The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-10-28
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress
Adopted April IS. 1873.

/ WHEREAS The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression of aggregated wealth
| which, unless checked, will inevitably lead t,
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation o
the toihng masses, renders it imperative, i
we desire tn enjoy the blessings Of the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders of tn,
| Republic, that a check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, and sys
tenn adopted which will secure to the laboreI
the fruits Of his toll and
! WHEREAS, This much desired object car
only be accomplished BY the thorough unfit
cation Of labor, and the united effoI Is Of thos,
who obey the Divine injunction that " Ii
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, yet upon all questions apper
tanning to the welfare Of the masses as q
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
Second-To secure to the toilers q Just
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 word, all those rights and priv.
leges necessary to make them capable OF en-.
joying, appreciating, 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 ational
Government the establishment Of Bureaus OF
Labor Statistics.
Fourth-The establishment Of co-operatiy e
instlt ltions, productive and distributive
F1fth-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 dc
not bear equally upon capital and labor, the
removal Of unjust technicalities, DELAYS and
determinations in the administration OF ms.
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 law 10 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.
Nlnth-The adjustment Of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-TO inaugurate system CT public
markets 70 facilitate the exchansU Of pro-
duets OF farmers and mechanics, tending to
do away with mindlemen and sDecuIato-s
Eleventh--To inauRurate a system az cha.r
transportation, to facilitate the EXCHANGE =;
commodities
Twelfth-The substitution of Arbitration,
tor strikes, whenever and wherever emnlo,
ers and employees are willing to meet on eou;-
table grounds -
Thirteenth-The prohibition Of the imnor.
tation OF all servile races, and the discontin.
u&nce OF all subsidies granted n natio,.l
vessels bringing them to our shores.
Fourteenth-To advance the Etsnd.rd of
American mechanics, BY the enactment And
endorsement OF equitable apprentices lava.