Workmen's advocate., 1889-12-07
PLATFORM OF THE s. L p.
As Adopted by the Chicago Conyen.
 ton. October 12, 1889.

tIOH. VclOHpT l-, lSNJ.
 The Socialist Labor Party of the United States, in convention assembled, reasserts the inaIienabe right of all men to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
 With the founders of the Ameri- can republic we hold that the pur- pose of government is to secure ev- cry citizen iii the enjoyment of this right but in the light of our social con ditions we hold, furthermore, that no such right can be exercised under sys- tenn of economic inequality, essentially destructive of life, of liberty, and of happiness.
 With the founders of this repub- lie we hold that the true theory of politics is that the machinery of gov ernment must be owned and controlled by the whole people; but in the light of our industrial development we hold. furthermore, that the true theory of economics is that the machinery of production must likewise belong to the people in common.
 To the obvious fact that our despOtic system of economics is the direct OppO- site of our democratic system of poll tics, can plainly be traced the existence of privileged class, the corruption of government by that class, the alienation of public property, public franchises and public functions to that class, and the abject dependence of the mightiest Of nations upon that class.
 Again, through the perversion of de- mocracy to the ends of plutocracy, labor is robbed of the wealth which it alone produces, is denied the means of self employment, and, by compulsory idle ness in wagesIavery, is even deprived | of the necessares of life
 Human power and natural forces are thus wasted, that the plutocraCy may rule.
 Ignorance and misery with all their concomitant evils are perpetuated, that the people may be kept in bondage.
 Science and invention are diverted from their humane purpose to the en- slayement of women and children.
 Against such asystem theS. L. r, once more enters its protest. Once more it re- iterates its fundamental declaration that private property in the natural sources of production and in the instruments of labor is the obvious cause of all ec0- homie servitude and political depend enCe; and
 Whereas, the time is fast coming when in the natural course of social evoiu- tiOn, this system, through the destruc- tive action of its failures and crises on the one hand, and the constructive ten dencies of its trusts and other capital istic combinations on the other hand, fall; therefore, be it ReSOlred that we call upon the peO- pie to organize with view to the sub stitution of the cooperative common wealth for the present state of plan, less production, industrial war and SO Cial disorder; commonwealth in which every worker shall have the free exer- else and full benefit of his faculties, multiplied by all the modern factors of civilization.
 We call upon them to unite with us in mighty effort to gain by all praC- tiCable means the political power.
 In the meantime, and with view to immediate improvement in the condi. tion of Labor, we present the following | "Demands":
 SOCIAL DEMANDS. 1. Reduction of the hours of labor in proportion to the progress of production. ,. The United States shall obtain pos | session of the railroads, canals, tele- graphs. telephones, and all other means of public transportation and communi- cation.
 ! ,. The municipalities to obtain posses sion of the local railroads, ferries, water works, gas works, electric plants ana all industries requiring municipal fran i chises.
 1. The public lands to be declared in- l alienable. Revocation of all land grants l to corporations or individuals, the con. i ditions of which have not been com piled with.
 , Legal incorporation by the States ] of local Trade Unions which have no national organization.
 6. Furthering of workmen's co-Opera tive productive associations by public credit; such associations to be preferred in the placing of contracts for public works.
 :. The United States to have the ex elusive right to issue money. s. Congressional legislation providing