The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-12-19
PLATFORM.
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April Is, Is7A.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.


WHEREAS, The Mechanics and Working
men Of the United States, through their duly
authorized and accredited representatives in
National Convention assembled, after full and
careful consideration, presented the follow
ing Declaration Of Principles, ~ the embodi-
meut of their sentiments, believing that their
adoption would secure more gG1erAl diffu.
sion of wealth, and the disenthrallmcnt of
labor, aud
WHEREAS, such platform reflects our views
ut length, and we herewith present them for
the endorsement of this meeting They are
as follows:
WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead TO
the pauperisation aud hopeless degradation Of
the toiling masses, renders it imperative, if
we desire to enjoy the blessings Of the gov
erment bequeathed Ms by the founders Of the
Republic, that check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, and O sys-
tenn adopted which wifi secure 10 the laborer
the fruits Of his 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 on that Elm
the sweat Of thy face thou shalt eat thy
bread !" and
WHEREAS. The great desideratum Of the
hour il the organization and direction, BY CO.
operative efforts, Of the power Of the produc-
ing masses for their substantial elevation,
yet we recognize in the ballot box the great
agency through which our wrongs can be re-
dressed 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 a. q wholA, the inhur
ence Of these organizations, 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 briug within the folds Of the or
gAnization every Departmental productive in.
dustry. making knowledge . standpoint for
action, and industrial merit and social worth
no wealth the true standard Of individ-
uL and national greatness.
Second-To secure to the toiler an equal
share Of the wealth which he helps to create;
more Of the leasure that rightly belongs 70
him more societary advantage more Of the
benefits, privileges and emOluments Of the
world in . word, all those rights and PRIV.
leges necessary to make him capable Of en-.
joying, appreciating, defending and perpet.
uating the blessings Of republican institutions.
Third-TO arrive ut the true condition Of
the producing masses in their educational,
! rno-.l and RnAAsial condition. we demand
from the several States and from the National
Government tbs establshment of Bureaus Of
| Labor Staff tios
Fourth-The establishment Of co.opersE5vs
instit utions. productive and distributivs
I Fifth-The reserving Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for che actual sst-
lers, AID not another acre for railroads Oh
spectators.
Sixth-The abrogAtIOn of all laws that do
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 10 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 q law giving
mechanics and laborers first lien ON their
works
Ninth-The aboliahment Of the eoutrac,
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth To inAueur.ts system OF public
markets 10 facilitate che exchange Of pro
duets of farmers and mechanics, tending 10
do away with mindlemen and speculators
Eleventh--TO inaugurate system Of cheap
transportation, to facilitate the exchange q
commodities
Twelfth-The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, whenever aud wherever employ.
ers and employees are willing 10 meet on equi.
table grounds.
Thirteenth prohibition Of the inpor.
tatioa OF all servile racsa, the discontinuance
of all subsidies granted to national vessels
bringing them to our shores and the abroRa.
ton, or ut least, the modification of the Bur.
lingame Treaty.
Fourteenth-To advance the standard OF
American nseehaRics, 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 d
labor to eight per day, % that tia lahorsra
may have more time for social enjosmsnt and
intellectual improvement, and be enabled "a
reap the advantage conferred by labOF-ssvime
machiuery, which their brains have creatsi
Seventeenth That il ID the duty of ths
Government to establish Just stsndard a
distribution TO capital and labor by providine
. purely national circulating medium, bassd
ON the faith and resources Of the.. nation, l.
sued directly 10 the people, wikhoat ths h
terventionof any systsm Of banking ssEpo-
rations, which money shall be lsgal tender
in the payment Of al debts, public and phi
vate. and interchangeable at the option Of ~
holder Cor Government bonds, beafink kn11
ofiuterest n0e 70 exceed 2 s. 100 per os1k,
subject TO future legislation by Congress.