The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-12-06
PLATFORM
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted JWly ~. IS1a

WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression of aggregated wealth,
which. unless checked, will inevitably lead 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 Ia
borer the fruits OF his toll, and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
Only he accomplished by the thorough unitica-
tion Of labor. and the united efforts Of those
who obey the Divine Injunction that "In 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 vet the
great desideratuH, of the hour is the organiza-
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort If
the producing masses, as stepping stone to
that education which will in future lead 10
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, a. now or.
gained, in regulating purely trade matters.
vet upon all questions appertainlng IA their
welfare a. a whole the influence uf these or.
CARNATIONS without closer union must prove
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved. That we submit to the people Of
the I mted States the objects sought a. De ac-
complished hy the Industrial Congress.
First 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-Jo secure To the tuiler an euual
share of the wealth which he helps TO create.
more Of the leisure that Iigidlv belongs to
him more SECRETARY advantages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world; IN word all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable Of en-
JoyiDg, approaching defending and perpetu-
ating 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
al Government the establishment al Bureaus
Of Labor Statistics
Fourth-The establishment Of cooper ative
institutions productive and distributive.
tlfth-Tne reservirg Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
lers and not another acre for railroads or spec
ulat0Rs.
Sixth-The abrogation Of all laws that do
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 EMPLOYERS
and employees are willing to meet GU equitable
grounds.
Eighth-The prohibition of the importation
Of all servile races, the discontinuance of all
subsidies granted to national vessels bringing
them to our Shores and the abrogation, or at
least, the modification. Of the Burlingame
/ Treaty.
| Nlnth-To advance the standard Of Amer
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 and
reformatory institutions.
Eleventh-The reduction Of the hours of
labor To eight per day, so that the laborers
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 have
| created
Iweltth-Ihe providing of a purely Ma
tonal circulating medium, based on the faith
and resources Of the Nation, and issued di-
rectly to the people, so instituted as to con
stitute circulating medium Of the necessary
| fexlbibility, and receivable for all demands.
public and private