The workingman's advocate., 1874-03-28
PLATFoRM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted JaIy 10, 1871

WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead TO
the panPeIIzatiOn and hopeless degradation of
the tolling masses, render it imperative, if we
desire to enjoy the blessings Of the govern
ment bequeathod us hy 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 Ia
borer the fruits OF his toll, and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
"hly he accomplished by the thorough unitica-
ti"n OF labor, aud the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine injunction that ''In the
sweat OF thy face shalt thDn eat bread, and
WHEREAS, While we recognize in the bal
lot-boX an agency by which these wrongs can
he redressed when other means fail vet the
great deslderatun. Of the hour is the organiza-
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort Of
the produclng masses, as stepping stone to
that education which will in future lead "a
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.
ganzed, in regulating purely trade matters.
yet upon all questions appertaining to thciI
CARNATIONS without closer union must prove
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the pen,l. oI
the United States the objects sought to he ac
compllshed by the Industrial Congress:
First To bring within the folds of the or
ganizatlon every department. Of productive. in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint fo,
action, and industrial, moral and social wortI
not wealth-the true standard of individu
al and national greatness
| Second-Io secure To the toiler an eoua
share of the wealth which he helps to create
more Of the leisure that rigidly belongs I,
HIM more societary advantages; more ii tn,
benefits. privileges and emoluments of ia,
world; in a word. all those rights and privi
leges necessary 10 make him capable Of en-
| Ioying appreciating. defending and perpetlr
ating the blessings Of Republican Institutions
lhlrd-Io arrive at the true condition o
the producing masses in their educational
moral and financial condition, we deman,
from the several States and from the Nation
al Government the establishment Of Bureau
of Labor Statistics
Fourth-The establishment of co-opetat
institutions, productive and distributive
Fifth II e RESERVE. OF the public land,
the heritage of th" people, for the actual set
lers ami not another acre for railroads or spe.
ulat0rs.
Slxth-The abrogation Of all laws that Il
not bear equally upon capital and labor, an,
by the adoption Of measures providing for tn
health and safety Of those engaged in mining
manufacturing or building pursuits
Seventh-Ihe substitution of arbitration
Tor strikes, whenever and wherever employer
and employees are willing to meet on equitabl
grounds.
Eighth The prohibition of the importation
"i all servIie races, the discontinuance Of al
SUBSIDIES granted to national vessels bringing
them t. our shores, and the ahrogation. or a
least, the modification. of the Burlingam
Treaty.
Ninth 70 advance the standard of Amer
San mechanics hy the enactment and enforce
ment OF equitable apprentice laws
Ienth-To abolish The system Of contract
ing the labor of convicts in our prisons an,
reformatory institutions
Eleventh-The reduction Of the hours O
labor to eight per day, so that the laborer
may have more time for social enplovmen
and intellectual improv ement. and Ne enable,
To reap the advantages conferred bV labor
saving machinery, which their brains hav
created
Tweltth-Ihe providing Of a purely Va
tional circulating medium, based on the fart
and resources of the Nation. and issued III
rectly To the people, instituted as tn con
stitnte eli ;ulating medium Of the necessar
feMbibllity, and receivable for all demand,
pIbhc and private