Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-20
KNIGHTS OF LABOR PLATFORM,
AS Adopted at Philadelphia September
10, 1884, and Stu in Force,

As Adopted at Philadelphia septembe,
10, 1884, and stsiI in Force.
To those of our readers who are not ac.
quainted with the principles upon which
the Knights of Labor organization is based
which Order is rapidly increasing in mem.
bership, and taking prominent part in dis
turbances between labor and capital at the
present time, the following laid down as
its platform will be of interest:
l. To make industrial and moral worth no,
wealth. the true standard of individual and
national greatness.
2. To secure to the workers thief enjoyment
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 a word, to en-
able them to share in the gains and hOnors a,
advancing civilization
In order to secure these results we demand
at the hands of the State:
.. The establishment of bureaus of labor sta
tistics that we may arrive at correct knowl.
edge of the educational, moral and financial
condition of the laboring classes
4. That the public lands, the heritage of the
people, be reserved for actual settlers: moi
another acre for railroads or SPECTATORS and
that all lands now held for speculative pur-
poses to be taxed to their full value.
D. The abrogation of all laws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor. and the removal
of unjust technicalities, delays and discrimina-
tions in the administration Of justice.
b. The adoption of measures pro iding for
the health and safety of those engaged i'm min
ing, manufacturing and building Industries
and for decentralization to those engaged there
i'll for injuries received through lack of neces
sary safeguards.
4: The recognition, by Incorporation of trades
unions, Orders, and such other associations as
may be organized by the working masses to i'm
prove their condition and protect their rights
s. The ensctment of laws to compel CORPORA
tons to pay their employees weekly in lawful
money, for the labor of the preceding week, and
giving mechanics and laborers first lien upon
the product of their labor to the extent of their
fun wages
O. The abolition of the contract system on ma
tional. State and municipal works
10. The enactment of laws providing for arbi-
tra!ion between employers and employed and
70 enforce the decision of the arbitrators
II The prohibition by law of the employment
OF cnlldren under 10 years of age in workshops
mines and factories
u. To prohibit the hiring out of convict labor
IL. That graduated income tax be levied.
And we demand at the hands OF Congress:
Ia. The establishment of national monetary
system, in which a circulating medium in
necessary quantity shall issue direct to the peo-
pie, without the Intervention of banks; that all
the national issue shall be full legal tender for
all debts, public and private, and that the Gov
eminent shall not guarantee or recognize any
lions. '''' N''' ~ ''-A"s 0Oip'i'-
10. That interest-bearing bonds, bills of credit
or notes shall never be issued by the Govern
ment, Out tnat, Nnen need arises, the emergency
shall be met by the issue of legaltender, non
INTEREST," eariDg-mo
16. That the importation of foreign labor
under contract be prohibited.
II. That, in connection with the Postoffice
the Government shall organic financial ex-
changes, safe deposits and facilities for the de-
post of the savings of the people in small sums
IS. That the Government shall obtain pos
session, by. purchase, under the right of emf
nent domain, of all telegraphs telephones and
railroads, and that hereafter no charter or Ii
cense be issued TO any corporation for the 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 endeavor to associate our own labors-
49, To establish cooperative institutions such
as will supercede the wage system, by the in
PRODUCTION of a cooperative industrial system.
20. To secure for both sexes equal pay for
equal work.
81 To shorten the hours of labor by a general
refusal to work for more than eight hours
p. To persuade employers to agree to arbi-
trate all differences which may arise between
them and their employees, in order that the
bonds of sympathy between them may be
strengthened and that strikes may be rendered
unnecessary