The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-02-12
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress
Adopted April 10. 1875.

HEREAS. Inc recent alarming develop
ment 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 to 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, 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
vino obey the Divine injunction thaG q" In
the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat thy
bread !" and
WHEKEls, 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 spper
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 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 . Just
share of the wealth they create more of
the leisure that rightly belong to them I;
more SECRETARY advantage; more Of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world in word, all those rights and privi-
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 aud financial condition. we demand
from the several States and from the National
Government the establishment Of Bureaus Of
Labor Stati- tlcs-
Fourth-The establishment Of cooperative
instit Itions, 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 81 unjust technicalitles. delays and
discriminate ms ia the administration Of JUS
tice. and the adoption of measures provld-
ing for the health aud 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 Gt least once in every month, in full,
for labor performed during the preceding
month, in the lawful money q 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 . 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 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-The prohibition of the impor-
tatlon OF All servlle races, ana tine disc0ntln-
uance 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.
Fifteenth-To abolish the system Of letting
by contract the labor Of convicts in our pris-
ons and reformatory institutions
Sixteeuth-To secure for both sexes equal
pay for equal work.
Seventeenth. The reduction of the hours of
labor to eight per day, 80 that the laborers
may have more time for social enjoy ment and
intellectual improvement, and be enabled to
reap the advantages conferred BY labor saving
machinery, which their brains have created
Eighteenth-To secure legislation provid.
ing for the assessment and collection Of mon
les required to prosecute wars from the
wealth Of the nation the principle that
II the government Possesses the right TO drast