The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-12-27
PLATFORM
National Industrial Congress,
AaepaeA Jaly 10, Is9a

WHEREAs, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably leNd to
the pauPerization and hopeless degradation of
the toiling masses, render it imperative, if We
desire to enjoy the blessings Of the govern
ment bequeathed US by the founders Of the
Republic, that check should be placed npon
its power and unjust accumulation, and
system adopted which will secure to the la
borer the fruits of his toll, and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unifica-
ton of labor, and the united efforts Of those
who obey the Divine injunction that "ln the
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread. and
WHEREAS, While we recognize in the bal
lot-box an agency by which these wrongs can
be redressed when other means fail. yet the
great desideratum of the hour is the organiza-
ton, consolidation and operative effort of
the producing masses. as a stepping stone tn
that education which will in future lead to
more advanced action, through which the ne
cessary reforms can be obtained: and
WHEREAS, While we fully recognize the
power and efficiency Of Trade and Labor
Unions, local and international, as now or
gained, in regulating purely trade matters,
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare q whole the influence Of these or
CARNATIONS without closer union must prove
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved. That we submit TO the people %
the United States the objects sought to he &C.
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First-To bring within the folds Of the or.
ganization every department Of productive in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth-the true standard Of individu-
al and national greatness.
Second--To secure tn the tOiler an equal
share Of the wealth which he helps to create;
more Of the leisure that Iigidly belongs to
him more SECRETARY advantages; more of the
benefits, privileges aud emOluments Of the
world; in word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable OF en-
ioyiDg, approaching. defending and perpetu-
atiDg the blessings of Republican institutions.
Third-To arrive at the true condition Of
the producing masses in their educational,
moral and financial condition, we demand
from the several States and from the Nation
81 Government the establishment Of Bureaus
OF Labor Statistics
Fourth The establishment of Cooper ativf
Institutions productive and distributive
klfth-TEe reservirg Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people for the actual set.
lers and not another acre for railroads or spec.
ulators.
Sixth-Ths abrogation Of s,all laws that dc
not bear equally upon capital and labor, and
by the adoption Of measures providing for the
health and safety Of those engaged in mining
manufacturing or building pursuits
Seventh-The substitution Of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employer,
and employees are willing to meet on equitabl,
grounds.
Eighth-The prohibition of the importation
OF all servile races, the discontinuance of al
subsidies granted to national vessels bringing
them to our shores, and the abrogation, or a
least, the modification, Of the Burlingam,
| Treaty
Ninth-TO advance the standard Of Ameri
can mechanics by the enactment and enforce
ment Of equitable apprentice laws.
Tenth-TO abolish the system Of contract
ing the labor Of convicts in our prisons anC
reformatory institutions.
Eleventh-The reduction of the hours o
labor to eight per day, so that the laborer
may have more time for social employment
and intellectual improvement, and be enabled
to reap the advantages conferred by labor
saving machinery, which their brains hav,
created
Twelfth-The providing Of . purely Ma
tional circulating medium, based on the faitl
and resources OF the Nation, and issued di
rectly to the people. 30 instituted as to con
stitute circulating medium of the necessary
fexibibihty, and receivable for all demands
public and private.