The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-10-09
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April 10, 1873.

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 tollng 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-
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, aud 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 desideratum Of the
hour Is the organization and direction, by CO.
operative efforts, of the power OF the produc-
iug 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
rradc 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 ac-
compished by the Industrial Congress
FIrst-To bring within the folds Of the or.
ganzation every department Of productive in
dustry, making knowledge standpoint for
action, aud industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth the true standard of indiyid-
ual and national greatness.
Second-To secure to the toilers a lust
share III the wealth they create more If
the leisure that rightly belong to them ,
more socctary advantage; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments of the
world IN a word all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make them capable of en-
loying, approaching, defending and perpet
nat,ng the blessings Of our republican govern
hent.
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 y National
Government the establishment of Bureaus of
Labor Statistics.
Fourth The establishment OF cooperative
insrit ltIons, productive and distributive
the heritage Of the people for the actual set
Ter not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators.
Sixth The abrogatIon OF all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, the
removal of unjust technicalities, delays and
discriminate ms IN the administration of JUS
tice, and the adopt on Of measures provId-
ing for the health md safety Of those en-.
gagged in mining, manufacturing and building
pu suits.
Seyenth-The enactment OF law to com
pei chartered corporations to pay their EN-
plov-s 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 a law giving
mechanics and lahorers first lien on Their
work and also preventing STAYS OF execution
IN case 81 labor lien judgments.
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
duets Of farmers and mechanics, tending to
a. away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh To inaugurate a system II cheap
transportation, to facilitate the exchange oi
commodities.
Twelfth -The substitution OF arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employ
rrs and employees are willing to meet on equi-
table grounds.
Thirteenth The prohibition Of the lmpor-
tatlun 81 all servile races. and the discontin-
uauce Of All subsidies granted to national
vessels bringing them to our shores
Fourteenth advance the standard Of
American mechanics, by the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws.
Ffteenth-Gu abolish the system Of letting
by contract the labor of convIstS III our pris-
ons and reformatory institutions
SIxUeeuth-To secure for both SEXES equal
pay for equal work.
Seventeenth. tn, reduction ~ the hours OF
labor IL sight Per day 81 that the laborers
may have more time Tor social emo, ment and
intellectual improve mcut. and be enabled to
reap the advantages conferred by labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Eighteenth secure legislation provid-
ing fDr the assessment and collection uf mon
Ies required " prosecute wars from the
wealth the nation, ON the principle that
Il the err ment possesses the right To draft
the poor mans body for purposes Of national
defense, it has an equal right to appropriate
the rich man accumulations under the same
conditions and IN order that such debts as
tHhl "HtNh INV 'ppiSSStS tht icoplts MAY
never again be entaIled upon ourselves and
our posrerIty.
Ninetoenth-To prevent, ~ all lawful
means, the practice now IN vogue III invoking
the aId Of the military whenever or where
ever the tuIlIng masses refuse to submit to
the arbitrary or unjust demands of aggregated
wealth or unprlncipled employers by which
the men enlisted the nation defenders be
come the nation oppressors.
Twentieth The establishing by Govern
ment % a Just standard Of distribution
! @ ranor and capital, by providing a purely
national circulating medium, based Of
| the faith and resources of the nation, is
sued directly to the people, without the in
terventlon Of any system of banking corpOr
atoms, which money shall be legal tende
( n the payment Of all debts, public and pr
vate. and interchangeable at the option Of tn
holder tor registered Government bonds, bear
| ing a rate Of interest not to exceed 5-lOl
per cent, subject to future legislation ~
| Congress.
Declaration of Principles