Declaration Of Principles Of The Knights Of Labor Of North America

The alarming developmetit and Bggressiveness of great capitalista and corporationa, unless checked, will inevitsbly tead to the pauperization and hopeless degradation of the toiling masse?. It is imperative, ïf we desire to enjoy the full blessings of life, that a check be put upon unjust accumulation, and the power for the evil of' aggregated wealtb. This much desired object can be aecomplished only by the united efforts of those who obey the divine injuuclion, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." Therefore we have formod the order of Knights of Labor, for the purpoao of organizing and directing the power of the industrial masses, not as a politica] . party, for it is more - in it are crystalüzed sentiments and measures for the benefit of the whole people, but it should bo borne in mind, when exercising the right ol suffrage, that most of the objects herein set forth can only be obtained tbrough legislatioi), and that it is the duty of all to assist in nominating and supporting with their votes only such candidates as will pledge their support to those measures, regardless f party. But no one skall, however, be compelled to vote with the majority, and calling upon all who believe in securing "the greatest good to the greatest number," to join and assist us, I. To make industrial moral worth, not wtalth, the true standard of individual and nacional greatr.ess. II. To secure to the workere the full enjovment of the wealth théy créate, sulficient leisure in whicli to develop tlieir intelle 'tual, moral and socinl t'acullies; all nfihe benffits, recreation and pleasures of asiociatiop; in a word, to enable tliem to share the gains and honors ot advancing oivilization. In order to secure these rtsults we demand at the hands of the stale: III. The establishment of bureaus of labor statistics ihat we may arrive at h correct ktiowledge ol the educational, moral and 'financial conditiou ot the laborine masses. IV. That the public lands, the heritage of the people, be reserved tor aciual dettlers; notanother acre for railroads or specuUtors, and thai all lands now held for speculative purposes be taxed to ihecc f uil value. V. The abrofwiuQ of all laws that do not bear wjuaily upoti capital and labor, and t-W removal oí' unj ï:.t uichnicalitiee, uelays and discriminations in the adminis - tration of justice. VI. The adoption of measures providing tor the health aud safety of those engaged in inining, manulacturing and build - ing industries, and for indemnification to those engaged therein for injuries reeeived through lack of nocessaiy safeajuards. VII. The ree Jgnition by incorporation of traiit-s' unions, orders, nd su.li other associations as ciiny be organized by ihu working masses to impruve their uondition and protect their rights. - VIII. The enactment of laws to compel corporations to pay their employés weekly in lawful money, for the labor of the precediug week, and mechanica and laberors a first lien upon the product of their labor to the extent of their lull wages. IX. The abolition ot the contract system on national, state and municipal worka. X. Tllü üiiuctluwilf of I-IWR Jifuvuliiij.' for arbitration between employers and employed, and to enforce the decisión ol the arbitrators. XI. The prohibition by law of the em ploy inent of children under 15 yt-ars ol age in workshops, mines and faetones. XII. To prohibit the birittg out of convict labor. XIII. That a graduated income taz be levied. And we demand at the hands of all governments: XIV. The establishment of a national monetary system, in which a circulating medium in necessary quantity shall issue direct to the people, without the intervention of banks ; that all the national issue shall be tull legal tender in payment of all debts, public and private; and that the government shall not guarantee or recognize private banks, or créate aoy banking corporalionp. XV. That interest-bearing bonds, bilis of credit, or notes shall never be ssued by the government, but that, when need arises, the emergency shall be met by issue of legal tender, non-interest-bearing money. XVI. That the importation of foreign labor under contract be prohibited. XVII. That, in conneotion with the postotiice, the government shall organize Snancial exchanges, safe deposils and facilitiej lor deposit of the savings of the people in small siuns. XVIII. That the government shall obtain possession, by purebase, under the rightof eminent domain, ol' all telegraphs, íelephones nd railroads, and thai hereafier 110 charter or fócense be issued to any corporatiun for nonstniction or operstioo ot any means ui transporting intelligence, passengers or f reight. Acd, while making the loreg imj; dpmauds upuD the statenlid national governinent, we will endeavr to asocite our wn labcrs" XIX. To estabüsh co operative insti ution8 such as will tend to supersede the wi.ge sy.stera by the intruduution of a oojperative system. XX. To secure for both sexes tqual pay for equal work. XXL To shoiten the hours of l.ibor by a general ref'usal to work lor more than jight bouxg, XXII. To persuade employers to agree to arbítrate all differeuces whiclt may arise between them and their employers, ia order that the bonds of syinparhy betweeu them may bestiengthened and rht strikes may be rendered unnejessary.