The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-28
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted July 10, IsIs

WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably led 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 a
system adopted which will secure to the la
borer the fruits OF his toll, and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
Only be accomplished by the thorough unifica-
tinn 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, yet the
great desideratum of the hour is the organiza.
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the producing masses, as o 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
gained, in regulating purely trade matters.
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare as whole the influence u 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 he ac-
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First-To 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 wealthAthe true standard OF individu.
al and national greatness
Second-To secure to the toiler an equal
share Of the wealth which he helps to create
more Of the leisure that Iigidly belongs Il
him more SECRETARY advantages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments OF TIE
world; in a word, all those rights and priv
leges necessary to make him capable of en-
joying, appreciating, defending and perpetu
ating the blessings of Republican institutions
Thlrd-To arrive at the true condition o.
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 co-opetativ,
institutions, productive and distributive.
Fifth-TGe reservipg of the public lands
the heritage of the people, for the actual set
lers and not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators.
Sixth-The abrogation of all laws that d.
not bear equally upon capital and labor, anC
by the adoption of measures providing for thu
health and safety of those engaged in mining
manufacturing or building pursuits.
Seyenth-The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employer
and employees are willing to meet on equtabl,
grounds.
Eighth-The prohibition Of the importation
of all servile races, the discOutinuance Of al
subsidies granted to national vessels bringin,
them to our shores, and the abrogation, or a
least, the modification, Of the Burlingam,
| Treaty.
Ninth-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 anc
reformatory institutions.
Eleventh-The reduction Of the hours o
labor to eight per day, so that the hboreri
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 n purely Ma
honal circulating medium, based on the faitl
and resources Of the Nation, and issued di
rectly to the people, 30 instituted as to con
stitute CHI eulating medium Of the necessary
fiexibibility, and receivable for all demands
pablic and private.