The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-01-30
PLATFORM.
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April IS. ISTl.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLEs.

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
MmEREAs The Mechanics aud Working
men Of the United States, through their duly
authorized and accredited representatives in
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 dlsenthralnent Of
labor, and
WHEREAS, such platform reflects our views
at length, and we herewith present them for
the endorsement Of this meeting They are
az follows
WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth.
which, unless checked, will Inevitably lead to
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation Of
the toiling masses, renders it imperative, if
we desire to enjoy the blessings q the gov
erment bequeathed us BY the founders Of the
Republic, that check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation. and sys-
TEN adopted which Will 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
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 subs Jantial elevation
yet 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 international. AS now OF
gained, in regulating purely trade matters,
yet upon all questions appertaining to Their
welfare of the masses a whole, the Infu.
ence 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 briug within the folds OF the or
ganization every department of productive in
dustry, making knowledge standpoint for
action, and industrial merit and social worth
no wealth the true standard OF mdivld.
ual and national greatness
| Second To secure to the tOiler an euual
share Of the wealth which he helps to create
more Of the leasure that rightly belongs Il
him more SECRETARY advantage more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments of the
world in a word all those rights and priv.
| 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 d
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 81
| Labor Stati,tics
FOurth-The establishment Of cooperative
lnstit utions, productive and distfibutive
Fifth-The reserving Of the public lands
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
| lers, aid not another acre TOR railroads 81
spectators.
SiSth-The abrogation OF all laws that dc
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 theiI
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 t,
do away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh--To inaugurate a system of eheal
| transportation, to facilitate the exchange o.
commodities.
Twelfth 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 impor
tstion Of all servile races, the discontinuanct
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 81
American mechanics, bS the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws.
Fifteenth To abolish the system OF con
tracing the labor Of convicts ia our prisons
and reformstory institutions
Sixteenth.-The reduction of the hours of
labor to eight per day, SO that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy ment and
intellectual improvement, and be enabled t.
reap the advantages conferred BY labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Seventeenth That it is the duty Of the
Government to establish a Just standard of
distribution to capital and labor by providing
purely national circulating medium, based
on the faith and resources Of The nation, is
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 pr
vate, and interchangeable at the option Of the
holder for Government bonds, bearing q rate
Of interest not TO exceed IS 100 per cent /,
subject to future legislation by Congress