Morning journal and courier., 1886-06-17
VIEWS OF THE TURNERBUND
On The Labor Question A n d The Insti
 fufianH af slHr C.>untrE

tutiOns of our Country.
 BOSTON, June 16.-At the fourth days session of the North American Turnerbund to-day, the labor question discussed at considerable length and it was finally decided in favor of shortening of the working day for the industrial laborers of America, leav- ing the exact length of the day for decision by those concerned. The conve ntion resolved that children under fourteen years of age should not be allowed to work in factories The plntform of the Bund was constituted and amended follows: The sovereignty of the people is inalienabIe and cannot either in legislative executive methods be trans ferred to the peoples representatives deputies. As everything is done for the people so everything must be done through the people. Therefore it is the duty of the people to secure the direct and continual responsibility of those whom they trust with the protection of their interests. The people have the right to remove its servants for neglect of duty and to take such measures as may be needed to guard against abuses of power. They must also reserve to themselves the right of making proposals and conferring laws pass ed by their legislators Complicated meth ods of representation and artificial distribu- tion of power borrowed from the State sys- tens of the old world are injurious obsts- cles in the way of true democracy and are calculated to promote reactionary tendencies. The people need for their legislative and ad- ministrative activity single chamber only, composed of responsible deputies who may be recalled and who shall cause their decis- ion to be carried into effect by means of an administrative commission chosen from the who,e people and directly responsible to them. The Senate and the presidential of tions and should as undemocratic and unrepublican be abolished. The right of the single State to make laws or regulations contrary to the spirit of the constitution, such for example as those relative to the freedom of the press, to religious matters and for the right of public meeting, must be wholly withdrawn. As suitable means for removing poverty and for ameliorating the social conditions are in favor of protect ing labor, of carrying out a thorough super vision over articles of food and dwelling houses, of shortening hours in factories in
 
 all further grants of land and all sales of land to individuals and to corporations; the public lands must remain indirectly in the possession Of the peo- pie and only be tranferred to genuine agricul- turalists under proper conditions limiting its use. It is indispensable that education be provided for from the public purse for those without resources in schools supported either by the State or municipality. It is decided that carry on an energetic agita- tion aiming at the introduction of the German system in the public schools of the country as we'll as the schools of all sectarian influences. We are in favor of progressive income and property tax with immunity from taxation of the minimum sum necessary for the support of the family; of fundamental judicial reforms; of the aboh- tion of all indirect taxation and handing over to the State all means of communication ex- isting for the general welfare, including rail- roads, telegraphs, etc. The remainder of the platform deals largely with the subject of religious liberty, opposing the freedom of church property from taxation, the appointment of chaplains for Congresses and the legislature, the army and fleet. etc., the appointment of religious observances by the President and the Governors of States; the oath of the Bible or in any other way of a religious character and the imprinting of religious notices on coin or public docu- ments.
 Dr. SharklOu, or St. LOulS, moved bne following: Every attempt to limit the immigration of the Chinese into this eoun- try is repulsive to all free and lofty institutions and thus dangerous and ought under every circumstance to be avoid ed. But the immigration Of Chinese known as coolie importation can only bring injury to the working population of this country and must threaten our public institutions.
 Resolved, That we strike with all our might to put an end 10 the said immi- grafton and to aid in tie passage of the laws necessary to carry our views into effect. The resolution was carried without opposi- tion. It was decided to postpone until the next convention consideration of proposed stipend in the German n-A American seminary The convention voted ss,000 for the use of the smaller unions and decided to have the next festival of the Bund in Cincinnati in 1889. The convention then adjourned after passing the usual vote of thanks This after noon by invitation of the city government the delegates enjoyed steamboat ride down the harbor and tonight attended special concert in Music Hall