The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-01-02


WHEREAS The Mechanics and 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, m the embOdi-
meut Of their sentiments, believing that their
adoption would secure q more general diffu.
sion of wealth, and the disenthrAllment Of
labor, and
WHEREAS, such platform reflects our views
at length, and we herewith present them for
the endorsement Of this meeting. They are
Is follows
WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will Inevitably lead to
the paupeIization aud hopeless degradation Of
the toiling masses, renders it imperative, il
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 accumulated. and sys-
tenn adopted which Will secure TO the laborvr
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 In
the sweat Of thy face thou shalt eat thy
bread )" and
WHEREAS, The great desideratum Ut the
hour is the organization and direction, by CO.
operative efforts, Of the power Of the produc-
ing masses for their substantial elevation,
I yet we recognise in the ballot box the great
agency through which our wrongs can he re-
! dressed and
| WHEREAS. While we fully recognize the
power and efficiency Of Trade and Labor
| Unions, -local and international, SIS now or.
gained, in regulating purely trade matters,
I'd pOn all questions appertaining to their
1are of the masses a whole, the inhu-
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 40
complshed by the industrial Congress
First-To briug within the folds Of the or
ganization every Departmental productive in.
dustry. making knowledge . standpoint fol
action, and industrial merit and social worth
no wealth the true standard of individ.
ual and national greatness.
Second To secure 10 the toiler an equa
share Of the wealth which he helps to create
more Of the leasure that rightly belongs ID
him more SECRETARY advantage; more of the
benefits, privileges and emolumepts Of the
leges necessary to make hin capable Of en-.
joying, approaching, 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 Staff tics
Fourth-The establishment Of co-Opera0
instit ltions. productive and distributive. =
Fifth-The reserving Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for the actual yet.
lers, ard not another acre for railroads OF
spectators.
Sixth-The abrogatlon of all laws that do
not bear equally up N capital and labor, and
the adoption Of measures providing for the
health and safety Of those engaged in mining,
ssrsssSFS ~ p Pp.' 'as
pei chartered corporations to pay their EN-.
| ployes At least once in every month, in full,
for labor performed during Che preceding
month, in the lawful money Of vhe country
Eighth-The enactment of q 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 inaugurate a system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange Of pro
duets of farmers and mechanics, tending "a
do away with mindlemen and speculators
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 inpor-
tatiOn of all serVile races, the discontinuance
| of all subsidies granted to national vessels
bringing them to our shores and the sbroga-
ton, or at least, the modification Of the Bur
hngame Treaty.
FOurteenth-TO advance the standard of
American mechanics, BY the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws.
Flfteenth-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 to eight per day, so that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy ment and
intellectual improvCmrut, ami be rrabled to
reap the advantages conferred IN LABOR saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Seventeo uth-That it is the duty Of the
Government to establish q Just standard OF
distribution to capital and labor by providing
q 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 corpO-
rations, which money shall be legal tender
in the payment Of al debts, public and phi
vate, and interchangeable at the option Of the
holder for Government bonds, bearing . rate
Of interest not to exceed 65-l 100 per cent
subject to future legislation by Congress.