The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-03-06

OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April Ie. Issa.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
OF THE

WHKREAs. 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, as the embodi
meut 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
ut length, and we herewith present them for
the endorsement Of this meeting. They are
~ follows:
WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
nent 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, and sys-
TEN adopted which win 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 I'm
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
= -
ganized, in regulating purely trade matters,
yet upon all questions appertaining to their
welfare of the masses ~ q whole, the infiu.
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 bring within the folds Of the or
ganization every Departmental productive III
dustry, making knowledge a standpoint fol
action, and industrial merit and social wortl
no wealth the true standard Of individ
ual and national great ness.
Seeond-To secnre to the toiler an equal
share OF the wealth which he helps " create
more of the leasure that rightly belongs to
bin more SECRETARY advantage more Of the
benefits, privileges ard SAM. ,.nents of ti.-
world in a WORD, all hose CUTS and priv.
leges necessary to make him capable OF en-.
joying, appreci&ting, defending and perpet
uating 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 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 Get
lers, AID not another acre for railroads "
spectators.
SIxth-The abrogation OF ali laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, and
the adoption Of measures providing f0r 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 their
works.
Ninth The adjustment of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work
Tenth-TO inauguPate . system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange Of pro
ducts Of farmers and mechanics, tending 70
do away with mindlemen and spectators
Eleventh--To inaugurate q system of cheap
transportation, TO facilitate the exchange Of
commodities.
Twelfth The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever employ.
ers and employees are willing TO meet on equi.
table grounds.
Thirteenth-Th prohibition Of the impor-
tation of all servile races, the discontinuance
Of all subsidies granted to national vessels
bringing them to our shores, and the Abroga-
tlnn, or ut least, the modification Of the Bur
lingame Treaty.
Fourtsenth-To advance the standard ii
American mechanics. BY the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth To abolish the system Of con-
tracing the labor Of convicts In our prisons
and reforInatory institutions.
Sixteenth The reduction Of the hours Of
labor 10 eight per day, 70 that the Iaborers
intellectual improvement, and he enabled a.
reap the advantage oonfstrod by labor saving
machinery, which their brmlms have created
Seventeenth That il h ths duty II the
Government 70 establish q Just standard Of
to capital and labor by providing
. purely national circulating medium, based
ON the faith and resources Of the nation, in
sued directly 10 the people, without the In.
tervention Of any systsm Of banking corpo-
rations. which money shall be a legal tender
in the payment Of ali debts, public and pri-
Tate and interchangable at the option Of the
holder for Government bonds, bearing q rate
If interest not to exceed 05-IO0 per cent,
'ubject to future legislation by Congress.