The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-06-12
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April rs. 1873.
PLATFORM
Adopted April l6, 1873.


which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation Of
the toiling aasses, 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 he 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 a In
the sweat of thy fpce thou shalt eat thy
bread 7 aud
WHEREAS, The great desideratum of the
hour is the organization and direction, by Co
operative effo IT'S, Of the power Of the produc-
ing masses ( or their substantial elevation,
yet we recop nze in the ballot box the great
agency throu "a which our wrongs can be re-
dressed and
WHEREAS, While we fully recognize the
power and fficiency Of Trade and Labor
Unions, nov v organized, in regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon all questions apper-
tanning to the welfare Of the masses as
whole, the inf uence of these organizations,
without closer union, must prove compare
lively futile Therefore
Resolved, 1hA 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
ganizatioIl every department of productive in.
dustry, making know ledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth. the true standard Of individ-
ual an national greatness.
Seeond-To secure to the toilers a just
shars. OF the wealth they create more of
L.. l.. Ah~A r1uhk1xr halar.u m fharn
more SECRETARY advantage; more of the
beD efits, privileges and emoluments of the
world in a word, all those rights and prlvi-
leses necessary TO make them capable OF en-
joying, approaching, defending and perpet-
uating the blessings Of our republican govern
HIent
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 \ atiOnal
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 sbrogatiOn Of all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor. the
removal Of unjast technicahtIes, 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 a law giving
mechanics and labOrers first lien their
work and also preventing stays OF execution
in case of Labor lien judgments.
Ninth-1he adjustment of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-To inaugurAte system OF public
Dlarkets to facilitate the exchange of pro-
ducts OF farmers and mechanics, tending to
do away with mindiemen and spectators.
Eleventh To inaugurate q system of cheap
transportation, to facilitate the exchange Of
commodities.
Twelfth-The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, wbsnever and wherever employ
ers and employees are willing to raeet on equi-
table grounds.
Thirteenth-T prohibition of the impor-
tadon Of all servile races, and the discontin-
saSce of all subsidies granted to national
vessels bringing them to our shores.
Rourteenth-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
Slxteeuth-TO secure for both sexes equal
pay for equal work.
eventeenth.-The reduction of the hours OF
labor to eight per day, 30 that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy ment and
intellectual improvement and be enabled to
reap the advantages conferred by lsbOr-saving
machinery, which their brains have created.
Eighteenth secure legislation prOvid
ing for the assessI 0ent and collection of mon
les required Ia 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 hss an equal right TO appropriate
the rich mans AccamulatiOns under the same
conditions and in order that sreh debts 40
that which now Expresses the people, may
never again be entailed upon ourselves and
our pOsteriry
Nineteenkh-TO prevent, by all lawful
means, the practice now in vogue Of invoking
the aid Of the military whenever or where
ever the toling masses refuse to submit TO
the arbitrary or unjust demands of aggregated
wealth or unprincipled emplOye<s--by which
the men enlisted As the nations defenders be,
come the nations oppressors.
Twentieth-The establishing BY Govern
neut of q Just STANDARD Of distribution
30 labor and capital, by providing . purely
national circulating medium, based on
he faith and resou rces Of the nation, is
'ued directly to the people, without the in
teryention Of any sys tenn Of banking corpor- |
atoms, which money shall be legal tender
N the payment Of al debts, public ard pri-
rate, and interchAngable at the option Of the |
holder for registered Government bonds, bear |
ng . rate OF interest mot to exceed 3 65-lOO |
ConRreas