The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-21
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted July ~. IS7s

WHEREAS, The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked. will inevitably lead TO
the pauperization and hopeless degradation of
the toiling masses, render it imperative. if we
desire to enjoy the blessings Of the govern
ment bequeathed us by 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 la.
borer the fruits of his toll, and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
Only be accomplished by the thorough unifca-
ton Of labor, and the united efforts Of those
who obey the Divine injunction that ''In the
sweat Of thy face shalt thou cat 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 desideratum of the hour is the orcaniza-
ton, consolidation and cooperative effort OF
the producing masses, as a stepping-ston 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
gained, IN regulating purely trade matters.
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare as whole the influence IL these or
comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the peopIe Of
the United States the objects sought to be sc-
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First-To bring within the folds of the or.
ganlzation every department Of productive in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action. and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth-the true standard Of indiyidu
al and national greatness
Second-Jo secure to 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; in word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable of en-
joying, approaching. 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 operative
institutions productive and distributive
Fifth-TGe reservirg Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
lers and not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators
Slxth-The abrogation OF all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, and
ny the adoption of measures providing for the
health and safety of those engaged in mining,
manufacturing or building pursuits
Seventh-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 sery1le 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-The 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
tional circulating medium, based ON the faith
and resources Of the Nation, and issued di-
rectly to the people, 80 instituted as to con-
stitute eli culating medium of the necessary
hexlbibility, and receivable for all demands,
public and private.