The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-21

or THE
National Industrial Congress,


WHERRAs, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to
the pauperization and hopeless depreciation of
the toiling masses, render it imperative, il we
desire to enjoy the blessings Of the govern
ment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that q check should be placed npon
its power and unjust accumulation, and .
system adopted which will secure to the Ia
borer the fruits Of his toll, and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unifica-
ti"n Of labor, and the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine injunction that an 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 desideratum Of the hour il the orRaniza-
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the producing masses, ~ q stepping stone to
that education which will in future lead to
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. now or
gained, in regulating purely trade matters.
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare as 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 &C.
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First-To bring within the folds Of the or
ganization every department Of productive in.
dustry, making knowledge . standpoint 70,
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth-the true standard of individu.
al and national greatness.
Second-To secure to the toiler an emma
share OF the wealth which he helps to create
more of the leisure that rigidly belongs x
him more SECRETARY advantages; more ii the
benefits, privileges and emoluments of the
world; IN word, all those rights and priv
leges necessary to make him capable of en-
loying, approaching defending and perpetu
atlng the blessings of Republican institutions
Third-TO arrive at the true condition O.
the producing masses in their educational
moral and financial condition, we demapt
from the several States and from the Nation
| al Government the establishment of Bureaus
of Labor Statistics
Fourth-The establishment Of cooper ativ,
institutions, productive and distributive.
Flfth-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 sbrogation of all laws that d
not bear equally upon capital and labor, an,
by the adoption of measures providing for tn
health aud safety Of those engaged in mining
manufacturing or building pursuits
Seventh-The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever EMPLOYER
and employees are willing to meet on equitabl
grounds.
Eighth-The prohibition of the importation
OF all servile races, the discontinuance 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 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 an,
reformatOry institutions
4 Eleventh-The reduction Of the hours o
labor to eight per day, so that the laborer
may have more time for social employment
and Intellectual improvement. and be enable,
to reap the advantages conferred by labor
saving machinery, which their brains hav
created.
Twelfth-The providing Of q purely Ma
tional circulating medium, based on the fsitl
and resources Of the Nation, and issued di
rectly to the people, 50 instituted rs to con
stltute ell culating medium of the necessar,
hexlbibility, and receivable for all demands
public and private