The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-03-04
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress
Adopted April IS. 1875.

| " HEkEAs. lhe recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked will inevitably lead to
the pauperzation aud hopeless degradation Of
the 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 lie placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation and a sys-
TEN adopted which will secure to the laborer
the fruits Of his toll and
| WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only he 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 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 and Labor
Unions, as now organized, in regulating purely
trade matters, vet upon all questions apper-
tanning to the fare Of the masses as a
whole, the inhu, ace of these organizations
without closer union, must prove compare
lively futile Therefore
Resolved, That 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 OF.
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 toilers 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 emuluments of the
world IN a word, all those rights and priv
leges necessary to make them capable Of en-
loying, 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
Government the establishment of Bureaus OF
Labor Stati- tics
Fourth-The establishment of cooperative
iBstit tions, 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.
not bear equally upon capital and labor, the
removal Of unjust technicalities, delays and
determinations in the administration Of JUS
tlce, 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 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.
Nnth-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 inaugurate system Of cheap
TO facilitate the exchange Of
commodities
Twelfth -The substitution of arhstrat1or
Tor strikes, whenever and wherever emplo =
ers and employees are willing to meet on eaui.
table grounds.
Ihirteenth-The prohibition Of the impor-
tation OF all servile races, and the discontin-
nance q all subsidies granted to national |
vessels bringing them to our shores
Fourteenth-To advance the standard Of
American mechanics, bs the enactment and
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws
FHteenth-ro abolish the system Of Letting
by contract the labor Of convicts in our pris-
ons and reformatory Institutions
Sixteenth-To secure for both sexes equal
pay for equal work. ~
Seventeenth. The reduction Of the hours If
ADor TO eight per day, 50 that the laLorers
may have more time for social EMO, ment and
Intellectual Improvement, and be enabled ~
cap the advantages conferred by labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
E,ghteenth-To secure Legislation proyid-
ng for the assessment and collection i mon.
es required to prosecute wars from the
:. e "a u 'ne hati"".-on the principle that