Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-01-04
PLATFORM OF THE S. l. P.
As Adopted by the Chicago COnyen.
tiOn, October IL, 1889.

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 in the enjoyment of this
right; but in the light of our social con-
dtions 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
eminent 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.
70 the obvious fact that our despotc
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 necessaries 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-
slavement of women and children.
Against such a system the S. l.. 2. 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 eco
monte servitude and political depend
ence and
Whereas, the time is fast coming when,
in the natural course of social evolu-
ton, this system, through the destruc-
tive action of its failures and crises on
the one hand, and the constructive ten
denotes of its trusts and other capital,
istic combinations on the other hand,
shall have worked out its own down
fall; therefore, be it
Resolved, that we call upon the PEG,
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 a view to
immediate improvement in the condi-
ton of Labor, we present the following
"Demands":
SOCIAL DEMANDS.
/, Reduction of the hours of labor in
proportion to the progress of production.
2. The United States shall obtain pos
session of the railroads, canals, tele-
graphs, telephones, and all other means
of public transportation and commune
cation.
3. The municipalities to obtain posses
sion of the local railroads, ferries, water
works, gas works, electric plants, and
all industries requiring municipal fran.
chses.
4. The public lands to be declared in
alienable. Revocation of all land grants
to corporations or individuals, the con.
ditions of which have not been com.
piled with.
5. Legal incorporation by the States
of local Trade Unions which have no
national organization.
8. The United States to have the ex.
elusive right to issue money.
Z. Congressional legislation providing
for the scientific management of forests
and waterways, and prohibiting the
waste of the natural resources of the
country.
s. Inventions to be free to ALL the
inventors to be remunerated by the
nation.
8. Progressive income tax and tax on
inheritances; the smaller incomes to be
exempt.
10. School education of all children
under IA years of age to be compulsory,
gratuitous, and accessible to all by pub.
lie assistance in meals, clothing, books,
etc, where necessary.
II. Repeal of all pauper, tramp, con
spiracy, and sumptuary laws. Una
bridged right of combination.
l2. Official statistics concerning the
condition of labor. Prohibition of the
employment of children of school age
and of the employment of female labor
| in occupatious detrimental To health or