New-York tribune., 1878-04-27


$4,000. Probably the numbers were not cxagger-
atcd. The avowed purpose of the gathering was
the preliminary organization OF new political
party: the notorious Jnstus Schwab put in an APP
pearance very early in the session, and accepted
rs the leader; and OH the Goth of December, in
open meeting the Congress unanimously voted to
change its title FROM" The Workngmen's Party /"
to that of the "Sociaistc Labor Party" Here was
a startiug-point from which new era dates.
The Newark Congress will become historical. 1t
is therefore proper to put ITS platform on record,
for purposes of future reference. Briefly stated, the
points Of that remarkable document are these:
l. Introduction Of legal work day of not more than
eight hours, and strict punishment OF all violations.
2 sanitary Inspection OF all conditions OF labor, means
of subsistence ard dwellings,. -
e The establishment OF bureaus Of labor statistics in
all states, Us well as by the National Government.
Tie officers of those bureaus shall be elected by the
4. Prohibition OF the employment Of children under
fourteen wears OF age In any industrial establishment
D. Prohibition Of the use Oi prison LABOR Dy private ell
g. compulsory education for all children under four
teen wears OF age all educational facilities to be fur
= strict laws making all employers responsible for in
rv 10 employees resulting from negligence OF employers.
\ strict laws requiring all wages TO be pald IN the law
fu money of the country ut intervals not exceeding one
o. Adjustment OF all compulsory laws tending to pre-
vent combinations Of workingnen 10 strike or induce
Others to strike. =,
10 Gratutous administration of justice in all courts
of law. =,
IL Adjustment OF all indirect taxation, and adoption
of "a graded income tax.
r. All banking and insurance TO be conducted by the
National Government.
49, Strict prohibition OF any laws limiting the right OF
male suffrage.
H. Introduction of direct popular legislation; the peO-
pie have the right TO adopt or reject all proposed law
H. system OF minority representation 10 De adopted
s soon as possible. .-.-
I6 The Senate to be abolished in all Legislatures and
the National Congress. ,, =,
IL All public officers be subject to prompt recall by
a direct vote of the people.
lS Prohibition of female labor in occupations injurious
TO health and morals the wages OF women TO DC equal
10 those OF men where the same labor is performed.
Sections l, o, 10, ~, Is and II of this platform
are shrewdly offset by other declarations which
would be generally accepted-and workingmen will
be asked to swallow the offensive six together with
all the rest The Communist is cross between
Machiavell and Ignatus Loyola.
Men have scoiied at the theory that political
marty can be organized out of the chaotic material
furnished by the Trade Unions Nevertheless, it has
been proved ~ that the International Society has
ambitious political projects in view; 2 that it is in
close afflation with the Trade Unions (3) that to-
day it virtually governs the whole Trade Union sys
TEN of this country (4l that attempts have been
made to exhibit the strength of the socalled Work
inamen's Tor Communist party at the polls, and