Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-02-15
PLATFORM OF THE S. l.. p.

The Socialist Labor Party of the
United States, in convention assembled,
reasserts the inalienable 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-
dltions we hold, furthermore, that no
such right can be exercised under a sys-
TEN 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 Ill 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 AFFECT 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 Ill wage slavery is even deprived
OF the necessarles Of life.
Human power and natural forces are
thus wasted, that the plutocracy may
rule.
Ignorance and misery with all their
conComltant 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. p. once
more enters its protest. Once more it re-
lterates Its fundamental declaration that
private property in the natural sources
of production and in the Instruments of
labor is thu 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-
tion, this system, through the destruC.
tive action of its failures and crises on
the one hand, and the constructive oen-
denCles OF Its trusts and other capital
lSUc combinations on the other hand,
shall have worked out its own down |
fall; therefore, be it
Re$0ired, that we call upon the peo. |
pile to organize with view to the sub.
of the cooperative common |
wealth for the present state of plan. |
less production, industrial war and so. |
rlal disorder; commonwealth in which |
every worker shall have the free exer-
else and full benefit of his faculties,
10y all the modern factors of |
civilization.
We call upon them to unite with us
N mighty effort to gain by all prac-
-icable means the political power.
In the meantime, and with a view to |
Improvement in the condi |
ion of Labor, we present the following
Demands:
SOCIAL DEMANDS.
|. Reduction of the hours of labor in
to the progress of production.
,. The United States shall obtain pos
session of the railroads, canals, tele-
graphs, telephones. and all other means
If public transportation and communi-
,atiOn.
), The municipalities to obtain possess
lion of the local railroads. ferries, water
works, gas works. electric plants. ana
III industries requiring municipal fran
,hises.
4. The public lands to be declared in
Illenable. Revocation of all land grants
o corporations or individuals, the con.
iltions of which have not been com.
,lied with.
D. Legal incorporation by the States
# local Trade Unions which have no
RATIONAL organization.
@. The United States to have the ex-
lusive right to issue money.
Z. Congressional legi. lation providing
or the scientific management Of farastS !