The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-12-09
PLATFORM
Of THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April Is. 1878

WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
rlent and aggression Of aggregated wealth
which, unless checked. Will inevitably lead t.
the paup-rizati1n aud hopeless degradation ~
the toiling Masses renders it imperative, If
we 8-- r. % enjoy the blessings Of the gov
rrmcn; b,4Ueathed US BY the founders Of the
E-Yuhhc. that s check should be placed upon
.ts poHrr AMI unjust accumulation, and sys-
TEN adopted which will secure to the laborer
the fruits q; ms toll and
NHtkEtS Ihis much desired object can
ouls lie scormplshed BY the thorough unfit
cation ": aror, aud the united erfoi tsof those
who obey the Divine injunction that = In
the sweat II Say face thou shalt eat thy
bread sd
NHEEsA-. Tie great desidera.um uf the
Eolr J. the r.-suizAtion and direction by CO.
ller. tlve efforts. Of the power Of the DrUduc-
- masses tyr their subst AntIal e.e' alton,
80 a. rycugaizc IA the ballot box ii great
agency Through which our wrongs o. be re-
dressed si
WHEsrt- While we fully recognize the
I-var 49, .ifriency ~ Trade add Labor
uIn~ w. wv W.. AIMED. IL regulating purely
Ir4i. --,t-'-- sct uIpf all questions apper-
-..tll- -- tne W,lfsr. OF the EiA-aes as a
= h.ie. ti. s.Au-ngr .; these organizations.
rItsoUt closer uLinn, must prov. cyupara-
vlve.y ,utii, Therefore
Resolved. That We submit t. the people of
the United states the objects sought t. be &C.
com. iI~iied Id the Industrial Congress
First T. bring within the folds Of the or.
ganIzatun every department. Of productive in.
dsstry, making knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth the true standard Of individ-
usl ard national greatness.
seaouG-To secure to the toilers inst
shan, ~ the wealth they create more of
the leisure that rightly belong to them
more sncietary advantage; more Of the
benefits. privileges and emoluments If the
world IA a word. all those rights and priyi-
leg-- necessary to make them capable OF en-
Toying, aPlreciatIng, defending and perpet
uatIng the blessings Of our republican govern
meut
Tird-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-The establishment OF cooperative
institutions, productive and distributive
Fifth-The reserving of the public lands,
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
ier ; not another acre for railroads or spec
Glators
Subtitle sbrogation OF all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, the
removal of unjust technicalitles, delays and
determinations in the administration of JUS
ice, and the adoption Of measures provid.
ing for the health and safety Of those Ell.
gagged in mining manufacturing ami building
pursuits.
Scyenth-The enactment OF Lave to com
pei chartered corporations to pay their en-
p!oyes at least once in every month, in full.
TOR 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 Of execution
n case OF labor lien judgments.
Nlnth-The adjustment OF the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
lenth-To inaugurate system &C public
markets to facilitate the exchansv Of pro
ducts Of farmers and mechanics, tending 10
do away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh--To inaugurAte a system of CHEAP
transportation, to facilitate the exchange Of
commodities.
Twelfth The substitution Of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever emplo,
ers and employees are willing to meet on equi-
table grounds.
Thlrteenth-The prohibition Of the impor.
tation OF all servile races, and the discontin
uAnoe OF all subsidies granted to national
vessels bringing them to our shores
Fourteenth-To advance the standard Of
American mechanics, By the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws.
FIfteonth-To abolish the system of letting
by contract .he labor of convicts in our pris.
ons and reformatory institutions.
Slxteenth-To secure for both sexes equal
pay for equal work
Seventeenth. The reduction OF the hours Of
labor to eight per day, 90 that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy mept and
Intellectual Improvement, and be enabled to
reap the advantages conferred by labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Eighteenth-To secure legislation provid |
ing Tor the assessment and collection Of mon |
les required 10 prosecute wars from the |
wealth q the nation,-on the principle that |
u the government possesses the right to draft |
the poor mans body for purposes Of national
defense, 1t has an equal right to appropriate |
the rlch mans accumulations under the same |
conditions and in order that such debts a. |
that which now Expresses the people, may
never again be entsiled upon ourselves and |
cur postsrity.