The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-05-09
PLATFORM
or THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April 10. 1874.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably leNd TO
the pauperization and hopeless degradation of
the toiling masses, renders 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
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 unifca-
ton of labor, and the united efforts Of those
who obey the Divine injunction that "ln the
sweat Of thy face thou shalt eat thy bread )"
and,
| WHEREAS, The great disideratum of the
hour is the organization and direction, by CO.
operative efforts, of the power Of the produc-
ing masses for their substantial elevation, vet
we recognize in the bAllot-box the great agency
through which our wrOAgs can be redressed /;
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 of the masses as a whole, the influence
L
must prove comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the people Of
the United States the objects sought to be az
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 merit and social worth
not wealth-the true standard Of individ-
ual 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 Iighsly belongs to
him more SECRETARY advantages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emOluments Of the
world; in a word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable of en-
joying, 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 cooper ativt
institutions, productive and distributive.
Hfth-Tne reservipg Of the public lands,
the heritage of the people, for the actual set
lers, and not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators.
| nC oDIOk1LiOu Ol all laws LuAI Ut
not bear equally upon capital and labor, and
the adoption Of measures providing for the
health and safety of those engaged in mining,
manufacturing and building pursuits.
Seventh-The enactment Of law to com
pei chartered corporations to pay their EN-
plOyes at least once in every month"; in full,
for labor performed during the preceding
month, in the lawful money Of the country
Eighth-The enactment Of law giving
mechanics and laborers first lien ON their
works.
Ninth-The abOlishment Of the contract
system on the national, State and municip
work.
Tenth-To inaugurate a system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange of the pro-
auctions of farmers and mechanics, tending
to do away with middlemen and spectators.
Eleventh-To maugurate system Of cheap
transportation, to facilitate the exchange Of
commodities
Twelfth-The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employees are willing to meet ON equitable
grounds.
Thirteenth prohibition of the import
alton Of all servile races, the discOntinuance Of
all subsidies granted to national vessels bring
ing them to our shores, and the abrogation
or at least, the modification of the Burlingamt
Treaty.
Fourteensh-TO advance the standard Of
American mechanics, by the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws.
Fifteenth-TO abolish the system Of con
tracing the labor Of convicts in our prisons
and refoFmAtory institutions
Sixteenth-The reduction Of the hours Of
labor TO sight per day, 50 that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoyment
and Intellectual Improvement, and be enabled
to reap the advantages conferred by labor.
saving machinery, which their brains have
created.
Seventeenth. That it is the duty of the Gov
ernment TO establish Just standard Of distri.
button to capital and labor by providing pure
ly national circulating medium, based on the
faith and resources of the nation, issued
directly to the people, without the interven-
tion Of any system of banking corporations,
which money shall be a legal-tender in the
payment Of all debts, public and private, and
interchangeable ut the option Of the holder for
Government bonds, bearing q rate Of interest
not to exceed 2 $500 per cent, subject to
fnture leQislatiOn BY Congress.