration Of Prin T.
ctples of this. Great and Growing
Order OF Working men.
The alarming development and aggress-
iveness Of great capitalists and corpora
tions, unless checked, will inevitably lead
to the paupsrization and hopeless degrade.
tion OF the toiling masses.
II Is imperative, II 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 10 10 more--in IL are crystalized senti-
ments and measures fot the beneHt OF the
whole people, but - should be borne In
mind, when exercising tho right OF suf-
frage, that most of the objects herein set
forth can only be obtained through legisla-
tion, and that IL Is the duty Of ell to as
sist in nominating and supporting with
their votes only such candidates az 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 tho 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.
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
ut the hands Of the State:
Ill. The establishment of Bureaus Of La.
Dor statistics, that we may arrive at . correct
knowledge or the educational, moral, and
financial condition OF the laboring masses.
~. That the public lands, the heritage of
tie people, be reserved for actual settlers; not
another acre for railroads or speculstors, and
that all lands now held for speculative pur.
poses be taxed {, their full valne.
v. The abrogation of all laws that do not
bear equally upon capital and labor, aud the
remova ii of unjust tochnics lities. delays aud
Determinations in the administration VI ius i.
tice.
vi. The adoption Of measures providing for
the health and safety of those engaged in min
aud for decentralization TO those engaged
therein for injuries received through lack ot
necessary safeguards.
VII. The recognition by incor poration OF
trades unions. orders, aud such other sssocia-
tiols 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 III
lawful money, for the labor OF the preceding
week, and giving m,chanics and isborers \
first lien upon the products of their labor to
the extent OF their full Wsges.
TX. The abolition OF tho contract system
on National. State and Municipal works.
X. The enactment of laws provid ng for
arbitration between employers and employed.
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.
XIII To prohibit the hiring out OF convict
labor.
XIII. That . graduated income tax be
levied.
And we demand st the hands of Congress:
XIV. The establishment of national none.
tsry 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 aud
private and that the Governments shsll 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, whom need arises, the
emergency shall be met by issue of legal
tender, non-interest bearing meney.
XVI. The importation of foreign labor un-
der contract be prohibited.
XVII That IN connection with tho 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 operation of any means OF trans
porting intelligence. passengers or freight.
And while making the foregoing demands
upon thu State and National Government. wo
will endeavor to associate our own lsbGrs.
XIX. To establish cooperative institutions
such as will tend to supersede tho wage sys-
tenn, by the Introduction Of q 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.
XXI. To persuade employers to sgree to
arbitrate all differences which may arise be-
tween them and their employees, in orderstha at
the bonds of sympathy between them may be
strengthened and that strikes may be rendered
unnecessary.