The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-12-05
PLATFORM.
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April 10, Is1s.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
OF THE

WHEREAS. The Mechanics and Working
men Of the United States, through their duly
authorized and acc credited representatives in
National Convention assembled, after full and
careful consideration, presented the follow
ing Declaration of Principles, as the embOdi-
meut of their sentiments, believing that their
adoption would secure more general ditfu-
sion Of wealth, and the disenthrallment of
labor, and
WHEREAS, such platform reflects our views
at length, and we herewith present them for
the endorsement of this meeting. They are
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 toiling masses renders it imperative, il
we desire to enjoy the blessings Of the gov
ermeIt bequeathed us by the founders Of the
Republic, that check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation and a sys-
TEN adopted which will secure to 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 In
the sweat Of thy face thou shalt eat thy
bread Y 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
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
ganized, III regulating purely trade matters,
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare IL the masses a whole, the infu-
ence of these orga izations, without closer
union, must prove comparatively futile
TheI efOTe
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.
dustry, making knowledge q standpoint for
action, and industIia merit and social worth
no wealth the true standard Of individ.
ual 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 t.
hi IA more SECRETARY 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 Ell.
jOying, approaching defending and perpet-
uating the blessir * of republican institutions
Third-TO arrive at the true condition OF
the producing masses III their educational
moral aud financial condition. We demand
from the several States aud from the National
Government the establishment Of Bureaus Of
Labor Stati tics.
Fourth-The establishment of cooperative
ins,it ,tions, productive and distributive.
Fifth-The rsserving of the public lands
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set.
lers, ard not another acre for railroads OF
spectators.
Sixth-The abrogatIon of all laws that Dc
not bear equally up N 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 enactnent 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 law giving
mechanics and laborers first lien on theiI
works.
Ninth-The adjustment of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-IO lnaugurate q system OF public
markets to facilitate the exchange of pro
ducts of farmers and mechanics, tending t.
do away with mindlemen and SPECTATORS
Eleventh--ro inaugurate a system Of cheaI
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 eqni
table grounds.
Thirteenth prohibition Of the impor
tetion Of all servile races, the discontinuanct
Of all subsidies granted to national vessels
bringing them to our shores and the abroga.
ton, or at least, the modification of the Bur.
hngame Treaty
Fourteenth-To advance the standard o.
American mechanics, BY the enactment and
enforcement of equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth 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, SO that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy ment and
intellectual improvement, and be enabled ia
reap the advantages conferred by labor-saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Seventeenth That it is the duty Of the
Government to establish a Just standard OF
distribution to capital and labor by providing
q purely national circulating medium, based
on the faith and resources Of the nation, is.
sued directly to the people, without the in.
tervention Of any system Of banking corpO
rations, which money shall be legal tender
in the payment Of all debts, public and pri-
vate. and interchangeable at the option Of the
holder for Government bonds, bearing . rate
Of interest not to exceed S. leo per cert,