The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-12-30
LAIFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April I6. 1873

HEBEAS. Inc recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth.
which, unless checked. Vii. inevitably lead 10
The psuperizatIon aud hopeless degradation Of
the t1iiIug masses, renders IL imperative. If
we desire 10 enjoy the blessings It the gov
erment bequeatned us by the founders Of the
Republic, that check should W. placed upon
It's power and unjust accumulation. aud sys-
TEN adopted which Will secure 70 the laborer
the fruits III hIs toil and
WHEREAS. THIS much desired object can
only be accomplished BY the thorough unfit
cation Of labor SAD the united eifJi Il OF those
wGJ obey the Divine injunction that Z" In
the sweat ~ rhy face thou shalt eat TIM
bread > and
WHEREAS, The great deslderatum OF the
hour Is the organization and direction, by CO.
operative efforts, Of tine power Of the produc-
ing masses 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 ana Labor
Unions, as now organized, IN regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon All questions apper
tanning 70 the welfare VT the masses as a
whole, the influence OF these organizations.
without closer union, must prove compara-
lively futile Therefore
Resolved, That ne submit 10 the people Of
the United States the objects son. ht to De ac-
complished by the Industrial Congress
Flrst-Io bring within the folds OF the or
ganIzation every department OF productive IN
dustry, making knowledge a 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 toleis a Just
share OF the wealth they create more of
the leisure that rightly belong to them
more socletary advantage; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emolunents Of the
world in a 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 National
Gov eminent the establishment Of Bureaus Of
Labor Statistics.
Fourth-The establishment Of Co operative
institutions, productive and distubutiye.
Fifth-The reseTVing Of the public lands.
the heritage Of the people, for the actual set
Ter ; not another acre for railroads ~ spec
ulators
Sixth-The abroga.lou " All laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor the
removal Of unjust techncaities, DELAYS and
determinations in the administration IF ius-
tlce, AID 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-.
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 ard also preventing stays OF execution
in case of labor lien judgments
Nlnth-The adjustment of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Ienth-To lnaugurate q system ct public
markets TO facilitate the exchanse Of pro.
ducts OF farmers and mechanics, tending to
do away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh--ro inaugurate a System of CHEAP
to facilitate the exchange Of
commodities
Twolfth-The substitution OF arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever enploa .
ers and employees are willing to meet on eoni.
table grounds.
lmrteenth-Ihe prohibition Of the impor
tstion OF all servile races, and the discontin.
uance Of all subsidies granted TO national
vessels bringing them to cur shores.
Fourteenth-To advance the standard of
American mechanics, BY the enactment ana
enforcement Of equitable apprentice avs.
Fifteenth-To abolish the system az letting
by contract the labor OF convicts in our mrs.
ons and reformAtory institutions
Slxteenth--To secure for both sexes eonaI
pay foI equal work
Seventeenth reduction of the hours Of
labor TO eight per day. so that tie laborers
may have more time for social emo, rnent and
Intellectual Improvement, and lie enabled to
reap the advantages conferred by labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Eghteenth-To secure Legislation proyid |
ing foI the assessment and collection Il mon |
les required TO prosecute wars from the |
wealth Of the nation the principle that
4 the government possesses the right to d. eft |
the poor mans body for purposes Of national
defense, it has an equal right to appropriate |
the Fich mans accommodations undei the same I
oondItions and in order that srch debts As ,
hat which now Expresses The people, NAV
never again be entailed upon ourselves and
,ur postsrity.