The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-01-15
PLATFORM
National Industrial Congress
Adopted April 10. 1878.
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 bequeSthed us by the founders If the
Republic, that a check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation. ands sys-
TEN 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 unit
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
WHEkE,s, The great desideratum of the
hour il the organization and direction, BY CO
operative efforts, of the power Of the produc
ing masses for their substantial elevation,
yet W. recognize in the ballot box the great
agency through which our wrongs car be re-
dressed and
WHkKEA>, While we fully recognize the
poweT and efficiency Of Trade and Labor
mons, ~ now organized, In regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon all questions Spper
tanning to the welfare Of the masses as
whole, the influence of these organizations,
without closer union, mast prove compare
lively futile Therefore
Resolved, That We submit to the people Of
the United States the objects sought to be &C
conplished by the Industrial Congress
First To bring within the foldssof the or
Kanizatlon every Departments Of productive ia.
dustry, making knowledge . standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth. the true standard Of individ-
uAl and national greatness
~a.auI II .a...,r. 80 81. ta,Ia~. ,,.at
share Of the wealth they create more Of
the leisure that rightly belong to them /;
more SECRETARY advantage; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emnluments Of the
world in q word all those rights and priv.
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 n ational
Government the establishment Of Bureaus Of
Labor Statistlcs.
Fourth-The establishment OF cooperative
instit Itions, 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 abrogatlon 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 q 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 on their
work Ani also preventing stays OF execution
in case Of labor lien Judgments.
Ninth-The abolishment of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work
Tenth-To inaugur3te . 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 inaagurate . system OF cheap
TRANSPORTATION, to facilitate the exchange 81
commodities.
Twelfth-The substitution Of ARBITRATION
for strikes, whenever and wherever emplo,
ers and employees are willing to meet on equi-
table grounds.
Thirteenth-The prohibition Of the impor-
tation Of all servile races, and the disconsin-
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
endorsement Of equitable Apprentices laws
Ffteenth-To abolish the system Of letting
by contract the labor Of convicts in our pris-
Ons and retormatory institutions.