The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-04-25

Of their study and toll, ever gravitating
through the sluices of capital beyond their
reach, into the sea OF Capitalization. which
must ever increase under our present false
system Of distribution, only TO send forth
the streams Of monopoly in increased
volume, which, If not checked. must. are
long ruin the independence. and destrov
the dearest liberties of the American worE.
ingman.
The sons Of parents who sought this land
OF the west TO secure the liberties they
were denied at home, and to escape the
misery and poverty that extremes Of wealth
and monopoly had produced in the lands
OF our fathers, had better be up and doing
IN America, remembering that like causes
produce like effects. The system of distri-
button that pertains tc the Eastern Hem
isphere, transplanted in the Western, must
In time produce the same results Then
It 10 our duty, who are the producers u all
wealth, to devise ways and means to save
America from the fate of Europe in this
respect.
And how can it better be done than by
reasoning together, and harmOnizing all the
elements Of Observation-Disclosures, laborer
and artizan-to cooperate against the
robber power Of money, as at present con
stltuted, to accumulate the result of labor,
without rendering any just equivalent
Hoping that your Congress may meet
the most sanguine wishes of the best friends
Of labor, 1 remain yours, on the part Of the
part Of the Executive Q. L. IT,,
JOHN HEwIrT, Sec'y.
The following resolution was offered BY
Henry Dorm, of Ohio
WHEREAS, The general public are of the
opinion that Trades Unions are detrimental
to the interests OF the working classes, believ-
ing that they fetter the actions and opinions
OF workmgmen generally, and believing like.
wise that they are led BY unprincipIed aQita-
tors, who make it their duty to 20 around the
country and spread discomfort among the la
boring classes who would otherwise be con
tented with their lot, we, a. Trade TTnionists.
would desire to make known to the public
generally that We are opposed to strikes from
principle. and would advocate the passage ot
a bill in congress making it compulsory for
employers and employees 10 settle
their grievances ard disputes BY arbitration.
This would be the means Of creating better
feeling between employers and employees, and
would be guarantee against advantages be-
ing taken on either side during business pros
perity or adversity.
We would also urge upon the members of
congress to take into consideration the neces-
Iity Of compelling corporations, firms and
employers, TO pay their wOrkmen at least once
svery month in United States currency. and
nave regular pay day.
We also heartily approve the resolution
adopted At the last Industrial Congress, and
rust that the present Industrial Congress will
AXE the necessary steps to secure their en-
orcement.
Referred to Committee on Arbitration.
j. II. Wright, of Indiana, offered the
following
WHEREAS, The order known a. the Pa
'rons Of Husbandry have embraced principle
hat this Congress recognizes a. truth, VIZ
United strength the stronger, and that in the
application, they make the system Of cooper.
tive purchase Of supplies practicable. thereby
'aving to themselves large percentage of
profits usually expended upon dealers and
non-prOduoers Of the wealth OF
he nation, and
WHEREAS, This practical application Of the
principles of the Congress is open
20 our constituencies, well as to the tillers
II the soil and labOrers we deem it within
he province Of this Congress to devise means
or the financiL as well az social and intellect
lal elevation Of the laboring classes there
ore
ResotUed, That tins Congress heartily Ia
iorse the principle Of cooperation il the pur-
;hase Of supplies, and earnestly recommend
ts adoption as principle and practice to all
abor organizations
Resolved, That this Congress take immedi-
Ite steps towards such re-modeIing OF our
constitutional law as will bring the laburIng
classes into organization under this Congress,
md to close athliation with the Patrons OF
Husbandry that III their theory we but dem
1nstrate the utility of our theory United
strength the stronger"
The following was offered by John W.
Fultz
WHEREAS. During the late pane it has
been fully demonstrated to US that corpora
lions and capitalists have taken every advan.
tage Of their employees, and have not paid them
their wages from sixty to ninety days after
being due, and
WHEREAS, There has been much suffering.
and in some cases employees have not been able
TO provide the necessaries of life to their fam
Ines through the criminal neglect of corpora
Iions, capitalists and employers to pay their
employees. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That this Congress recommend to
the executive committee Of each state to get
printed copies Of petitions and furnish the
same to the president of subordinate unions,
he 10 appoint committee to obtain signatures
10 the petitions, asking the legislature VI
their respective states to pass a Law COMPEL
ing employers TO pay their employees every
thirty days, and to provide an equitable ana
just hen law by which an attachment may
issue after Judgment, and sale "
made without relief or apprsisement, for satis-
faction Of wages due to employees.
Referred to Committee on Constitution
The following was offered by CHRISTOPHER
Kane ,1D,
ResoIred, That all resolutions/ aLk4i
this convention be referred to- vesco
without debate " .ooo
Adopted. %
The Special Committee on Currency
preaensed the following report
Resolved Thas the Industrial Congress Of
the United States. representing the producing
clAsaea, hereby issues ita Irotegt against the
expansion Of the currency Issued by or through
the manipulation Of th@ National Banking sys-
TEN, believing it to be the robber Of labor aud
the sum Of all villainies
Resolved, That we demand the issue Of
national circulating medium by the Govern
ment directly to the people, the same Go be
legal tender tOf All deDtst puDhc OF priVate,
based on The faith and resources Of the cuun-
try.
Resolved, That 4 copy Of the foregoing reso-
lutions be signed by the President and Secry-
tary Of the Industrial Congress, and forward
ed o. the presiding officer of the Senate. and
Speaker of the House 81 Representatives
On motion, the report was received and
acted upon, section by section.
After q lengthy confederation of the re-
port, Of which was advocated by Mossrs.
Cameron, of Illinois sheldon, of Ohio
Blair and Day, of New York and opposed
by Messrs Mcneil, oi Massachusetts, and
Stevens, of New York, the resolutions
were almost unanimously adopted.
On motion, the resolution Cafered by
Mr.. O'Hara was referred % committee NJ