The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-04-08
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress
Adopted April IS. 1875

| WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression Of aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked. will inevitably lead to
the pauperization aud hopeless degradation of
the tOIllng masses, renders it imperative, if
we desire to enjoy the blessings q the gov
erment bequeathed us by the founders of the
! Republic, that a check should lie placed upon
It's power and unjust accumulation, and svs-
/ 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 effol Is of those
who obey the Divine injunction that d" In
the sweat Of THY face thou shalt eat thy
bread :" aud
| WHEREAS, The great desideratum OF the
/ hour is the organization and direction, by co
operative efforts, VI 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-
I dressed and
WHEREAS, While We fully recognize the
power and efficiency of Trade aud Labor
Unions, as now q gani4ed, in regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon all questions apper
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 &C
cOmplished by the Industrial Congress
Flrst-Io bring within the folds OF the or
gaIilzatIOn every department of productive in.
dustry, making Knowledge a standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
hot wealth the true standard Of individ-
ual and national greatness
Second-fU secure to the toilers a lust
.ffN h.. ~
the leisure that rightly belong t. them !;
more SECRETARY advantage; more of the
benefits, privileges and emuiuments Of the
world in a word, all those rights and priv
legrs necessary to make them capable Of en-
Joying, approaching. defending and perpet-
uating the blessings Of our republican govern
ment.
Tbird-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 Statl- ties.
Fourth-The establishment Of cooperative
instit ltions, 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 of unjust teohnicalities. delays and
determinations IN the administration Of ius-
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 a law to com. i
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 |
sy stem on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-TO inaugurate system OF public
markets to facilitate the exchange of pro.
iucts OF farmers and mechanics, tending to
10 away with mindlemen and spectators.
Eleventh--To 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 eoui-
able grounds.
Thirteenth-The prohibition of the impor.
alton Of all servile races, and the discontin-
lance 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.
Slxteenth-TO secure for both sexes equal
ay for equal work.
Seventeenth reduction Of the hours Of ,
Aoor to eight per day, so that the laborers
nay have more time for social enjoy ment and
1tt llectual improvement, and be enabled to
cap the advantages conferred by labor saving
lachlnery, which their brains have created.
Elghteenth-TO secure legislation provid.
ig for the assessment and collection Of mon
y required to prosecute wars from the
'ealth Of the nation on the principle that G
the govern ment Possesses the riuht ~ d-.et +,