The morning call., 1894-02-22
THEIR PLATFORM.
Resolutions Adopted by
Workingmen.
LABOR'S VOICE is HEARD.
HE Socialist Element Makes
Itself Felt.
PRINCIPLES ARE ENUNClATED.
What the Labor Congress of Cali
fornia Presents TO the People
as It's Sentiments.
PRINCIPLES ARE ENUNcIATED.


Labor Congress in Washington ball, viz
Those of the socialists, labor unions and
the Farmers Alliance.
The following report was submitted by
the conference committee. composed OF
five delegates acting in conjunction with
a like number from the Farmers Alliance
and the Industrial Union of California.
Realizing the urgent necessity of united ac-
ton among all wealth producers 10 the end
that the present distressing condition of our
people may be allevated financially and soci-
ally. and with a yifw looking 10 Ihe ultimate
naturalization OF all lines OF production and
distribution necessary To secure the greatest
good 10 the greatest number, submit the follow
ing propositions as platform of principles on
which all labor elements and industrial cailings
IN the Slate may be united politically, and
lhereOy enabled stand and act unitedy in
defense OF ouI homes, our country and Of man
kind.
The initiative referendum. imperative mandate
and proportional representation.
Compulsory education.
legal eight-hour day.
sanitary inspection OF workshops, mines and
houses.
Liability of employers for injury to health. body
or life
The abolition of the contract system in all pub
lie work
The abolition of the sweating system.
The municipal own ership Of streetcars, gas and
electric light plants for public distribution Of
light, heat and power.
The REORGANIZATION of telegraphs. telephones,
railroads and mines.
OF production aud distribution.
Tie naturalization OF money, issuance OF all
money by the Government direct TO the PEG pie
without Intervention OF banks. No fnterest-be r
ing bonds TO be issued under any preteXt or for
any purpose National banks 10 be abo ished.
Progressive income tax and tax on fuheritances
the smaller incomes to be exempt; graduated
land tax and the repeal of the mortgage tax and
the poll tax.
Emp oyment of the unemployed by public au-
thoritleS-cily, county, State and national
Repeal of all pauper. tramp, conspiracy and
sumptuary laws. Unabridged right OF combina-
ton.
Universal and equal right Of suffrage without
regard TO
Thatwe favor a national labor day
That we, the State Labor Congress OF California
indorse the efforts of white ar-makers and call
upon friends OF white labor 10 purchase cigar
unless the cigar-makers' label IS on the box.
Schoo education OF children under IA years TO
be compulsory, gratuitons and accessible TO by
public assistance where necessary.
Indorsug House bills 55Ol-55O6. dealing with
the shipments, discharge and treatment of Ameri-
can >rameH.
and municipal works; that ali public work shall
be done by the day under direction OF the proper
officials and none but citizens shall be employed.
he committee on credentials reported that
1876 names were on the roll.
The report of The conference committee was
taken under consideration in the afternoon ana
the previously stated preamble adopted as
expressing general sentiment. The sections
of this report were adopted as follows:
One-0n the initia i've, eJc.; twO municipal
ownership OF gas electric lights, wa efwOf Ks
and street airOadS; three, the naturalization
81 IetegrdpNS. telephones, railways ana water
ways An amendment TO include the naionali-
cation Of lana. production and distribution,
offered by socialist, created prolonged and
exhaustive discussion, which was frequently
punctured by personalities. The three differ
ent opinions were drawn out, however, and re-
suited 10 some good.
II. for one, 90 on record as opposing this''
said representative OF the SacT ameBto labor
unions. ''It Is too radical a measure and the
Sacramento unions will oppose H. The United
States Is not III a condition 10 accept this. You
cannot nationaliZe land, water and corpora
tiOns."
LAS a representative of the San JOAQUIN
labor organizations l am opposed 10 it, The
time is not ripe for it." added a delegate from
Stockton.
a delegate from Southern California declared
he could not support the resolutions, as already
southern labor organizations have rejected
them as impracticable. The tailors' representa-
live also objected on similar grounds, but the
carpenters delegate stood up and spoke en-
Enthusiastically in favor OF the resolutions. He
believed that equal justice should be done to
all. and tile rights of labor should be respected.
I his speech called forth applause, and again
the convention was ready to vote for national
lZation of land.
Hugh Stewart from the federation of unskilled
labor of San Francisco claimed that at least
the naturalization Of land should be demanded
prjncip even II there WIS no hope of
securing an immediate response. The discus
sion drifting away into mere economical
talk when 4. NJ. Warden. representing the
Famer,' Alliance. arose and faceiiously de-
ciaTed lba The demand was nothing more nor
less than an announcement that the convention
wanted The earlh.
with fence around it," added voice In
the hall
E"WeI, the Farmers Alliance don't want it.
and If his goes on the alliance viii draw out"
blr ardell retorted as he look his seat.
The debate was developing TWO distinct
opinions, one socialistic aud largely theoretical
the other more solid and practical from labor
unions
We have heard opinions" said George
Aspin. a socialist with bumoristc tendencies.
The time has come when the people ask aud
demand concessions. Ibis country is in very
bad condition today. We have opinions from
SacramentO-a capital id a-another from
Stockton, and there is an insane asylum there"
Cries OF "Order!" came from different parts
OF the hall, and Aspin had TO take his seat.
Delegates from the Farmers Alliance labor
unions and soclalistic societies intefchanged
Their ideas, ana then the question resolved
ltseI INTO three-corDeTeo PROPOSE lon, aud in
this condition 1t went to vote. NationaIZa-
ton OF land vas rejected by vote of IA 10 33.
The original recommendation that railroads
telegraphs and WATERWAYS should be national
lied was adopted unanimously.
Section 4, providing for postal savings banks.
was adopted.
Section 5-school education of children I'M
DER 10 10 be compulsory. gratuitous and access
lble TO all by public assistance where neces-
sary, all school material to be provided free
by the State-was carried.
Section 6-the sanitary inspection Of work
shops, mines and houses-was adopted.
Section THE liability of employers for in
jury to health, body and liie-was adopted.
Article S-that maximum of hours OF labor
shall be not more than eight hours, and be re-
duced 10 proportion TO tile progress of produc-
ton; that the contract system be abolished on
public work; that overtime be not allowed ex-
cept in cases OF extreme necessity, aud none
but citizens emplOyed-was adopted.
Article 9-uncODditi0nal repeal OF the ma
tional bank act. and IN lieu of national bank
notes that the Government issue legal tender
treasury noies for all debts, public and private,
and providing for free coinage of gold and
silver al ratio of 16 10 WAS adopted.
Article loon collective ownership of the
people OF ali means of production ana disIrbu-
llon-was laid on the table
article la gradual income tax on all in
comes In excess Of $1,000 per anDum, the rate
adopted.
Section 12-opposing further issuance OF
DatloDal, state and municipal bOnds-adOpted.
Aftlcle Unemployment of unemployed BY
pubic autnorltes-was adopted.
Article l4-repeal of pauper. tramp. con.
spiracy and sumptuary laws-was adopted with
the exception OF "sumptuarv"
Article 16-universal suffrage without regard
to sex-was adopted.
Article 16-favOring a national labor dav-
was laid on the table.
Article 17-indorsing white eigar-makers ana
calling upon labor organizations and friendly
bodies for suppOrt-was adopted.
Article 18-favoriDg compulsory and gra
tuitous education of children under IA years Of