The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-27

The following resolutions adopted at the
recent New Eaglaod Labor CanventiOn, have
been in adssrtently Land over ttlI the pre-
e 800 4@.. ----~s---
WhisEzt labor creates al vshes eqai.ably
sendi5ie, I'D Hshsa1H oyeFrais ID detevugpe
tae minor dlaims Of property. renB, mohey en-
change and taxation and whereas the vaseai-
age Of the producing 10 the Specializing classes.
the Industrial Judaism authorised and en-
forced by our laws and customs, Is fraudulent
usurpation, subsersve of free Institutions, and
hostile 70 .he best interests Of the whole peo-
pie; therefore
Resolved. That The maximum price which
may be equitably put upon ~any commodity, is
the cost OF labor, the sacrifice OF comfort re
quired to produce il AM since land mines, air
water, all objects unnodifed by human skill
must be held sacred as natural wealth, a tree
gift OF The benehcent Providence to all His
children, justice tlso limits the right to proper
4 ty, and value 10 exchange, to the amount OF la
Dor inv, 8 ed.
Resolved, That in order to reduce the cost Of
living, and enable producers and consumers 20
dispense with the hordes OF middle men and
spectators who now plunder them both, free
public markets should he provided in all cen
tres Of commerce aud railroad, express water
and Geographic communications must cease to
enrich corporate classes. at the expense Of the
people, aud like the pos --oEfce, become a part
OF the public service a. cost
Resolved, That asking no ieveIIIng division Of
property, but simply opportunity aud recip-oci.
ty, We would prevent the intervention Of arbi-
trary violence 20 settle the grave issues involved
10 labor reform, bv securing the broadest an
peal to reason and good sense, In the inmedi.
ate establishment of local aud national govern
ment upon suffrage, impartial 10 all classes ir-
respective Of race, sex. past condition: and
since war forces wotkiagmen to fght its bat
ties, and pay It's bills, and claims that not only
all power, but all property belongs 70 the
strongest, il is alike the interest and duty. Of
both rich and poor TO dscnuntenance further
reference of their qua-rels to the blind and bru.
I tai 4rbitrament Of the sword
! Resolved, That emphaticalv endorsing the de-
maud Of the .,Ational Labor Union for cheap,
abundant and reliable currency, based upon and
accountable 20 labor. We will wage uncompro
missing hostility to any and all schemes TO re-
1 turn to that device of fraud aud tyrsnny, that
transcendant swindle upon the producing class
\ es, specie payments; aud in behalf OF honest
industry in all its manifold relations Of agricul.
ture, manufactures and commerce. we insist
that the notes Of the national banks give place
10 treasury certificates of service, and that the
war debt, by assessment upon the whole prop
erty Of the nation By greenbacks, or otherwiss,
consistent with honor and the best interests of
all shall be speedily paid.
Resolved, That the late speech Of General
Butler, in sdvocacY OF the financial tendenci
Ofthe labor movement, placing him Ia the front
rank OF statesman and economists, evinciBg at
once, profound political sagacity and heroi, de
votion TO right, merits aud will receive the
unanimous support 0f all intelligent friends of
labor throughout the Union.
Resolved, That accepting the proposed
scheme, not as fnality, but as means 70 an
end, We regard the OF ones credit, as of bis
conscience or his vote, a natural Inaliensble
right; and hence believe 10 free money-gov-
ernment being allowed TO the extent Of is taxes
and 0tner legitimate business, 10 issue treasury
certificates OF service, which like postage ami
revenue stamps will never depfeciate because
always good tor the purpose proposed, and will
answer all she uses OF anational currency: while
the right of States, commnnitiss, aud indiyidu
ais 70 issue money on their own responsibility
and to any extent they deem best, must never
be surrendered.
Resolved, That since the human conscience
In all ages, nations and religions have pr Jtestet
against usury and since interest on money n
possible ouly where the privileged party as bro
ker, landlord, slave over, pre-emptor or usarp-
CT can speculate on the necessities OF the sc nv
; ing party; aud since present high rates Of in
D teress cause hard times. Grippe legitimate bus
} ines, sweep property into the hlnJs "a iew
D and impoverish the people generally, We de
mand that the only currency recognized by gov
ernment shall be used taxes or Osh~r -pubTI
service. and like the 'greenoaek," be absuluse
!, y free Tor the popular use.
Resolved, That siuce long hours 20 viii
short pay, ignorance, and q low moral eoad
tion; and since mere desire to escape work
or thirst for dlssolute leisure but grave conside
= rAtions OF health. morals, culture and comp,
sence inspire the protest OF the operative elias.
o es, we regard the effort TO reduce the hcurs q
D service as struggle Tor liberty, revolt again,
v " sentence OF degradation which titled class.
!, laa all ages, have sfixed on the masses of man
ID kind and demand that stght hours be ever
: where regarded as legal days work ia Il
public service and where officials refuse
t0Dey the public sease Of right, thus expresse,
n. or continue 70 side with the money oligarrl
which keeps labor down, it 10 both tho privile,
and duty of work. -guien % walk them vut
- ones as the nex< etecsion.
Resolved That the low wages long heu