Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-03-28


adopted unanimously:
Whereas, The competitive system OF in
dustry based primarily upon the individual
ownership Of nature 8 unmodifled resources,
and subsequently upon the individual own
ership of the tools Of production, has with
the march of invention and the evolution of
society toward higher and more complex
forms of human relationship become an in
siderable burden and undeniable oppres-
sion to the wage working classes;
and whereas, the aforesaid com
petitive system otherwise known as
the capitalistic plan Of private exploitation
of those deprived of tools and land) has,
through its phenomenal accumulation of
wealth into the hands of the few, become
stumbling block in the path of progress,
prolific corruption of public freedom and
menace to individual liberty, using its I'M
Just advantages over the masses Of the
people to coerce and again cajole them into
the support of political measures
which would be an insult to the
conscience of freemen and to which
their pressing physical needs alone give
sanction; and Whereas the mentally capa-
BILE among the wageworking classes, know
ing the unjust foundation Of the competi-
tive system and the unequal advantages
accruing to those who control and profit
by it, are by far too clever not to know that
all this iniquitous system can of its own
motion possibly yield to the wageworker is
merely that amount of his product neces-
sary to the renewal of his labor power,
Withholding from him by the terms OF the
system his well earned leisure, luxury and
recreation; therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the accredited repre-
representatives. of the trades and labor or
CARNATIONS of San Francisco, in conven
ton assembled, after due elaboration, do
hereby claim it to be our sincere conviction
that the present anarchical system OF
private individual land and tool
owning, which places the many at the
mercy of the few, is the fundamental cause
of the industrial distress and economic
slavery Of the masses Of the workers; and
that in accordance with the foregoing con-
viction we proceed to organize our feder-
ated forces on such lines as are best
calculated to supplant competition and its
fraudulent fundamentals, by substituting
therefor system of universal cooperation
founded upon the specialization Of the means
of production land, tools and capital; and
be it further
Resolved, That to this end we not only
organize industrially, but in addition
thereto use our political rights and
privileges in a manner consistent with our
economic belief, taking such distinct
political action as will forever throw OF
the yoke of our capitalist masters.
The following platform, presented by X.
T McIvor, was adopted bya unanimous
vote:
/. Reduction of the hours Of labor in
proportion to the progress Of production.
9. The United States shall obtain pos
session Of the railroads, canals, telegraphs,
telephones and all other means OF public
Transportation and communication, but no
employe shall be discharged for political
reasons.
g. The municipalities to obtain posses
sion of the local railroads, ferries, water
works, gas works, electric plants and all
industries requiring municipal franchises;
but no employee shall be discharged for
political reasons.
A. The public lands to be declared inalien-
able Revocation of all land grants to cor
porations or individuals, the conditions OF
which have not been complied with.
B. Legal incorporation by the States OF
local trade unions which have no national
organization.
g. The United States to have the exclu-
sive 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.
8. Inventions to be free to all; the in
yentors to be remunerated by the nation,
o. Progressive income tax and tax ON
inheritances; the smaller incomes to be
exempt.
10. School education of all children un-
der IA years of age to be compulsory, gra-
tuitous and accessible to all.
II. Repeal of all pauper, tramp, conspir-
acy and sumptuary laws. Unabridged
rights of combination.
IL. Official statistics concerning the
condition of labor. Prohibition of the EN-
ployment of children of school age and of
the employment of female labor in occupa-
tions detrimental to health or morality
Abolition of the convict labor contract
system.
10. Employment of the unemployed by
the public authorities County. city, State
and Nation
IA. All wages to be paid in lawful
money of the United States. Equalization
of women's wages with those OF men
where equal service is performed
Is. Laws for the protection OF life and
limb in all occupations, and an efficient
employers liability law
The political demands are;
/. The people to have the right to pre-
nose laws and to vote upon all measures OF
Importance, according to the referendum
principle.
n Atol;+;o,, of tho veto mower of the