The workingman's advocate., 1875-03-20
PLATE'O RM-
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April ~, 1874
DECLARATION ~ PRINCIPLES.

DECLARATION ~ PRINCIPLES.
MufREAs. The Mechanics and Working
men ot the United States, through their duly
authorized and accredited representatives IN
National Convention assembled. after full and
careful consideration, presented the follow
inu Declaration of Principles rs the embodl-
neut of their sentiments, believing that their
adoption would secure more general ditlu
sion Of wealth, and the disenthrallment Of
labor. aud
WHEREAS, such platform reflects our views
at length, and We herewith present them for
the endorsement NJ this meeting. They are
az follows.
WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment ana aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation Of
the toihng masses, renders II Imperative, il
we desire to enjoy the blessings Of the gov
erment be,lueathed 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 laboref
the fruits of his toll and
WHFEEAs This much desired object can
only he accomplished by the thorough unfit
cation of labor, and the united efforts Of those
who obey the Divine injunction On that In
the sweat Of thy face thou shalt eat thy
bread . and
WHEREA~, The great leSideratum of the
hour i the organization and direction, by co-
operative efforts. Of the power Of the Produc-
ing masses for their substantial elevation.
Vet wr recognize in the ballot box the great
agency through which our wrongs can be re-
dressed and
.WnERxAs. While We fully recognize the
poM,~ and efficiency 81 Trade and Labor
/ Unions. local and International AS now or
gained. in regulating purely trade matters,
| yet upon All questions appertalnlng to their
welfare nf the m.s~es rs whole, the iniiu
/ ence ot these organizations, without closer
uulnn. must prove comparatively futile /;
/ Therefore
Y Resolved. That we submit tu the people Of
4 the United States the objects sought TO be &C
I complishcd by the Industrial Congress
Z First 10 briug within the folds of the o.
/ ganization every department of productive IN
dustrv. making knowledge a standpoint for
I action. and industrial merit aud social worth
no wealth. the true standard Of individ-
ull and national greatness
/ Second To secure to the tpller an equal
share " thc wealth which ne helps to create
more o. the leasure that Rightly belongs to
him more societary advantage morr Y the
benefits, privileges and emolum-nts Of the
world IA a word. all those .I1hts and priv
lege~ necessary to nlrAc him capable OF en-
l"vin- qpprc-.sstlng, defending and perpet-
dating he blessings "t republican institutions.
Ihird To arrive at the true ,ondI.iun Of
the producing masses ia their edu, atlOnal,
moral ana financial condition. We demand
from the -e,elal States aud from thu y atioual
Government the establishment Of bureaus 81
Labor Statistics.
Fourth-The establishment 81 cooperative
instit tions, productive and distnhutiS,.
Fifth The reserving Of the public lands,
the heritage of the people, fnr the actual ',t-
lers, and not another acre f"r railroads uf
spectators.
Sixth tn, abrugatIon of all Laws that H.
not bear equally upon ,apital and labor. and
the adoption Of measures providing for the
health and safety Of those engaged in mining
manufacturing and building pursuits.
Seveuth-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 their
works
Ninth-The abolishnent Of the contract
) stem 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 t.
10 away with mindlemen and speculators.
Eleventh 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-Th prohibition Of the impor-
taton Of all servile races, the discontinuance
OF all subsidies granted to national vessels
bringing them to our shores, and the abroga-
tIon. or at least, the modification of the Bur
lingane Treaty.
Fourteenth-To advance the standard Of
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 reformatory institutions.
Sixteenth.-The reduction Of the hours Of
labor t. eight per day, so that the laborcrs
NAV have more time for social enjoy ment and
intellectual improvement, and be enabled t.
reap the advantages conferred by labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Seventeenth That it is the duty Of the
Government to establish a Just standard Of
distribution 10 capital AMI laDor Dy providing
a purely national circulating medium, based
on the faith and resources Of the nation, is
sued directly to the people, without the in
tervention Of any system Of banking corpo-
rAtions, which money shall be legal tender
IN the payment Of all debts, public and pri-
vate, and andintcrchangable at the option of the
holdeg for Government bonds, bearing rate
OF interest not to exceed 65- 100 per cent,
subject 70 fntnre legislation by Congress.