The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1877-01-20
PLATFORM
OF THE
National Industrial Congress,
Adopted April Is. 1873

WHEREAS. The recent alarming develop
ment and aggression p aggregated wealth,
which, unless checked viii inevitably lead to
/ the pa izition aud hopeless degradation u
the toi masses, renders 1t imperative, il
We desire Co enjoy the blessings Of the gov
ermeut bequeathed us by the founders of the
/ Republic, that a check should be placed upon
| its power and unjust accumulation, aud a sys-
TEN adopted winch viii secure to the laborer
| the fruits If his toll and
Whereas, THIS much desired object can
| only be accomplished by the thorough unfit
cation of labor. and the united etfoI Is of those
/ who obey the Divine injunction that 8 In
| the sweat Of thy face thon shalt eat thy
/ bread r and
I WHEREts, The great desId, fatum 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 organi1ej. IN regulating purely
trade matters, yet upon all questions apper-
tanning 70 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
ganizatiou every department of productive in
dustry, making knowledge standpoint for
action, and industrial, moral and social worth
not wealth the true standard Of ndivid-
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 societaiy advantage; more of the
benefits, privileges and emoluments Of the
world ia a word, all those rights and privi-
leges necessary to make them capable Of en-
JOylng, appreciating, defending and perpet-
uatlng the blessings Of our republican govern
ment.
Third-To arrive at the true condition of
the prOducID 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 Sratl tics.
Fourth-The establishment of cooperative
instit Itions, productive and distnbutive.
Fifth-The reseryIng If the public lands,
the heritage of the people, for the actual set
Ter not another acre for railroads or spec
ulators
Sixth-The abrogatlon of all laws that do
not bear equally upon capital and labor, the
removal Of unjust technicalitles. DELAYS and
determinations in the administration Of JUS
tlce, and the adoption Of measures provid-
ing fur the health and safety Of those en-.
gagged IN mining, manufacturing and building
pursuits.
SeveRth-Ihe enactment of a 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.
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 hen judgments
Ninth-The adjustment Of the contract
system on the national, state and municipal
work.
Tenth-To inaugurate q system cf nublc
markets to facilitate the exchanA OF pro.
ducts of farmers and mechanics. tending IN
do away with nindlemen and spectators,
Eleventh-To inaugurate system Of cbeap
transpoI tatlon, to facilitate the exchange Of
commodities
Twelfth-The substitution OF arbitration
for strikes, whenever and wherever empIo,
ers and employees are willing to meet on eoui
table grounds.
Thirteenth-The prohibition of the impor-
tation Of all servile races, and the discontiD-
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 reformatoTy institutions
Slxteen'h-To secure for both sexes eoual
pay for equal work
Seventeenth. The reduction of the hours Of
labor to eight per day, so 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
Eghteenth-To secure legislation provid
ing for the assessment and collection Of mon
les required to prosecute wars from the
wealth OF the nation,-on the principle that
il the government possesses the right to draft
the poor mans body for purposes of national
defense, it has an equal right to appropriate
the rich mans accumulations under the same
conditions; and in order that srch debts a.
that which now Expresses the people. may
never again be entailed upon ourselves and
our pogterity.