The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-05-06
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April IS. 1875.

WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
meut and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation Of
the toiling Masses renders it imperative, if
we desire 20 enjoy the blessings Of the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders of the
Republic, that check should be placed upon
its power and unjust accumulation, and sys-
tenn adopted which Will secure to the laborer
the fruits Of has toll and
WHEREAS, This much desired object can
only be accomplished by the thorough unfit
cation of labor, and the united etfoi t. 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 III 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 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.
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 lust
share of the wealth they create more of
the leisure that rightly belong to them
more societary 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 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 atiohabs
Government the establishment Of Bureaus Of
Labor Stati. ties.
Fourth-The establishment Of cooperative
instit ltions, productive and distibutive.
Fiith-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
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 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.
Eghth-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 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 oheap
to facilitate the exchange Of
Twelfth-The substitution of arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever emplo,
srs and employees are willing TO meet on equi- |
table grounds.
Thirteenth-The prohibition Of the impor. |
tation Of all servile races, and the discontin. |
lance Of all subsidies granted to national
vessels bringing them to our shores.
Fourteenth-To advance the standard OF |
American mechanics, By the enactment and |
enforcement Of equitable apprentice laws.
Hfteenth-To abolish the system Of letting |
BY contract the labor Of convicts in our prs |
ms and reformatory institutions.
Sixteenth-To secure for both sexes equal
Day for equal work
Seventeenth reduction Of the hours Of
abor TO eight per day, so that the laborers
nay have more time for social enjoy ment and
ntehectuai Improvement, and be enabled to
cap the advantages conferred BY labor-say
which their brains have created
Eighteenth-To secure legislation proyid-
ng for the assessment and collection Of mon
rs required to prosecute wars from the