The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-05-13
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April I6. Iss5.

WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop.
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead t.
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation Of
the tOiling Masses renders it imperative, il
we desire to enjoy the blessings u the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, and a sys-
tenn 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 effoI IL OF those
who obey the Divine injunction that " In
the Aeat 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 o. 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 &C
complished by the Industrial Congress
Frst-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 individ-
ual and national greatness
T.
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-
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 " ationaI
Government the establishment of Bureaus of
Labor Statistics
Fourth-The establishment of cooperative
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 Label the
Of unjust technicalitles, delays and
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 aud bnilding
pursuits.
Seventh-The enactment of law to CON-
,hnrk uaAn A.. n
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
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 q system Of public
markets to facilitate the exchange OF pro-
iucts of farmers and mechanics, tending to
10 away with mindlemen and spectators
Eleventh--ro inaugurate a system Of cheap |
to facilitate the exchange Of |
Twelfth-The substitution Of ARBITRATION |
or strikes, whenever and wherever employ
RS and employees are willing to meet ON equi-
able grounds.
Thirteenth prohibition of the impor-
alton of all servile races, and the discontin-
ance Of all subsidies granted to national
essels bringing them to our shores
Fourteenth-To advance the standard Of
american mechanics, BY the enactment and
Increment Of equitable apprentice laws
Fifteenth-To abolish the system Of letting
y contract the labor of convicts in our pris-
ms and reformatory institutions.
Sixteeuth-To secure for both sexes equal
ay for equal work.
Seventeenth. reduction of the hours of
'oor TO eight per day, 20 that the laborers
lay nave more time for social enjoy ment and
ltenectuai Improvement, and be enabled TO
zap the advantages conferred by labor saving
'1cnlnery, which their brains have created
n w secure legialation provid-
q Tor the assessment and collection q mon.
. required to prosecute wars from ths