The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-11-04
FROM NEW YORK.
ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING OF THE WORKING.
MEN.

York Standard of the 25th ult.
The great mass meeting Of the working
mems political party last evening in Cooper
Institute was as much of a success as The
most sanguine expectations of its project
ors could desire, notwithstanding the many
obstacles thrown the way by the enemies
Of the movement, who attempted to frus-
trate il by covering the bill Of announce
ment on the dead walls of the city. Ats
O'Clock a very respectable assemblaCe had
collected. Mr.. John I. Elliott was chair
man Of the meeting He was received
with cheers, and remarked, that the late
demonstration in favor of the Eight Hour
law was the means Of projecting the Work
lngmens Political party. Now is the time
Tor the workingmen to demand a hearing
before the people, and if they were true TO
themselves they could accomplish much
even in the infancy Of their party. Work
ngmen should give up beseeching politi-
clans for their rights They have the power,
II properly directed, 10 dictate, and need
not supplicate We do not seek the lucra-
tive position; what we want is legislative
representation; and this little band pro-
poses to inaugurate the battle, and offer
Tor adoption platform of principle The
following is their:
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES:
First As all legitimate property is the
product of industry it rightly belongs to
the producer.
Second That eight homs Of labor should
be the extent of legal days work. being
as much as the health, happiness and pro-
gressive improvement OF society will per-
nit
Third that as the earth is the common
parent yof mankind, from whose bosom
each individual inherits the inalieuable
right 70 live and draw subsistence, there
tore any and every interruption Of the en-
joyment of this right by a MONOPOLY of
traffic in the soil, is a violation ofthe sacred
principle of Justice, and must ever be at
tended in the future as in tie past, with
diretul consequences. Land then being 8
common element mot property, should he
supervised by society for the benefit Of
the people upon the basis of equality
Fourth To secure the greatest advan-
tages OF economy from the improvements
of the age and guard against the cupiditv
of contractors and organized monopulists,
the system of contracting public work
should be abolished. and all public improve
ments, such as railroads, gas works, canals,
mining, post offices. expresses telegraph,
etc, should be public property, conducted
by Government employers al cost for the
benefit Of society
Fifth That as ignorance is fruitful
source OF crime, therefore every facility
for the acquisition of useful knowledge
should be equally guaranteed To all, and
schools, colleges and scientific institutions
should be supported by the Government,
free. That the people NAV he enabled 10
convene frequently, 10 consider subjects of
public welfare and revise the acts and prop
Ositions Of their public servants. the school
house should be open at least two evenings
in each week for the use Of the people
Sixth To properly develop the resources
of the country and afford Just protection to
the useful classes against the ayarice of
capitalists and the arrangements Of trade.
an Industrial Bureau should be established
by Government upon equitable principles
OF time and compensation, thereby prevent
ing the necessity of strikes by furnishing
employment to those who might otherwise
suffer the pangs of hunger OF be tempted
10 crime.
Seventh: For the protection Of the peo-
pie Of this city against eXhorhitant rents.
the unimprOved property H. longing 70 the
city should have economical residences
erected thereon by the public authorities,
and rented tn the people al cost, as they
are now supplied with croton wai,r
Eighth In order to prevent the further
practice Of fraud by our municipal officials.
We must have a new charter containing
clauses 70 the effect that all future tax levies
and other important measures must be sub
mitted 10 the people for approval or reiec-
ton, and, further that the head of each de
partment must make and publish monthly
returns of the business done and ali the
f,fr
Ninth To protect the poor against the
mpOstions practiced by souiless spccula-
tors the authorities should purchase in
proper season. 2 sufficient quantity NJ coal
al cost of mining and transp' riation.
Tenth: As the Declaration of Am ri an
Independence atfirms THAI al just gov
ernments derive their powers from the
consent of the governed therefore the
right Of suffrage should he : cured to every
citizen Of mature age, regardless of race,
sex or condition.
Eleventh: To remedy one of the most
corrupting customs Of the present system.
we demand that all fee offices shall be abol-
ished, and all lucrative salaries reduced 10
comport with the wages paid to mechanics
and other useful callings, ard we further
demand, that whatever labor society re-
quires person to preform, shall be remu-
heIHOeu upon Tue pIlnClple Oh eQuaI COM
pensation.
Twelfth The currency of nation should
be issued by Government only, be a legal
tender and bear no interest
Thirteenth The sad experience of all
people proves the fact that, whatever irres-
Ponsible power is conferred, it is liable to
abuse, whether it be exercised by monarch,
lord or delegate; therefore, in political in
situations, tie people should retain the
sovereign power to ratify or reject the acts
of their public servants.
Fourteenth That the propositions ofthe
Labor question are extreme, OF necessity
that all individuals desiring reform must,
on the merit Of the principles they strive
for place themselves on this platform,
while those not f1voring reform will nat
uTally rally on the other side
The several planks on the platform were
received with thunders of applause.
MR. HoDGsKIN's SPEECH
am asked by the Executive Committee
OF the WoTklngmens party to give Won n V
views on the present pnliiical ~ifuation and