The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-11-28
PLATFORM.
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April 10. ls5a.
DECLARATION or PRINCIPLES.
OF THE

WHEREAS The Mechanics and Working.
men Of the United States. through their dur
authorized and accredited representative q
National Convention assembled after full and
careful consideration, presented the follow
ing Declaration of Principles, a. the embodi
meut of their sentiments, believing that their
adoption would secure . more general diffu-
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 Thew are
as follows:
WBEREAs. The -.svnt alarming develop
men. 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 10 enjoy the blessings Of the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders Of the
Republic, that a check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, and a sys-
TEN adopted which wifi 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 = 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
vet 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 internatio nal, as now or
in raotlatinr Y,unal,y frada rnn%kar.
vet upon all questions appertainlng to their
welfare Of the masses as a whole, the inHu-
ence Of these organizations, without closer
union, must prove comparatively futile ;
Resolved, That we submit to the people Of
the United States the objects sought to be ac-
complished BY the Industrial Congress
First-To briug within the folds of the or.
ganization every Departmental productive in.
dustry, making knowledge q standpoint for
action, and industrial merit and social worth
no wealth the true standard of individ-
ual and national greatness.
Second-Tu secure to the toiler an equal
share Of the wealth which he helps to create
more Of the leasure that rightly belongs to
him more societaiy advantage more Of the
benefits, privileges and emOluments of the
world in a word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable of en-
joying, approaching, defending and perpet-
uating 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 National
Government the establishment Of Bureaus d
Labor Statis tics. -
Fourth-The establishment of co-opersfive
instit itions, productive and distributive.
Fifth-The reserving of the public Iaads,
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 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 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 Their
works
Ninth-The adjustment of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-To inaugurate system of public
markets to facilitate the exchange Of pro
ducts Of farmers and mechanics, tending to
do away with mindlemen and spectators
Eleventh--To inaugurate system of cheap
transportation, to facilitate the exchange o.
commodities.
Twelfth-The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employ.
ers and employees are willing to meet on equi
table grounds.
Thirteenth-The prohibition of the inpor.
tation Of all servile races, the discontinuance
of all subsidies granted to national vessels
bringing them to our shores, and the abrOga.
ton, or at least the modification of the Bur
lingame Treaty
Fourteenth-To advance the standard oil
American mechanics, by the enactment and
enforcement of equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth-To abolish the system OF con
tracing the labor Of convicts in our prison,
and reformatory institutions
Sixteenth.-T reduction Of the hours Of
labor to eight per day, so that the laborer,
may have more time for social enjoy ment and
intellectual improve ment, and be enabled Il
reap the advantages conferred by labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Seventeenth That it is the duty Of the
Government to establish just standard Of
dlstrDutlOn 70 capital anu lADOr Dy prOV0lns
purely national circulating medium, based
on the faith and resources Of the nstion, 10
sued directly to the people, without the in
PREVENTION 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 q rate
Of interest not to exceed 3 65-l0O per cent,
subject to future legislation by Congress.