Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-02-22
PLATFORM OF THE S. l.. P.

The Socialist Labor Party of the
United States, in convention assembled,
reasserts the inalienable right of oil
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 i'll 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 a 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 III common.
To the obvious fact that our despotic
I'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 wage-slavery, is even deprived
| of the neCesSaries of life.
Human power and natural forces are
thus wasted, that the plutocracy may
rule.
Ignorance aud misery with all their
| concomtant 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 system the s. l.. 2. once
| more enters it's protest. Once more it re-
! iterates its fundamental declaration that
| private property i'll the natural sources
| of production and in the Instruments of
| labor is the obvious cause of all eco
nomic servitude and political depend
/ enCe and
Whereas, the time is fast coming when,
| in the natural course of social evolu-
] Ia, "A
! 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
ReS0{ced 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 a 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.
/ .. The United States shall obtain pos
session of the railroads, canals, tele-
graphs, telephones, and all other means
of public transportation and communi-
| cation.
3. The municipalities to obtain posses
sion of the local railroads, ferries, water
works, gas works, ele' tic plants, ana
all industries requiring municipal fran
| Chises.
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.
| G. The United States to have the ex-
| elusive right to issue money.
! I. Congressional legislation proyidinC