St. Paul daily globe., 1888-08-11
THIS is AN IRON-CLAD TEST
Organized Workmen Prepare Platform
Of Principles
FRIENDS OF LABOR TESTED.
Pledges for Candidates for Aldermen,
: Park Commission and Board Of
4 Education.

Minneapolis wOrkingmen for some time
have had in preparation platform of
principles applicable to local politics,
the idea being that only such as shall
bind themselves to the support of the
measures therein set forth shall receive
support. The platform which will put
some of the candidates who profess to
be friends of labor to the test was
adopted at meeting held about two
weeks ago, and is as follows:
- We. WOrkingmen of Minneapolis, recog-
n1zing the necessity for the adoption of
various reforms in the government of the
city, the schools and the park system of Min
neapolis, do hereby adopt the following
declaration of principles, to which we cheer
fully subscribe, and which we will expect
candidates for aldermen, park commission
ers and members of the board of education
VINO receive the support of the working
classes to fully indorse and pledge themselves
to uphold:
First-We demand the continuance of the
eight-hour system on all city work, and its
extension to all branches of industry.
Second-We demand the total abolition Of
tho contract system on all public works.
Thlrd-We demand that the aldermen of
the city of Minneapolis pledge themselves to
annul the franchise of the Street Railway
| company
Fourth-We declare ourselves unalterably
opposed to the granting of any franchises to
lnQlvlduals or corporations
F1fth-We demand that the salaries of city
officials be reduced to a point commensurate
with the rewards received by honest labor,
and We further demand that rigid economy
In the expenditures, to an extent which will
not interfere with the general welfare Of the
city.
Sixth-We are in favor of the establish
ment of system of making all appointments
solely on merit, and the engaging of all city
employees on the same basis: and we demand
the abolition of the present system of politi-
cal patronage which gives position of re-
sponsibility ana trust to Ward heelers'' and
bummers without reference to their ability
or fitness for the places they occupy.
Seventh-Believing that the maintenance
or a class of pets and privileged charac-
ters by the city is bad policy, and in
consistent with good government, we de-
mand that all city officials be compelled
TO work the same hours. and to give the
same diligence and attention to the duties of
their offices, as is eXacted by the city from its
day laborers, and that salaried officials be
not allowed extra pay for any work done or
services rendered during the regular work.
ing hours of any day in the year.
E1ghth-We condemn as wrong and be-
meath the dignity of good citizen 10 solicit
a nomination; therefore we pledge ourselves
not to support any person for office who
stoops to solicit votes to secure his nomina-
ton.
Ninth-We demand that every officer of the
city, county or state shall do his best to pre-
vent any session being held with doors
closed to the publc-secret sessions.
Tenth-We demand that the system now in
practice of pledging the faith of the city to
secure legislation to reimburse men, who
have advanced money for various schemes,
IN violation OF the city charter, shall be
abolished :,
Eleventh-We demand that when any city
0thcia! shall vacate his Office for any cause.
his salary shall cease at once; and that all
n off han rn6 f,,t@ nftx
treasury.
Twelflh-We demand of the board of edu-
cation: % Free text books i'll the public
| schools. (2) The establishment and main
tenance of high schools in the several locai-
ties of the city comprising from six 10 eight
common school districts. (3) That all bran hes
| useful and necessary to citizens in general
be taught in these high schools, and that no
branches shall be taught in the present
centrally located high school which are not
taught in the high schools sought to be estab-
I hshed; and that all pupils shall be restricted
to the high school assigned to their respect
i've districts.
Thirteenth-Holding, as we do, that our
[ public parks were built and ought to be main-
tanned for the sole benefit of the public at
large, and not for the benefit of a few specu-
lators. we demand that the city of Minneap-
| sQlif operate such a line of railway between
| the central parts OF the city and Lakes Cal
houn and Harriet as to enable all citiZens to
enjoy the benefits of our parks at the lowest
possible expense; that the city furnish pleas
lire boats in the lakes at price only sufficient
to pay the expenses of maintenance and re-
pair of said boats We also recommend the
| establishment OF free bathing houses in the
central parts of the city for use in winter. and
similar establishments at Lakes Calhoun and
Harriet during the summer months
Fourteenth-BelIeving the above declara-
tons to be of such character that no friend
of the cause of labor and no good citizen of
Minneapolis can refuse to give his adhe-
renee, we do hereby declare that we will not
support men for aldermen, park commission
erS or members of the board of education
who refuse to give them their support.