The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-11-07
FLATFORM-
or THE
National Industrial Congress,
AassssA APRIL 49, ls'A,
psctaHarlos OF PRINCIPLES.

WHRnRAGsyEk Mechanics aud Working
men oSthe United States, through their duly
authpeized and accredited representatives in
Awtionsl Convention assembled. after full and
careful consideration, presented the follow
ing Declaration Of Principles, rs the embodi.
meut of their sentiments, believing that their
adoption would secure a more general ditfu
sion Of wealth, and the disenthrallment of
labor, and
WnERKAs, such platform reflects our views
ut length, and we herewith present them for
the endorsement Of this meeting. They are
40 follows:
WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation Of
the toilinQ masses, renders it imperative, if
we desire to enjoy the blessings Of the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that a check should be placed upon
it's power and unjust accumulation, and q sys-
TEN adopted which WILL secure to the laborer
the fruits of has toll and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unfit
cation Of labor, and the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine Injunction that In
the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat thy
bread )" and
WHEREAs, The great desideratum 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
sncy through which our wrongs can be re-
| agessed (; 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 appertainlng to their
welfare Of the masses a whole, the inhu-
ence of these organisations, without closer
union, must prove comparatively futile !;
| Their store
Resolved, That we submit to the people Of
the United States the objects sought to be &C.
complished by the Industrial Congress
| Fnst-To briug within the folds of the or
ganization every Departmental productive in
dustFy, making knowledge 9 standpoint for
action, and industrial merit and social worth
no wealth the true standard Of iudivid-
ual and national greatness.
Second-To secure to the toiler an equal
share Of the wealth which he helps to create
more of the !easure that rightly belongs to
him more SECRETARY advantage; more of the
benefits. privileges and emoluments Of the
world in q word. all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable Of en-
1 JOy1uks 0RPICSiAbAhkp uctCttubIik 8uu PGfpcb-
uating 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 National
Government the establishment Ct Bureaus Of
| Labor S.ati tics.
Fourth-The establishment Of cooperative
insiit ltions, productive and distributive
Fifth-The reserving of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
lers, ard not another acre for railroads or
spectators.
Sixth-The abrogatlon Of all laws that do
not bear equally cpnn 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 a law giving
mechanics and laborers first lien ON their
works.
Ninth-The abolishment Of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-To inangurate q system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange Of pro
ducts OF farmers and mechanics, tending to
do away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh--To inaugurate system Of cheap
transportation, to facilitate the exchange Of
| commodities.
Twelfth-The substitution OF arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employ
ers and employees are willing to meet on equi-
table grounds.
Thirteenth-The prohibition Of the impor-
| tation of all servile races, the discontinuance
of all subsidies granted to national vessels
bringing them to our shores, and the Abroga-
| tion or at least, the modification of the Bur
lingame Treaty.
Fourteenth-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 reformatory institutions
Sixteenth.-The reduction Of the hours Of
labor to eight per day, that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy ment aud
intellectual improvement, and be enabled to
reap the advantages conferred by labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created.
Seventeenth it il the duty Of the
Government to establish just standard of
distribution to capital and labor by providing
y purely national circulating medium, based
ON the faith and resources of the nation, is
sued directly to the people, without the in
terventionOf any system of banking corpo.
rations, which money shall be legal tender
in the payment Of all debts, public and pri-
vste. and interchangeable at the option Of the
holder for Government bonds, bearing . rate
Of interest not to exceed 3 65-lOO PEI cent,
subject to future legislation by Congress.