The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-07

National Industrial Congress,
Adopted July ~. Isse

WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth.
which, unless checked, viii inevitably lead To
the paunerzation and hopeless degradation of
the tGIllng 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 ll
borer the fruits of his toll. and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
Only he accomplished by the thorough unitica
ton 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 VI tbe
great deslderatum OF the hour is the orraniza-
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the producing masses. as a steppinr-stone to
that education which will in future lead Ia
more advanced action. through which the me-
cessary reforms can be obtained; and
WHEREAS, While we fully recognize the
power and efficiency Of Trade and Labor
Unions local and international. a. nov NJ
gained IN regulating purely trade matters
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare as whole the influence Of these or
carnations without closer nnion must prove
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the people of
the United States the objects sought to be ar-
complished by the Industrial Congress:
Flrst-Io bring within the folds Of the or.
ganlzation every department ~ productive III
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint fnr
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth-the true standard ii indivi.iu-
al and national greatness
Second-To secure to the toiIer an eopal
share Of the wealth which he helps to create
more Of the leisure that ngidly belongs tc
him more societary advantages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world; i'll word, all those rights and priv.
leges necessary to make him capable If Ell.
loying, approaching, defending and perpetu.
atlng the blessings of Republican institutions
Ihrd-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 Bureau,
of Labor Statistics
Fourth-The establishment Of cooper tive
institutions, productive and distributive.
Fitth-The reservipg of the public lands.
the heritage of the people, for the actual set.
lers and not another acre for railroads or spec.
ulators
Slxth-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 Of 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 al
least, the modification, Of the Burlngame
Treaty.
Ninth-To advance the standard Of Ameri-
can mechanics by the enactment and enforce
ment OF equitable apprentice laws
Tenth-To abolish the systel. 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 bv labor
saving machinery, which their brains have
created.
Tweltth-The providing Of a purely Ma
tlonal circulating medium, based on the faith
and resources Of the Nation, and issued d.
rectly to the people, so instituted as to con
stitute circulating medium Of the necessary
hexlbIbllty, and receivable for all demands,
public and private