The true northerner., 1877-08-17
THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
Platform of the WorkIngmen's Party OF
Ohio, Adopted at the State Convention in
Cincinnati.

Ohio, Adopted at the State Convention in
Cincinnati.
WHEREAS, Political liberty without economical
freedom is but an empty phrase, we repudiate
all political measures which do not directly
tend to the recognition of this principle; and
WHEREAS, The economical subjection of the
man Of labor to the monopolizer of the means
of labor, the source of life, lies at the bottom
OF servitude in all its forms, of all social mis-
| cries, mental degradation, and political depend
ence; therefore, we hold that the economical
emancipation of the working classes is the
great end to which every political movement
should be subordinate as n means, and we
hereby pledge the Workingmens party of the
United States in the State of Ohio to labor un-
ceasingly, not for class privileges and monopo-
| lies, but for the recognition of equal rights and
duties, and the abolition of all class rule.
ResOtUed, That the expectation of the per-
manent removal of the discomfort Of the peo-
pie by the punishment of its manifestation,
| while leaving untouched the injustice and op-
preston out of which such discomfort must in
evitably grow, is an exhibition of ignorance of
the natural laws of life only equaled by the
fruitless efforts heretofore made by the work.
| ingmen to secure their economical emancpa-
| ton by a guerrilla warfare against individual
employers, while politically upholding system
which made their combined dependence certain
and absolute.
Resolced, That believing as we do that only
through the widest liberty of discussion can the
people qualify themselves for the high duties
of citizenship, and that the attempt at any
abridgement OF free speech or a free press is a
most fruitful cause of public disorder, we ac-
cord 10 our opponents the same protection for
| their utterances that we demand for ourselves,
and ask the people of Ohio at the coming cleo
| ton to administer rebuke which shall be as
| lasting as it is deserved to the unwarrantable
interference with these re served rights during
the late railway troubles at Chicago and other
places.
Resolced, That we will seek to accomplish
the purposes which we here avow through the
peaceful methods guaranteed to us by the con-
stitutiOn of our country.
ResolUed, That in the coming political cam
| paign we invite the cooperation of all voters
who believe that to the laborer justly and of
right belongs the results of his labor, in the
following demands
1. The payment Of wages to the laborer in
the lawful money of the country, and at inter-
walls of time not greater than one week. and
that suitable penalties be provided for failures
| to do so.
q Eight hours for the present as a normal
working day, and legal punishment of all vio-
lators.
8. Strict laws making employers liable for all
accidents to the injury of the employees.
4. ProhibitOry laws against the employment
Of children under ii years of age in the indus
trial establishments.
D. ADOutlOn OF all conspiracy laws.
g. Prohibition of the use of prison labor by
private employers.
7. Gratiitous administration of justice in all
courts of law.
g. Sanitary inspection of all conditions OF
labor, means of subsistence and dwellings in
cluded.
8. Gratuitous instruction in all educational
institutions.
TO- Labor statistics in all States, as well as
by the National Government, the officers OF
these bureaus to be taken from the ranks of the
labor organizations and elected by them.
IL. The repeal of the patent and all othe,
laws, or privileges to individuals or companies
to the detriment of labor.
10. The repeal of all tariff and other acts
which provide for the collection of the public
revenue by indirect method, and the substitu
ton therefor of system of direct taxation
guaranteed in proportion to the amount o.
property or income to be taxed.
-. Railroads, telegraphs, and all means o
transportation to be controlled by the Govern
ment for the purpose of abolishing the wage
system.
: IA. All industrial enterprises to be place.
under the control of the Government as fast a
practicable, and operated by free co-operativ
unions for the good of the whole people.