The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-11-13
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April 10. ls7s.
OF THE

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 Of the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that check should he placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, and a 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 " 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 ac-
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 q Just
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 a word, all those rights and privi-
leges 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 reserving of the public lands,
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
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 a law to COM
pei chartered corporations to pay their en-
IL r m
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 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-
ducts of farmers and mechanics, tending to
do away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh--To inaugurate 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-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
enforcement of equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth-To abolish the system of letting
by contract the labor Of convicts in our pris-
ons and reformatory institutions.
Sixteenth-To secure for both sexes equal
pay for equal work.
Seventeenth reduction of the hours of
labor to eight per day, so that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy ment and
int llectual improvement, and be enabled to
reap the advantages conferred by labor-saving
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 the
wealth of the nation,-on the principle that
if the government possesses the right to draft |
the poor mans body for purposes of national
defense, it has an equal right to appropriate |
the rich mans accumulations under the same |
conditions and in order that srch 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 practice now in 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-by which
the men enlisted as the nations defenders be-
come the nations oppressors.
Twentieth-The establishing by Govern
ment of a just standard Of distribution
to labor and capital, 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 corpor-
ations, 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 8 65-lOO
per cent, subject to future legislation by