Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-08-07
The W0rkingmen's Platform.

The National Industrial Congress, re-
Gently in session at Cleveland, Ohio,
adopted the following platform:
WHEREAS, The recent alarming development
and aggression Of aggregated wealth, which, I'M
less checked will inevitably lead to the pauperiza-
ton and hopeless degradation of the toing masses,
render II Imperative II we desire to enjoy the bless
ings of the Government bequeathed by the
founders of the Republic, that check should be
placed upon the power and unjust accumulation
OF wealth, and system adopted which will secure
to the laborer the fruis of his toll: and.
WHEREAS, This much desired object can only be
accomplished by the thorough unification 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 ballot box
agency by which these Wrongs can be redressed
when other means fail yet the great desidera-
tum of the hour Is the organization, consolida-
ton, and cooperative effort of the producing
masses as a stepping stone to that education that
Will III the future lead to more advanced action,
through which the necessary reforms can be OBJ
tanned; and
WHEREAS While we fully recognize the power
and efficiency of Trade and Labor Unions, local
and international, a. now organized in regulating
purely trade matters. yet upon all questions apper
tanning to their welfare as whole the influence of
these organizations without closer union must prove
comparatively futile: therefore,
ReSotced That we submit to the people of the
United States the objects sought to be accomplish
ed by the Industrial Congress:
/. To bring within the folds of the organization
every department of productive industry, making
knowledge a standpoint for action. and industrial
moral, and social worth, not wealth, the true
standard of individual and national greatness.
2. To secure to the toiler equal share of the
wealth which he helps to create; more of the leis
ure that rightly belongs to him. more society ad-
vantages; more of the benefits privileges, and
emoluments of the world in word all those
rights and privileges necessary to make him capa-
bic Of enjoying, approaching, defending and per
petuatlng the blessings of Republican Institutions
3. To arrive at the true condition of the produce
ing masses III their educational. moral, and fnan-
cial condition, we demand from the several States
and from the National Government the establish
ment of Bureaus of Labor Statistics.
q. The establishment of cooperative institutions
productive and distributive.
>. The reserving of the public lands. the heritage
of the people, for the actual settler and another
acre for railroads or spectators.
+. The abrogation of all laws that do not bear
equally upon capital and labor and by the adop-
ton of measures providing for the health and safety
Of those engaged i'll manufacturing or building
pursuit.
T. TIL. substitution of arbitration for strikes
whenever and wherever employers and employees
are willing to meet on equitable grounds.
g. The prohibition Of the importation of all ser
vile races, the dlscOntinuance of all subsidies
granted to mail vessels bringing them to shores
and the abrogaton, or at least the modification, of
the Burlingame Treaty.
g. To advance the standard of American mechan-
les by the enactment and enforcement of equitable
apprentice laws.
10. To discountenance the system of contracting
the labor OF conVlcts In our prisons and reforma-
tory institutions
II. The reduction of the hours of labor to eight
per day, SO that laborers may have more time for
social enjoyment and intellectual improvement,
and be enabled to reach the advantage conferred
by abor-saving machinery which its brain has Gre
ated
II. The providing of purely National circulat-
ing medium, based on the faith and resources of
the Nation, and issued directly to the people, SO
instituted as to constitute circulating medium of
the necessary fexibility and receivable for all de
mands, public and private.