Since there is scarcely any fact better known than that civilization has for centuries progressed in proportion to the production and utilization ot the metals, precious and base, and most of the comforts enjoyed by the great majority of mankind are due to this progress, the men engaged in the hazardous and unhealthy occupation of mining should receive a fair compensation for their labor, and such protection from the law as will remove needless risk to life and health; we therefore deem it necessary to organize the Western Federation of Miners of America for the purpose of securing by education and organization, and wise legislation, a just compensation for our labor and the right to use our earnings free from dictation by any person whatsoever. We therefore declare our objects to be:

First—To secure an earning fully compatible with the dangers of our employment.

Second—To establish as speedily as possible, and forever, our right to receive pay for labor performed, in lawful money, and to rid ourselves of the iniquitous system of spending our earnings where and how our employers or their officers may designate.

Third—To procure the introduction and use of any and all suitable efficient appliances for the preservation of life, health and limbs of all employes, and thereby preserve to society the lives of a large number of wealth producers annually.

Fourth—To labor for the enactment of suitable mining laws, with a sufficient number of inspectors, who shall be practical miners, for the proper enforcement of such laws.

Fifth—To provide for the education of our children by lawfully prohibiting their employment until they shall have obtained a satisfactory education, and in every case until they shall have reached sixteen years of age.

Sixth—To prevent by law any mine owner or mining company from employing any Pinkerton detectives, or other armed forces, from taking possession of any mine, except the lawfully elected or appointed forces of the state, who shall be bona fide citizens of the county and state.

Seventh—To use all honorable means to maintain friendly relations between ourselves and our employers, and endeavor by arbitration and conciliation to settle such differences as may arise between us, and thus make strikes unnecessary.

Eighth—To use all lawful and honorable means to abolish the system of contract convict labor in states where it now exists, and to demand the enforcement of the foreign contract labor law and the protection of our American miners and mechanics against imported pauper labor.

Ninth—To demand the repeal of all conspiracy laws that in any way abridge the right of labor organizations.

Tenth —To procure employment for our members in preference to non-union men.