The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-10-30


of national wealth, and being the governing
power in the distribution Of the products Of cap
ital and labor, is oppressive to me producing
classee
Resolved. That the revenue laws Of the United
States should be altered so that, instead of s1b.
ordinatng labor to capital, they may afford just
protection to labor and the industrial interests
Of the whole country.
Resolved, That the legal -tender money should
be made a legal tender in the payment OF all
debts, public and private, and convertible at
the optioniof the holder INTO Government bonds,
bearing interest at the rate of three per cent
per annum, with privilege to the holder to re-
convert the bonds into money or the money into
bonds, at pleasure.
Resolved, That the claim Of the bondholders,
that the bonds which we're bought With green.
backs, and the principal Of which is by law pay
able in currency, should nevertheless he paid in
gold, lie unjust and extortionste.
Resolved, That the exemption from tax Of
bonds and securities, is a violation Of the Just
principle of revenue laws.
Resolved, That land monopoles are at vari-
ance with the doctrine that all freemen when
they form a social compact are equal in rights,
and If persisted in, must ultimately result in tie
subversion Of free institutions, as also the social
and political well-bsing of the laboring masses
To prevent this calamity, the public lands
adapted to agriculture should be given, in rea-
sonable quantities, to none bnt American ciIi-
zens. and such as have declared their intention
to become citizens. Individual owners of ex-
tensive tracts Of land should be encouI aged to
dispose of the same in small parcels, ut reason
able prices to actual settlers, that may thus be-
come identified with the SOIL as responsible, In
telIigent citizens.
Resolved, That it is a duty which should be
exercised with pleasure, to guard with vigilant
care the delicate and sacred rights of the daugh-
tiers of toll who engaged in various industri a
pursuits and solicit their hearty cooperation ia
our efforts TO vindicate the rights of the labor
ing classes, while We pledge them, in return,
our individual and undiy led support.
Resolved, That religion, morality and know
ledge, being necessary to success, schools and
other means of education should be encouraged,
such az the formation of labor unions, mechan-
les institutes, lyceums, readiDg-roops, and
whatever additional agencies may hereafter be
deemed conducive to the cause of morality and
Intelligence.
Resolved, That as labor is the foundation and
cause Of national prosperity, it is both the duty
and interest of government to foster and pro-
tect it. Its imp. rtAnce, therefore, demands the
creation of an Executive Department of the
government at Washington, to be denominateC
the Department of Labor, which shall aid in
protecting it above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection of life, liberty
and property, are the three cardinal principles
Of government, and the two first more sacred
than the latter therefore, money necessary 70
prosecuting wars should, as it is required b,
assessed and collected from the wealth of thu
country, and not be entailed as a burden Of
posterity.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress
earnestly recommends the adoption of sucl
measures among all classes of Workmen, in 81
sections Of the country, as vii secure the adOp
ton of the Eight Hour SYSTEM, and calls upo
the respective state legislatures to follow th
example of the National Congress, in recognize
, ing eight hours az legal days work.
Resolved, That voluntary associations 0
workingmen and women are entitled, at tn
hands Of legislation, State and National, to tn
same chartered rights and privileges grantee
to associated capital, and we demand thei
practical recognition and enforcement
Resolved, That political equality being on
of the cardinal principles of this organization
we therefore urge full restoration of civil right
to every American citizen, except such as hav
been convicted Of felony.
Resolved, That we demand the abolishmeu
OF the system Of contract labor in our prison
} and penitentiaries, and that the labor perfOrme
BY convicts shall be that which will least CO..
fiict with honest industry outside of the prison
and that the wares manufactured by the con
victs shall not be put upon the market at les
than current rates
Resolved, That the Labor Congress wOul
most respectfully recommend to the wOrkingme
Of the country that, in case they are pressed 70
; want of employment, they proceed to the publ
} lands and become actual settlers, wing tina
if the industry of the country car G couple
with its natural advantages, it will result BOT
in individual relief and national advantage
Resolved, That We are unalterably oppose
to the importation of servile race for the sol
and only purpose of pauperising the labor Q
the American workingmen.
RESOLVED, That We demand the rigid enforce
ment OF the law Of Congress Of 1861, prohibit
ing coolie importation.
Resolved, That when a workman is found ca
pable and available for any Office, the prefer
ence should be Invariably given to such person
Resolved. That we would urgently call tn
attention Of the industrial classes to the subec
Of tenant houses and improved dwellings, be-
lieving il to be essential to the welfare of tn
whole community that a reform should be eff
fected in this respect, the experience of th
past has proven that vice, pauperism and Grim
are the invsriable attendants of the overcrOWd
ed, illy-ventilated dwellings Of the poor an
We urge upon the capitalists of the country thei
attention to she blessings to be derived from i
vestiDg their means in erecting such dwelling