The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-09-25
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,


ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead t.
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
it's power and unjust accumulation, and sys-
tenn adopted which will secure to the laborer
the fruits of hls 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 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, tile influence Of these orga izations,
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-
comPhshed by the Industrial Congress
First-To bring within the folds of the or
ganizatIon every Department. Of productive in.
dustry, making knowledge 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 a lust
| a IA ~
the leisure that rightly belong to them ;
more socletary advantage; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world III a word. all those rights and prlvi-
leges necessary to make them capable Of en-
| joying, approaching defending and perpet-
uatlng the blessings of our republican govern
| meut.
| 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-'rhe establishment Of cooperative
insfit ltions, productive and iistributlve
Fifth The reserving Of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
| Ter not another acre for railroads on spec
ulators.
Sixth-The abrogatIon OF all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, the
removal Of unjust trchnicahtles 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-
pluyes 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 on Their
work and also preventing STAYS 81 execution
in OF labor lien Judgments
| NInth-The adjustment OF the contract
system ON the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth To inaugurate a system % public
markets to facilitate the exchange uf pro
duets of farmers and mechanics, tending t.
DO away with mindlemen and spectators
Eleventh To inaugurate system Of CHEAP
| transportation, to facilitate the exchange N
| 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 dlscontin-
uance of all subsidies granted to national
| vessels bringing them 70 our shores.
Fourteenth To advance the standard OF
| American mechanics, Us the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws.
Fifteenth To abolish the system Of letting
by contract the labor Of convicts Ia our prs
ons and reformatory Institutions.
Sixteenth To secure for both sexes equal
pay for equal work
Seventeenth THE reduction Of the hours OF
labor 60 eight per day, that the laborers
may have more time for social enjo, ment and
int, lectual improvement, and be enabled t.
reap the advantages conferred BY labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Eighteenth 10 secure legislation provid-
| ing for the assessment and collection Of mon
| les required t. prosecute wars from the
| wealth of the natIon.-un the principle that
| II the government possesses the night TO draft
the poor mans body for purposes of national
defense, it has an equal right to appropriate
| the rich mans accumulatIuns under the same
conditions and in order that srch debts as
that which now Expresses the people may
never again lie entaled upon ourselves and
our posterlty.
| Nineteenth-To prevent by all lawful
means, the practice now IN vogue Of invoking
the aid II the military whenever Or where
ever the toillEg 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 nation oppressnrs.
| Twentieth The establishing BY Govern
n,ent Of Just standard Of distribution
to labor and capital, 10y providing a purely
national circulating medium, based on
the faith and resources of The nation, is
sued directly to the people, without the H.
PREVENTION Of any system Of banking corpor-
atoms, which money shall he legal tender
m the payment Of all debts, public aud pri-
yate, and interchangeable at the option Of the
holder for registered Government bonds. bear
ing rate Of interest not to exceed ; 65- 100
| per cent, subject to future legislation w
| Congress