The workingman's advocate., 1869-09-04

the c0mmAtt6e Uu Q%Ope8e'~#s 'e@N ~r-~ -
lowing report Of thS1k cSunmitts.
To tie Presidesi g. HssrbeScfh Naf'on-
al Labor Ccngp@:
Your committee on Cooperation, nsving
attended to tksir dutv, beg leave to report
The following preamble and resolutions
WHEREAs, We are Of opinion that OF all the
nlsns devised for the amelioration Of the condi
rion Of the working classes. none has proved so
effeclual to solve the problem OF human nappl-
ness TO 20 grsse an extent as THAT ot Co
operation:
WHHRaas, We ase- happy ~ leasA that great
progress has been msde in the co-operatlve
Iioxar,enka aEssse fAe pass year, as has been de-
uionstrated not only BY the success o. tnose
which were in existence previous to the last
session, bat slse by the fact that several others
have been established In different branches since
the adjournment of this body in New York,
among which may be mentioned that o. the
Tailors Co operative Union of the City OF New
York, and the Journeymen Printers Co-oPera-
tive Estahlishment Of Philadelphia therefore
be ie
Resolved, That We recommend to the WORK
ingmen and women Of the country the impera-
tive necessity of Immediately entering Into Co
operation in the di ifferent branches Of industry,
and thereby secure to themselves the legitimate
fruits Of their labor
Resolved, That We recommend the appoint
ment Of a Committee on Cooperation whose
dAty it shah be to examine the different systems
now prasieed, and report the most feasible plan
ai the next sesaion Of the Labor Congress.
Resolved, That we enioin it as duty upon
every crganiza atiou-Stale aud NatiOnal-hav-
ing connection With the National Labor Union,
to assist and encourage the organization Of CO.
operaai0n Com panies in every branch OF indus
try, and to make use Of every opportunity to
educate the Workingmen to the Importance of
this subject.
Much diversity Of opinion existed as to
the propriesy Of donating all the funds raised
30 Mrs. Sylvis, rather than appropriating q
part thereof to the erection of q monument.
The motion TO strike out the word monu
meat" was Withdrawn, and the report was
adopted
Mr.. Puett, Of Indiana, chairman of a
special committee, read the following:
Resolved, That the thanks Of the National
Labor Congress are due to Mr.. Peter Cooper
Cor his well timed defence of our American
monetary system that Committee of FIVE
be appointed by the president of this Con-
gre-s To present to Mr.. Peter Cooper this
feeble expression OF the high appreciation en-
tertaiDed BY the National Labor Congress Of
the service he has rendered, and Of the in
terest he has manifested in the cause of the
people i'm which the National Labor Union
Il engagec. Agreed to.
Mr.. =. r. Walsh, Of New York, from the
Committee on Prison Labor, presented q
report setting forth that,
Whereas, 1t 10 q we'll known fact that the
present contract system of our prison and
penitentiaries tend to degrade the working
man to a level with the convict, and TO re-
duce the price Of labor of the honest work
iDgman, and is also a great burden by way
Of taxes on the people Of these States and,
Whereas, The Legislatures Of several
States have been appealed to in vain TO
abate the evil, thsrefore, be il
Resolved BY this National Labor Union
in convention assembled, That we denounce
the whole system as at war with the beat in
terests of the workingmen of this nation ana
utterly without apology in the light aud ex
perience Of the present age.
Resolved, That we support NO man for
any Office who will not pledge himself to
work for and TO abolish the present contract
system af our prison and penitentiaries.
Resolved, That we demand the adoption
Ly the several States Of laws forbiddlng the
employing Of convicts at any trade more
than eight hours day. aAf ,a
Resolved, That we demand Of the several
States that the labor of the eonvicts IN their
respectiue prisons and peuitentiaries should
be under the direction and control Of it's
own agents, and not to be put upon the
market aF reduced prices, thereby bringing
it in direct and ruinous competition with
hone-t toll.
Mr.. Cameron. Of Illinois, offered the fol-
lowing In addition to the platform presented
Yesterday, which was adopted:
Resolved, That We are unalterably opposed
to the importation of servie race for the sole
aud only purpose Uf pauperisiEfg the labor Of
the American wUrkingmen.
Resolved, That We demand the abolishment
OF the system of contract labor in our prisons
and penitentiaries, and that the labor performed
by couvicts shall be that which will least coz
hict with honest industry out side of tho prisons
aud that thW wares manufactured by the on
viets shall not be put upon the market at less
than current rates
Resolved, That the Labor Congress would
most respectfully recommend to the workingmen
Of the country that, in case they are pressed for
want OF employment they proceed to the public
lands and become actual settlers, believing that
if the industry Of the country can be coupled
with It's natural advantages, st will result both
in individual relief and national advantage.
Resolved, That We demand the rigid enforce
ment Of tbe law of Congress of 1861, prohibit
ing coelie importation. . -
Resolved That when a workman is found ca
pa0le and avaiAable for any Office, the prefer
ence shOuld be- invariably given to such person
Received. That We would urgently call the
atlention ofthe industrial classes to the subject
Of tenant houses and Improved dwellings,, be-
heving Is 70 be essential to the welfare Of the
whole community that a reform should be ef-
fected in this respect, as the experience. Of the
past has proven that vice, pauperism and crime
are the invariable attendants Of the overcroWd-
ed, hly-ventilated dwellings Of theboor and
We urge upon the capitalists Of the country their
attention 10 the blessings to be derived from in-
vesting sheir means in erecting such Dwellings,
Ths1Oregoing was adopted.
IT. Cavis presented. :he following reso-
luflsn which was adopted,
Resolved, That it shall b. the duty OF the
Sommittee on Labor Department, with the
corporation Of the president, to.cause to be
prepared n series of questions designed to
gather statistics during the taking of tie
census Of 1870, stating the cost OF produc-
ton in sll dt apartments Of ltrdusIIy, tie cosI
Of transportation thereon to market, clasSi-
hCatiOn Of the modes OF cOnve, al c., the I
cost when put upon TIE market, and the
prices paid by the CONSUMERS Or at the'
point Of export, and press their adoption
upon the congress Of the United States
through the census committee.
Mr.. Kuhn, Of New York, offered and read
the following:
Resolved, That the President 10 corjunc-
tion with the Executive Committee, be re-
quired to draft an exact and specified plan,
according 10 which all trades unions OF
State have TO act unGedly, for the purpose
Of Of avsiling themselves of all proper means
tor the enforcement Of an eight-hour law Of
their State. which shall be binding on any
craft, and In which law the punishment for
its violation shall be stipulated, the follow |
ing features of the plan being proposed:
|. All trades unions to endeavOr to abol- /.
Ish piece work, and tO introduce DAVIS