The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-01-31

Most of the trades represented in the Work
ingmeu's Central CoufciI of Chicago nave
acouiesced ia the following platform;
Whereas The recent alarming develop,
ment and aggression of the aggregated
wealth which unless checked viii inevitably
lead as it has done to pduperiZation and de
graduation of the tolling masses, renders it i'm
peratipe, if we wish to enjoy the blessing OF
the government bequcathed us by the fathers
of thls great republic, 'tNtat check should be
placed upon its power'hnd unjust accumula-
tom, and system add ted which will secure
to the laborcr the fruits of his toll and
Whereas, This much desired object can on.
ly be accomplished by the thorough unitica.
ton of labor and the efforts of those who
obey the divine injunction that in the sweat
of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread; and
| Whereas, While we recognize IN the ballot
box an agency by which these wrongs can be
redressed when other means fail, yet the
great desideraum of the hour Is the organi-
cation, consolidation and cooperation to pro-
duce the effort of the working classes, and rs
stepping.stone to that education which will
lead in the future to more advanced action
before necessary reforms can be obtained :
and
Whereas, We fully recognize the power
and efficiency of trade and labor unions, 10.
cal and International, as now organized, in
regulating purely trade matters, yet upon all
questions, appcrtaining TO their welfare as 4
whole the influence of those organizations
with a closer union must prove comparative
ly futile;
Therefore, 1t is proposed TO state to the
people comprising the various trade organl,
cations the objects sought to be accomplised
by this platform.
First-To bring within the fold of the or
ganization every department of productive
industry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action, aud industrial, moral and social
worth, and not wealth, the true standard OF
individual and national greatness.
Second-To secure the toiler an equal share
of the wealth which he helps to create, more
of the leisure that rigidly belongs to him,
more SECRETARY advantages, more of the bene-
fits privileges and emoluments of the world
in a word, all those rights and privileges
that make him capable of enjoying and
defending the blessings nj republican ins,ltu-
tons.
Third-To arrive at the true condition Of
the producing masses i'll their educational,
moral and financial condition, we demand
from the nation the establishment of bu-
reau of statistics.
| Fourth-The establishment of cooperative
lHStltullOllS, pIcuuSs!Nt anu uioti ioo'i'S'
| Fitth-The reserving of public land-the
heritage of the people-foI the actual settlers,
and not another acre for railway spccula-
| tons.
| SiYth-The abrogation of all laws that do
not bear upon all labor and capital equally
and by the adoption of measures providing
| for the health and safely Of those engaged
in mining, manufacturing, or building pur,
suits.
Seventh-The substitution of arbitration for
"strikes" whenever and wherever the employ.
ers and employees are willing to meet on
equitable grounds.
| Eighth--The prohibition of the impora-
ton of all servile races, the dlscontinuance
of all subsidies granted TO national vessels
bringing them to our shores, and the .modlh-
cation Of the Burlingame treaty.
| Ninth-To advance the standard Of Amer
lean mechanics by the enforcement OF eqult-
able apprentice laws.
| Tenth--To abolish the contract system in
the prisons and refermatory institutions
i Eleventh-The reduction of the hours OF
labor to eight per day, so that the laborers
may be able to reap the advantages conferred
by the labor.savng machinery which their
Brains have created
Twelfth-The providing of purely nation
IA circulating medium based upon the re-
sources OF the nation and issued directly TO
| the people, so instituted as to constitute Il
| circulating medium of the greatest ileXibili-
| tlv, and receivable for all demands public and
| private.