The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-07
PLATFORM
or THE
National Industrial Congress,


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 tolling masses, render it imperative, if we
desire to enjoy the blessings Of the govern
ment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic that a check should be placed npon
its power and unjust accumulation, and
system adopted which will secure tn the la
borer the fruits OF his toll. and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unifics-
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 vet the
great desideratun Of the hour is the organiza-
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the producing masses. as a 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
ganized, IN regulating purely trade matters.
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare as q whole the influence Of 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 be ac-
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First-To bring within the folds Of the or.
ganlzatlon every department of productive in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth-the true standard of individu-
al and national greatness
SecOnd-To secure tn the toiler an equal
share Of the wealth which he helps TO create:
more of the leisure that Iigidly belongs to
him more SECRETARY advantages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world; III a word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable Of en-
joying, appreciating, 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 alive
institutions, productive and distributive.
Fifth-T.e 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 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
Seyenth-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 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 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
tlonal circulating medium, based on the faith
and resources of the Nation, and issued di-
rectly to the people, so instituted as to con-
stitute eli culating medium Of the necessary
hexlbibility, and receivable for all demands.
public and private