The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-10-18
PLATFORM
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted IuIy ~, Ia1s
rus

W WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
mcnt and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which. unless checked, will inevitably lead TO
the paupcrlation 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 a
system adopted which will secure to the la
sorer the fruits OF has 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-boN an agency by which these wrongs can
he redressed when other means fail. yet the
great desideratun of the hour is the organiza-
tIon, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the producing masses a stepping stone to
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
ganized, in regulating purely trade matters,
yet upon all questions appertaining TO their
welfare as whole the influence Of these or
CARNATIONS without closer union must prove
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the people OF
the United States the..objects sought to be ac-
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First To bring within the folds. of the or.
ganizatlon every department Of productive in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial. moral and social worth
not wealth. true standard Of individu-
al and national greatness
share Of the wealth which he helps to create;
more of the leisure that rigidly belongs to
him more SECRETARY AL -antages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments of the
world; in a word, all those rights and privi-
lc-rs necessary to make him capable Of en-
Toying 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 of Bureaus
of Labor Statistics.
Fourth The establishment of eo-ope alive
institutions. productive and distributive
Firth Tie reserving Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people. for the actual set
lcrs and not another acre for railroads OF spec
ulators.
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 II 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 on 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 Burlngame
Treaty.
Nin:h-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 and
reformatory institutions
Eleventh 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 3
Twelfth providing Of a purely Nall
tlonal circulating medium, based on the faith
and resources Of the Nation. and. issued -di-
rectly 10 the people, 80 ssassed as to con
stssrte 81 culatlng medium OF the necessary
hexibihility. and recei, able for all demands.
public and private.