The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-26
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,


WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to
the pauperlzatiOn 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, and 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
cation of labor, and the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine injunction that 4" 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.
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, as now organized in regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon all questions apper-
tanning to the welfare Of the masses as 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 &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, moral and social worth
not wealth the true standard Of individ-
ual and national greatness.
Second-TO secure to the toilers a lust
share of the wealth they create more of
the leisure that rightly belong to them !;
more SECRETARY advantage; more of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments of the
world in q word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make them capable Of en-
joying, appreciating, 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 reserving of the public lands.
the heritage of the people, for the actual set
Ter not another acre for railroads OF spec
ulators.
Sixth-The abrogatlOn 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
tice, and the adoption of measures provid-
ing for the health and safety of those EN-.
gagged 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 their
work and also preventing stays OF execution
in case of labor hen judgments.
Ninth-The adjustment of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work
Tenth-To iRaugurate q system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange Of pro-
ducts Of farmers and mechanics, tending to
do away with mindlemen and spectators
Eleventh--TO inaugurate a system of cheap
to facilitate the exchange of
Twelfth-The 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-
tation Of all servile races, and the discontin-
uance of all subsidies granted to national
vessels bringing them to our shores.
FOurteenth-To advance the standard of
American mechanics, by the enactment and
Of equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth-To abolish the system Of letting
by contract the labor OF convicts in our pris-
Dns and reformatOry institutions.
Sixteeuth-To secure for both sexes equal |
pay for equal work.
Seventeenth. -The reduction of the hours of
abor to eight per day, so that the laborers |
nay have more time for social enjoy ment and |
Intellectual improvement, and be enabled to |
.eap the advantages conferred by labor saving |
which their brains have created.
Eighteenth-To secure legislation provid-
ng for the assessment and collection of mon
es required to prosecute wars from the
wealth Of the nation,-On the principle that
{ the government possesses the right to draft
he poor mans body for purposes of national
License, it has an equal right to appropriate
he rich mans accommodations under the same
conditions and in order that srch debts as
hat which now Expresses the people, may
ever again be entailed upon ourselves and
ur pOsterity.
Nineteenth-To prevent, by all lawful
means, the practice now in vogue of invoking
he aid Of the military whenever or where
yer the toiing masses refuse to submit to
he arbitrary or unjust demands Of aggregated
'ealth or unprincipled employers-by which
he men enlisted a. the nation 8 defenders be-
Dme the nations Oppressors
Twentisth-The establishing by Govern
rent OF just standard Of distribution
labor and capital, by providing a purely
atIonai circulating medium, based on
he faith and resources of the nation, is
led directly 70 the people, without the in
'rvention of any system Of banking corner.
Mons, which money shall be legal tender
the payment OF al debts, public and pri- ]
Ite, and interchangeable At the option of the
,ldsr for registered GOvsrnmsn. bonds. bear
g . rate OF interest," not to exceed 3 65- 100
n cent, subject to future Legislation by ,
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