The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-09-01
WORKINGMEN'S PLATFORM.
Resolutions Adopted by the Congress
il Of Wsrkingmen, at Baltimore,
August 81.

IL Of Werk1ngmen, al BaitiMore'
August 81.
The workingmen's Convention or congress
which assem- BLEED at Baltimore, last week, adj
journed on Friday, 9th, after fys days
session, to meet at Chicago next year. Be
fore adjournment, the following resolutions
were adopted:
WHEREAS, The growing and alarming encroach-
ments of ca pital upon the rights of the INDUSTRIAL
CLASSES of tho United States has rendered IL mPer-
alive that they should calmly and deliberately oe-
wise the most effective and avaiiaoie means oy
which the same may DO averted, your committee
would recommend the adoption OF the foiio"ing
resolutions:
Resolred, That the first and grand desideratum
OF the hour, IN order to deliver the labor oil the
country from this thraldom, is the adoption OF
law whereby eight hours shall constitute legal
dry's work in every state of the American Union,
and that they determined never TO relax theH
efforts until this glorious result IL contaminated
Resolved, That it 10 the imperative duty oil ev-
/ cry workingman in the United States TO connect
himself with his labor rganizstlOn, II any exists,
and where none exists to Immediately commence
the lorna OF the same; that 1t Is the equa ou-
| " OF every Union to be represented In Trades
| or Wo,kngmen's Assembly, and also to aid in the
formation of national or International organize
/ ton where the same does not exiat.
ResoEred, That in cooperation we recognize a
sure and lasting remedy for the abuses OF the pres
ent md ustrial system, and hail with delight the
organization of cooperative stores and workshops
in this country, and would urge their formation IN
every section of this country, and In every branch
| of business.
Resoired. That the system of prison labor which
| 10 pxHctced throug hout this country Is not only
injurious to the producing classes, but an incen-
tive for employers to contract with the gov
| eminent for cheap labor, and the honorable me-
-. n
| of labor and support their family, are obliged to
| seek a living elsewhere, much to their mconVeD-
| fence and would recommend that the public
be requested not to patroniZe parties who contract
for prison labor except they paw the rate of wages
| demanded by mechanics outside.
| Reso!ued, That we heartily concur IN the action
| of the committee on national organ, and would
| recommend the Workingmen's Advocate, of Chica
go; Daily and Weekly Voice, OF Boston; Daily
Union, of Detroit; Herald, OF Troy, n Y. and In
dnstriGl AdrOcdte, of ST. Louis, and would recon-
| mend that ~orkingmen in these localities be re-
quested to paronZe these papers IN preference to
| all others.
Resoired, That we pledge our individual and
| undivided support to the sewing women and
daughters OF toll in this land, and would solicit
their hearty cooperation, knowing, as we do, that
| no class of industry is so much in need of having
their condition amellorated as the factory opera
| tives, sewing women, &c, OF this country.
Resoired, As the sense OF this congress, that the
speedy restoration of the agricultural interests of
the southern states is of vital Importance to the
| laboring men OF the north, and that the aggregs-
ton and capitalization OF the surplus earnings of
labor for the two fold purpose of promoting an in
creased production of cotton, and of aiding and
elevating the laobrng classes, as proposed by the
American Industrial Agency Is very desra bic, and
invite the attention OF the laboring men to the
subject.
ReSoired That would urgently call the at
tenton of the industrial classes to the snbject of
| tenement houses and improved dwellings, bellev-
h1n al To he Is n
| community that a reform should be effected In
| this respect, as the expenerce OF the past has
proven that vice, pauperism, nd CRIME are the IN
| variable attendants OF the overcrowded and ally
| ventilated dwellings OF the poor, and urge upon
the capitalists of the country the blessings to be
derived from investing their means in erecting
! such dwellings.
| Resolusd, That we this day join hands with la
Dor the interests OF agriculture, and hereby de-
claro it primary, in our different organizations,
and that all that now or hereafter organized.
| shall adopt the same in the following words =
"That the whole public agricultural domain shall
be disposed OF TO actual settlers only,' and that
the proper officers OF this convention are instruct
| ed to see that the foregoing resolutions shall be
| carried into effect.
Resolced, That the public domain belongs to
the people OF the whole states. purchased by their
blood and treasure and IS to them inheritance,
iudorsng fully, we do,the opinion OF our states
men this subject, that minimum price be
! fixed for the whole agricultural domain to be dis
|
gress, the several states, where lands may exist,
| as belonging to the nation states, that they
shall not be considered but shall be considered
| as belonging to the people, and In cases where
the legislature wish to encourage any public works
| with such railroad bridges, roads, agricultural
colleges, &C.. tor the several states, or any other
| Improvements that may be thought proper, from
time to time then in all cases Of this kind it shall
be considered injurious and destructive to the best
interests OF the people to make special grants OF
| these lands, but only the proceeds thereof.
ReSoired, That this congress deprscates what is
| familiarity known as "strik es' among workingmen,
| and would Recommend that every other honorable
means be exhausted before any such course be re-
sorted TO.
| ReSOiued, That the formation OF Mechanics In
| stitute,s Lyceums, and Reading Rooms, and the
erection of buildings for that purpose, is recon-
| mended TO the workingmen in all cities and
| towns as a means of advancing their intellectual
| culture and social improvement.
ReSOlced, That this labor congress would most
| respectfully recomme end to the working men of
| the coontry that in case they pressed by want
OF they proceed to the bic lands and
become actual settlers, believing that il the indus
try of the country be coupled with its natural
advantages, it will rebound both in individual re-
| lief and national advantage.