The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
PLATFORM
National Industrial Congress,


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 Of the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that a check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, anda sys-
tenn 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
who obey the Divine injunction 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, as now organized, IN regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon all questions apper
tanning to the welfare Of the masses a
whole, the influence of these organizations.
without closer union, must prove compare
lively futile Therefore
Resolved, That we submit to the people Of
the United States the objects sought to be ac-
comphshed by the Industrial Congress
First-To bring within the folds Of the or
ganization every department of productive in.
dustry, making knowledge standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth. the true standard Of individ-
ual and national greatness.
Second-To secure to the toilers a Just
share of the wealth they create more Of
the leisure that rightly belong to them /;
more societary advantage; more OF the
benefits. privileges and emoluments of the
world in a word. all those rights and priv
Ieges necessary to make them capable of en-
joying, approaching, defending and perpet-
| uating the blessings of our republican govern
/ ment.
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 Of
| Labor Statistics.
Fourth-The establishment OF cooperative
| institutions, productive and distributive.
| FIfth-The reserying Of the public lands,
the heritage of the people, for the actual set
Ter not another acre for railroads OF spec
| ulators.
Sixth-The abrogatIon Of all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, the
removal Of unjust technicaities, delays and
determinations in the administration Of JUS
tlce, and the adoption Of measures provld.
ing for the health and safety OF those en-
gagged in mining, manufacturing and building
pursuits.
Seventh The enactment of a law to com.
pei chartered corporations to pay~their EN-
ployes at least once in every month, in full
for labor performed during thWmaasaedinl
month in the lawful money of ths
| Eighth-The enactment of aIaw n.
mechanics and laborers irst lien on -
work and also preventing STAYS Of eNstwd
in case of labor lien judgments
Nnth-The adjustment of the contrac
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth To inaugurate system OF publ
markets to facilitate the exchange of pro
duets of farmers and mechanics, tending t
do away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh inaugurate a system Of chea
transportation, to facilitate the exchange O
commodities
| Twelfth substitution Of arbitratio
for strikes, whenever and wherever employ
ers and employees are willing to meet on equi
, table grounds
Thirteenth prohibition Of the impor
tation of all servile races, and the discontn
uance of all subsidies granted to nationa
vessels bringing them to our shores.
Fourteenth advance the standard d
American mechanics, by the enactment an,
enforcement OF equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth-To abolish the system Of lettn
by contract the labor Of conyicts III our prls
ons and reiormatory institutions.
Sixteenth-To secure for both sexes equa
pay for equal work.
Seventeenth The reduction II the hours 0
labor to eight per day, so that the laborer
NAV have more time for social enjoy ment an,
ttllectual improvement. and be enabled t
reap the advantages conferred by labor savin,
| machinery which their brains have created
| Eighteenth-To secure legislation provid
ing for the assessment and collection Of mon
les required to prosecute wars from til,
wealth of the nation, ON the principle thai
if the government possesses the right to draft
the poor mans body for purposes Of nationa
defense, it has an equal right to appropriate
the rich mans accumulations under the same
conditions and In order that such debts as
that which now Expresses the people, may
never again be entailed upon ourselves and
our posterity.
Nineteenth-To prevent, by all lawful
| means. the practlce now ia vogue OF INVOKING
the aid OF the military whenever or where
ever The toiling masses refuse to submit to
| the arbitrary or unjust demands of aggregated
wealth or unprincipled employers which
the men enlisted as the nation defenders be.
come the nations oppressors.
| Twentieth establishing by Govern.
ment Of a Just standard OF distribution
to labor and capital, by providing a 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 corpor
atoms, 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 registered Government bonds, bear
ing rate Of interest not to exceed Is IOt
per cent, subject to future legislation by
Congress.