The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-04-08

of mOnetaFy laws, which were enacted during
the late war, as measures, it was assumed 'snec
essary to the life of the nation" whichis now
sought to be perpetuated in the interest Of
bondholders aud bankers a. means to subvert
the government Of our fathers and establish on
its ruins an empire 10 which all political power
shah be centralized to restrain and Cypress the
rights of labor, and subordinate its votaries to
the mercIless demands Of aggregated capital
Resolved, That the rate of interest on money
is the governing power in the distribution Of
the products of industry and enterprise between
capital and labor, aud that the present rates are
in excess and dispropOrtionate to the increase
Of the national wealth, and oppressive to the
producing classes.
Resolved. That the national banking system
being inimical to the spirit Of liberty and sub
versive Of the principles ofjustice, without war.
rant in the constitution OF the United States,
and wrongfully increasing the burdens Of the
wealth producing classes mil lions Of dollars an
nually, justice demands its Repeal
Resolved, That to provide a true national
currency adapted TO the genius of our institu-
tons and the wants Of the. business of the coun-
trv, the circulating notes Of the national banks,
and the present greenbacks, which are not full
leg al tender, should be withdrawn from circula
ton aud their place supplied with paper cur
rency based on the wealth Of the nation made
legal tender in the payment of all debts, pub
lie and private declared the lawful money of
the United States and convertible at the plea.
sure Of the holder into governments bonds bear
ing 3 per cent. interest per annum, subiec to
future legislation by congress. The bonds like
wise convertible into lawful money, at the op--
ton Of the holder.
Resolved, That the claim of the bondholders
for payment in gold Of that class of indebted
ness known as $40 bonds, the principal OF
which is legally and equtably payable in la wful
noney-is dishonest and extortiohate, and
hence we enter our solemn protest against any
departure from the original contract, by fluid
ing the debt in long bonds, or in any way iu-
ereasing the gold bearing and untaxed obliga-
lions Of the government.
Resolved, That justice demands that the bur
dens Of the government should be so adjusted
as to bear equally on all classes and interests
and that the exemption from taxation Of gov
eminent bonds, bearing extortionate rates Of
interest, is a violation OF all Just principles Of
revenue laws.
Resolved, That congress should modify the
tariff so to admit free the necessaries Of life
and such articles Of common use as We can mel
Their pro uce nor grow; also to lay duties for
revenue mainly upon articles Of luxury and up
on such articles of manufacture as-we having
the raw material ia abundance-will develoE
the resources of the country, increase the mum
Der of factories give employment to more Ia
borers, maintain good compensation, cause the
immigration of skilled labor. the lessening o.
prices to consumers, the creating of a perma
nent home market for agricultural products
destroy the necessity for the odiOus and expen
sive system of internal taxation, and will soor
DahI IN full nata with he man
ufacturers Of Europe in the markets of the
world.
Resolved, That the National Labor Congress:
earnestly recommend tie adoption Of such
measures among all classes Of workmen, in al
sections Of the country, as will secure the adop
ton Of the eight hour system, and call upon the
respective state legislatures to follow the eX-
ample Of the National Congress in recognizing
eight hours as a legal days work.
Resolved, That the presence in our country
Of Chinese laborers in large numbers is an evi
entaiing want and Its consequent train Of mis-
cry and crime on all other classes Of the
American people, and should be prevented by
legislation.
Resolved, As labor is the foundation anC
cause OF national prosperity, il is both the duty
and interest Of the government TO foster AND
protect it. Its importance, therefore, demand:
tue cTeRtlOn OF an Executive Department. OF TIE
government at Washington, TO be denominated
the Department Of Lab r, which shall aid II
protecting it above all other interests.
Resolved, That the protection Of life, liberty
aud property are the three cardna principles
of government, aud the first two more sacred
than the latter; therefore, money necessary fol
prosecuting wars should, as it is required, be
assessed and collected from the wealth Of the
country, and not be entailed as burden OIL
posterity.
Resolved, That the public lands Of the
United States belong to the people, and 4hould
not be sold to individuals nor granted ID cor
poratons, but should be held as a sacred trust
for the benefit Of the people, and should be
granted free Of cost to landless settlers only, in
amounts not exceeding loo acres Of land.
Resolved, That the treaty-making power Of
the government has no authority in the cOnsti-
tuition to dispose of" the public lands without
the joint sapction Of the Senate and House OF
Representatives