The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-08-27
THE LATE LABOR CONGRESS-.

The late convention of the so-called
Laborers, at Philadelphia, is the result
of dissatisfied spirit in our politics.
1t was. composed, principally, of men
who have failed to run parties to suit
them. At least, that is the stuff of
which such movements are usually
made. We will be glad to learn that
we are mistaken in our judgment of this
movement. ALI efforts to ameliorate
the condition of laboring men have our
earnest sympathy and hearty co-opera-
ton, and if this convention, or Con-
gress, as it was called, accomplished
anything for the good of the laboring
classes, we shall rejoice with them. A
perusal of the proceedings does not
make us overly hopeful in this direc-
ton. If the demogogues and schemers
are the ones to be benefited by such eff
forts the fewer of them we have the bet
ter for the country. We confess there
was good deal about the proceedings
of this convention to arouse the suspic-
ion of the public that there is something
more in it than the mere meeting to
consult over the welfare of the laboring
classes. We append the following syn
opsis of the platform. OF course there
are some good things in it, mixed with
great deal of clap-trap which is famil-
lar to our ears:
"The preamble declares all are free
men, equal in political rights and enti-
tied to the largest liberty consistent
with good government. No persons
or classes are entitled to exclusive priv
ileges and immunities; that the rights
of labor are now imperiled, and that it
is its duty to organize for protection
against the spectators and brokers who
are preying on the fruits thereof The
following are the main points of the res
olutions. They declare laborers in all
the departments are suffering from the
monetary system developed during the
war, whose effect is to put the action
into the hands of bondholders and bank
ers, whose maintenance in power will
subvert the Republic. The National
Banking system is denounced. Incor-
porated banks are opposed, and no cir
culating medium besides legal tenders
should be allowed. That the present
rate of interest being disproportionate
4 to the increase of wealth, it should be
lowered to a reasonable proportion.
That the revenue laws should no longer
be formed so as to subordinate labor to
capital, but protect the industrial inter-
ests of the country. That the legal ten
der money should be made securable in
payment of all debts, and convertible at
the option of the holder, into 3 per cent.
bonds, or the reverse, at pleasure. That
the claim of bondholders to pay in gold
what was bought in greenbacks is un-
just. That the exemption of bonds, Sc
aurities, &C., from taxation is unjust.
That the public lands should be divid-
ed only among actual settlers. That
there ought to be hearty cooperation
with the workingmen and their rights
must be protected. That all means OF
education, &C., must be sustained. That
there ought to be department of labor
in the executive branch of the Govern.
ment. That protection to life, liberty
and property are cardinal duties of the
Government, but the twa first are more
sacred than the last. Therefore money
necessary for prosecuting wars should
be assessed and collected from the
wealth of the country, and not be en-
tailed as burden in posterity. The
eight hour system should be adopted by
the State Legislatures. That voluntary
associations of working people are en-
titled to the same chartered rights and
privileges granted to associated capital
That political equality being one of the
cardinal principles of this Organization
we therefore urge free restoration OF
civil rights to every American citizen
except such as have been convicted OF
felony. That cooperation under just
\ laws is as sure and lasting remedy fol-
4 the present abuses of the industrial sys-
/ tenn" -e-A FL