The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-01-08
PLATFORM
National Industrial Congress
Adopted April rs. 1875.
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
tine 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 he placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation. anda 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 unfit
cation Of labor, and the united efforts of those
who obey the Divine injunction that 4" 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 elevation
yet we recognize in the ballot box the great
agency through which our wrongs can be re-
dressed and
power and eibciency Of Trade and Labor
Unions, AS Row organized in regulating purely
ktrade matters, yet upon all questions apper-
tanning to the welfare Of the masses as
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 &C
complished by the Industrial Congress
| First-To 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.
Seeond-To secure to the toilers a Just
I Il Al III Al
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-
leges necessary to make them capable Of en-
| joyins, appreciatlng, 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
| Government the establishment Of Bureaus Of
| Labor Statistics
Fourth-The establishment Of cooperative
instit ltions, 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 abrogatIon 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 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
Thirteenth 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.
Fourteenth advance the standard OF
American mechanics, BY the enactment and
enforcement of equitable apprentice laws:
Fifteenth-To abolish the system of letting
by contract the labor Of convicts in our prs
ons and reformatory institutions.
Sixteeuth-To secure for both sexes equal
fo~ Il