The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-06-20
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April 10. 1874.

DECLARATION or PRINCIPLES.

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
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 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
a. follows
WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
ehich, unless checked, will inevitably lead to
the pauperization and hopeless degradation of
the toiling masses, renders it imperative, if we
desire to enjoy the blessings Of the govern
ment bequeathed us by the founders Of the
Republic, that a check should be placed npon
its power and unjust accumulation, and a
system adopted which will secure to the Ia
borer the fruits of his toll and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unifica-
ton of labor, and the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine injunction that "In the
sweat of thy face thou shalt eat thy bread -
and
WHEREAS, The great disideratum 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 redressed I.
and
WHEREAS, While we fully recognize the
power and efficiency OF Trade and Labor
Unions, local and international, as now or
gained, in regulating purely trade matters,
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare Of the masses as a whole, the influence
Of these organizations, without closer union,
must prove comparatively futile; Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the people Of
the United States the objects sought to be &C.
complished by the Industrial Congress:
First-To bring within the folds of the or
ganizatiOn every department of productive in
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial merit and social worth
not wealth-the true standard of indiyid-
ual and national greatness.
Second-To secure to the toiler an equal
share of the wealth which he helps to create:
more of the leisure that rightly belongs to
him more SECRETARY advantages; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world; in word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make him capable of en-
Joying, approaching, defending and perpetu-
atlng 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 Nation.
al Government the establishment of Bureaus
of Labor Statistics.
Fourth-The establishment Of cooper alive
productive and distributive
Flfth-The reservirg of the public lands.
the heritage of the people, for the actual set
ers, and not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators.
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,
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 fuIH
for labor performed during the preceding
month, in the lawful money of the country.
Eighth-The enactment Of law giving
mechanics and lsb0rers first lien on their
works.
Ninth-The adjustment Of the contract
system on the national, State and municipal
work.
Tsnth-To inaugurate system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange Of the pro-
inctions of farmers and mechanics. tending
10 do away with middlemen and speculators
Eleventh-To mauqurate system of cheap
TO facilitate the exchange Of
Twelfth-The Substitution Of arbitration
Ior strikes, whenever and wherever employers
md employees are willing to meet ON equitable
grounds.