The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-05-30
PLATFORM
pF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted tpriI 10. 1854

NuuaEt~. The Mechanics and Working
neu OF tHr uitel States. through their duly
authorized ann accredited representatives IL
National Convention assembled. after full anil
careful consideration. presented the follow my
Declaration ut Principles. the embodiment
ma thclr sentiments. believing that their
Adoption would secure more general dltlu-
-t.r uf wealth, and thu observation-disclosures Of
talbot. AMI
NWr.EN~, such platform reflects our view :
q. length, and We herewith present them for
thr endorsement ot this meeting. They are
a- follows:
NiEEENS. The recent alarming develop
meut and aggression vi aggregated wealth.
which, unless checked. viii inevitably lead to
the paupcrization ami hopeless degradation ii
tho tnlling masses. renders IL imperative. ii we
de~lrc {" enjoy the blessings Of the govern
m,ut hequeathed as ~ the founders ~ the
Republic, that check should he placed npon
its power and unjust accumulation. and q
system adopted which viii secure tu the la
horer The fruits Of his toll and
NnrEEAS This much desired ohicct can
"uly le accomplished hy the thorough uniiica-
t"u at Labor and the united efforts III these.
who obey the Divine injunction that In the
sweat ~ thy lace thou shalt cat thy bread p
ana
WHEREAS The great disrlcratum af the
hour Is the organization and direction. ~ e.
operative Efforts a. the power uf the rudur-
ng MASSES for their substantial ,.lc,at vet
we recognize IN the ballot -lpx the great agency
through which our wrongs can hc rrdrrssed f:
and
WHEREAS. While u, fully recognize the
power and efficiency IT Trade and Labor
ni"ns, local and International, A. now Or
gulcd, ~ regulating purely trade matters
yet apon all questions appertalnlug To- then
welfare ~ the masses a. a whole. the influence
~ these organizations. without closer union
must prove comparatively futile. Therefore
Resolved That we submit u the people of
the United states the objects sought :" be ac-
c"mplI~hctl ~ the Industrial Congress:
FIrsr IT, bring within the folds Of the or
gafiization every department of productive IL
dustry making knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial merit and social worth
not wealth the true standard 81 individ-
M, and national greatness
Second 70 secure to the tniler an equal
share 81 the wealth which he helps t. create:
more Of she leisure that righClv belongs to
INN more SECRETARY advantages; more of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world; IN a word, all those rights and priv
leges necessary t. make him capable Of en-
Ioymg approaching. defending and perpetu-
atlng the blessings Of Republican institutions.
Third To arrive at the true condition Of
the producing masses IN then educational,
moral and financial condition we demand
from the several States and from the Nation
a. Government the establishment Of Bureaus
of Labor Statistics
Fourth The establishment of cooper ative
institutions, productive aud distributive.
Firth Tie reserving Of the public lands
the heritage OF the people, for the actual set
iers, and not another acre 70 railroads or sI,,.
ulaturs.
sixth The abrogation of AL 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.
and building pursuits
Seventh The enactment Of a law to com
pel chartered corporations to pay their en-
plOyes at least once IN every month, ia full,
Tor labor performed during the preceding
month, IN the lawful money Of the country
Eighth The enactment Of Law giving
mechanics and laborers first lien their
works.
Ninth The adjustment Of the contract
system on the national, STATE and municipal
work
Tenth To inaugurate n system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange of the pro-
auctions Of farmers and mechanics tending
to do away with middemen and Spectators.
Eleventh-To maugurate a system Of cheap
transportation, to facilitate the exchange Of
Twelfth-1'he substitution Of arbitration
Tor strikes, whenever and wherever employers
and employees are willing to meet on equitable
grounds.