The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-10-24
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April IG, IssG.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
OF THE

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 following
Declaration of Principles as the embodiment
of their sentiments, believing that their
adoption would secure = more general diffu-
sion of wealth, and the observation-disclosures 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 aggregates wealth
which, unless checked, will inevitably leed tC
the pauperization and hopeless degradation Of
Gne toiling masses, renders it imperative, If we
desire to enjoy the blessings of the govern
Ient bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that a check should be placed npor
its power and unjust accumulation, and !
system adopted which will secure to the La
borer the fruits of his toll and
WHEREAS, This much desired object car
only be accomplished by the thorough unifica
ton Of labor, and the united efforts Of thos.
who obey the Divine injunction that 'In th,
sweat of thy face thou shalt eat thy bread J
| and,
| WHEREAS, The great disideratum Of tn,
hour is the organization and direction. by co
operative efforts, Of the power of the produc
ing masses for their substantial elevation. We
we recognize IN the ballot box the great agenc,
through which our wrongs can be redressed
| and
WHEREAS, While we fully recognize tn
power and efficiency of Trade and Labo
! Unions,-local and international, as now or
gained, in regulating purely trade matters
yet upon all questions appertaining to thei
welfare of the masses as q whole, the infuenc
of these organizations, without closer union
must prove comparatively futile; Therefore
| Resolved, That we submit to the people a
the United States the objects sought to be AZ
compGshed by the Industrial Congress:
First-To bring within the folds Of the OF
ganizatiOn every department Of productive in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint "a
action, and industrial merit and social wort
not wealth-the true standard of indiviC
ual and national greatness.
Second-JO secure to the tOiler an eaus
share of the wealth which he helps to Great,
more OF the leisdre that rightly belongs I
him more SECRETARY advantages; more Of til
benefits, privileges and emOluments of tn
| world; In word, all those rights and priv
leges necessary to make him capable Of en-
Toying, approaching, defending AMI perpetr
atlDg the blessings Of Republican institution,
| Thlrd-To arrive at the true condition {
| the producing masses in their educationa
moral and financial condition. we deman
from the several States and from the Natior
al Government the establishment of Bureau
| of Labor Statistics.
Fourth-The establishment Of co-operatiy
institutions, productive and distributiye.
F1fth-TEe reservirg Of the public land,
the heritage of the people, for the actual sci
ers, and not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators.
Sixth-The abrogation Of all laws that d
not bear equally upon capital and labor, an
the adoption OF measures providing for tn
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
tor labor performed during the precedin
month, in the lawful money Of the country
Eighth-The enactment of a law Oiv;5
mechanics and labOrers first lien on thei
works
Ninth-The adjustment of the contra,
system on the national, State and municipa
work
Tenth-To inaugurate a system Of publi
markets to facilitate the exchange of the pro
auctions Of farmers and mechanics. tendin,
to do away with middlemen and spectators
Eleventh-To lnaugurate a system Of cheal
transportation, to facilitate the exchange O
commodities.
Twelfth-The substitution of arbitratio,
Tor strikes, whenever and wherever employer
and employees are willing to meet on eqnitabl
grounds.
Thirteenth-The prohibition Of the import
alton OF all servile races, the discontinuance O
all SUBSIDIES granted to national vessels bring
ing them to our shores, and the abrogation
or ut least, the modification Of the Burlinpam
Treaty
Fourteenth-To advance the standard O
American mechanics, by the enactment an,
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth-To abolish the system of con
tracing the labor of convicts in our prison
and reformatory institutions
Sixteenth-The reduction of the hours q
labor to eight per day, so that the laborer
may have more time for social eniovmen
and Intellectual improvement, and be enable,
to reap the advantages conferred bv labor
saving machinery, which their brains hav
created.
Seventeenth That it is the duty Of the Gov
eminent to establish just standard of distri
button to capital and labor BY providing pure
ly national circulating medium, based on tn
faith and resources Of the nation, issue,
directly to the people. without the interven
ton OF any system Of banking corporations
which money shall be a legal-tender in tn
payment Of all debts. public and private, an,
interchangeable at the option Of the holder 70
Government bonds, bearing rate of interes
not to exceed 2 65-l00 per cent, subject t
future legislation by Congress. ~