The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-08-23
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress.
Adopted July -, Isss

WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead TO
the pauperlzatlon and hopeless degradation of
the tolllng 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 q
system adopted which will secure to the la
sOrer the fruits OF his toll. and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unifca-
ton of labor, and the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine injunction that I'm the
sweat OF thy face shalt thou eat bread, and
WHEREAS, While We recognize in the bal
iot-bo1 an agency by which these wrongs can
De redressed when other means fail, vet the
great desideratum Of the hour is the orpaniza-
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the producing masses. a stepping stone To
that education which will IN futur. 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 Iahor
mons, local and International as now or
gained, ia regulating purely trade matters.
YET upon all questions appertalninr to their
welfare as whole the influence Of these or.
CARNATIONS without closer union must rrovs
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the peopIe az
the nlted States the objects sought To be &C
comDlished by tine Industrial Congress
flrst-Io bring within the folds of the or.
s.....r sgsry ienaEtmept of pgsnst,
dustry, making knowledge a stapdpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth-the true standard Of indiyidu.
al and national greatness
Second 10 secure to the toiler an eanal
share Of the wealth which he helps tn creat,
more Of the leisure that ligidly belonos ~
hun; more SECRETARY advantages; more 81 tbs
benefits, privileges and emolHments Of the
world; IN word, all those rights and priyi.
leges necessary to make him capable Of en-.
IoyIng, approaching. defending and perpetu.
ating the blessings Of Republican institutions
Third 10 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 Bureau,
of Labor Statistics
Fourth-The establishment of cooper alive
institutions, productive and distributive.
FIfth-TEe reservirg of the public land,
the heritage of the people, for the actual set.
tier. and not another acre for railroads or spee.
ulatOrs.
Slxth-Ihe 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 emplovers
and employees are willing to meet on equitable
grounds
Eighth The prohibition of the Importation
OF all servlle races, the discontinuance Of all
subsidies granted to national vessels bringing
them to our shores, and the abropation. or at
least, the modification, Of the Burlingame
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 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.
Twelfth-The providing of a purely Ma
nonAi circulating medium, based on the faith
and resources Of the Nation, and issued d.
rectly to the people, so instituted rs to con
stitute circulating medium Of the necessary
nexlbibllIty, and receivable for all demands
public and private.