The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-05-10

We hold that all political power il inhe-
rent in the people, that free government is
founded on their authority, and established for
their benefit !" that all citizens are equal in
political rights, entitled to the largest relig-
ious and political liberty compatible with the
good order of society, as also the and en-
joyment ofthe fruits of their labor and talents
and no man set Of men entitled to the
exclusive, separate emoluments, privileges or
immunities from the Government, but in con
sideration Of public services and any laws
destructive of these fundamental principles
are without moral binding force and should he
| repealed and we believe that the evils re
sulting from unjust legislation now affecting
the industrial classes can I've removed by the
adoption of the principles contained in the
following declarations Therefore resolved
l. That it is the duty Of the government
to establish a Just standard Of distribution to
capital and labor, by providing purely ma
tional circulating medium, based on the faith
and resources of the nation, issued directly to
the people without the Intervention Of any
system of banking corporations, which money
shall be legal tender IN the payment of all
| debts public and private and interchangea-
bic at the option of the holder for government
bonds, bearing rate Of interest not to exceed
three and sixty five hundreths per cent sub
ject to future .gislation by Congress
2 That tn national debt should be paid
in good faith according to the original contract
at the earliest option of the government, with
out mortgaging the property Of the people,
| and the future earnings of labor to enrich
/ few capitalists at home and abroad
g. That justice demands that the burdens
Of government should be so adjusted as to bear
equally on all classes and interests, and the
exemption from taxation of government bonds
bearing eXtortIonate rates of interest is a viO-
lation of ali Just principles Of revenue laws.
a. That the enlightened spirit of the age
demands the abolition Of the system Of con
tract labor IN our prisons and other reforma-
tory institutions
j. That the public landS Of the United
States belong to the people, and should not
be sold t. individuals nor granted 10 CORPORA
tlons but should be held as a sacred trust for
the benefit of the people, and should be grant
ed free Of cost to landess settlers only in
amounts not exceeding 100 acres each
8. That Congress should modify tariff 81
as 10 admit free such articles Of common use
As We can neither produce or grow, and lay
| duties for revenue manly upon articles Of lux
ury and upon such articles of manufacture a
will we having the raw material in abund
ance- assist in further developing the resour.
ces Of the country.
!. That the presence in our country OF
Chinese laborers, imported by capitalists il
large numbers for servile use, is an evil entail
Ing want and ITS attendant tram Of misery
and crime on all cslasse of the American PEG
pie and should be prohibited by legislation
s. That We ask for the enactment Of a Law
by which all mechanics and day laborers EN-
ployed by Or on behalf Of the Government
whether directly OF indirectly, through per
sons, firms or corporations, contracting with
the State, shall conform to the reduced stand
ard of eight hours per day recently adopted By
Congress for national employees, and also al
amendment to the acts Of incorporation fol
cities and towns by which all laborers anC
mechanics employed at their expenses shall
conform to the same number Of hours
3 That the protection Of life, liberty are
property are the three cardinal principles o
government, and the tirst tw O are more sacred
than the latter therefore money needed FOL
prosecuting wars should, as it Is required, b,
assessed and collected from che wealth of tn,
country, and not entailed as burden on pos
terity
10 That it is the duty Of the government
10 so exercise its power over railroads anC
telegraph corporations, that they shall mo-
in any case be privileged to exact such rate,
of freight, transportation or charges by what
ever name, as may bear unduly inequitablN
| upon the producer or consumer.
IL. That as both history aud experience,
tea us that power ever seeks to perpetual,
itself by every and all means at its command
and that its prolonged possession IN the hand
Of one person is always dangerous to tn,
liberty Of free people, and believing tina
the spirit Of our organic laws, aud the stabili
ty and safety of our free institutions are hes
obeyed on the one hand and secured on tn,
other by regular constitutional chang,
IN the Chief Executive Of the country al
each quadrennial election therefore We ar,
In favor of limiting the occupancy Of til,
presidential char to one term.
Il That there should he such reform il
the civil service of the national government
as will remove it beyond all partizan influence
and place 1t III the charge and under the Iii
rection of intelligent and competent bushes,
men
IL. That WE are IN favor Of granting uni
yersal amnesty, and restoring the Union a
once Oh the basis Of equality Of rights anc
privileges to all, the impartial administration
Of justice being the ouly true bond of unioI
to bind the States together and restore tn,
affections Of the people to the government,
IA. That We deem it expedient for Con
gress to revise the patent laws So as to CIV,
laborers more fully the benefits of their owl
ideas and inventions
Is. That fitness and not political or person
al considerations should be the only recon
mendation to public office. either appolntiv,
or elective, and any all laws looking to tn,
establishment Of this principle are heartily
approved
Is. Thai We demand the subsection Of tn,
military to the civil authorities, and the con
finement Of its operation to national purpose
alone