The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-03-25
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress
Adopted April 10. 1875

W HEREAs. The recent alarming develop
Inent and aggression of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked will inevitably lead to
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation o.
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 a check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, and a sys-
TEN 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 masses for their substantial eleya alton,
yet we recognize in the ballot box the great
agency through which our wrongs can be re-
dressed aud
WHEREAS. While we fully recognize the
power and efficiency Of Trade and Labor
Unions, as now rgani4ed, in regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon all questions apper-
tanning to the welfare of the masses as a
whole, the influence Of these organizations,
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-
complished BY the Industrial Congress
First-To bring within the folds Of the or.
ganizatlon every department Of productive in.
dustry, making KNOWLEDGE a standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth the true standard Of indisid-
ual and national greatness.
Second-To secure to the toiers a lust
share Of the wealth they create more OF
the leisure that rightly belong to them /;
more SECRETARY advantage; more of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world in a word all those rights and privi-
Ieges necessary to make them capable Of en-
jOying, appreciatlng, defending and perpet-
uatlng the blessings Of our republican govern
ment.
Third-To arrive at the true condition Of
the producing masses III 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
Ter not another acre for railroads or spec
ulatOrs.
Sixth-The abrogatlon Of all laws that do
not bear equaN6 upon capital and labor the
removal Of unjust technicalities, delays and
determinations III 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 a law to CON.
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.
Elghth-The enactment Of law giving
mechanics and labOrers first lien on their
work and also preventing stays OF execution
in case Of labor lien judgments
Ninth-The adjustment OF the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-To Inaugurate 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 inaugurate system of cheap
to facilitate the exchange Of
Twelfth-The substitution of arIatrat,or
Tor strikes, whenever and wherever employ.
ers and employees are willing to meet on equi.
table grounds
Ihlrteenth-The prohibition of the impor
tation Of all servile races, and the discontin.
uance OF all subsidies granted to national
vessels bringing them to our shores
FouIteenth-To advance the standard of
American mechanics, BY the enactment and
OF equitable apprentice laws.
Frfteenth-To abolish the system Of letting
by contract the labor Of convicts in our briss
ons and reformatory institutions.
W.
pay for equal work
Seventeenth. The reduction Of the hours Of
labor to eight per day, so that the laborers
may have more time for social enjo, ment and
Improvement, and be enabled to
reap tne advantages conferred by labor-saving
which their brains have created
Eighteenth-TO secure legislation provid.
ing for the assessment and collection Of mon.
les required to prosecute wars from the
wealth Of the natiOn,-o the principle that
# the government possesses the right to draft