The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-07-18
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

The report of the Committee on Resolu-
ions and Platform was loudly called for
General Samuel f. Carey, as Chairman
,ead the subjoined resolutions, prefaceing
he reading with brief remarks to the et-
'ect that the Committee was singularly H.
.ited in sentiment and that if the platform
should meet with as unanimous favor in
he Convention as it did in the Committee,
there was hope for the country.
WHEREAS. Throughout our entire coun-
try the value of real estate is deprecated
industry paralyzed, trade depressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced unrpaIlel-
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and mid
die ranks of our people, the land Tiled
with fraud, embezzlement, bankruptcy,
crime, suffering, pauperism and starvation;
and,
WHEREAS, This state of things has been
brought about by legislation in the interest
of. and dictated by money lenders, bankers
and bopdholders: and,
Whereas, While we recognize the fact
that men in Congress connected with both
the old parties have stood up manfully for
the rights of the people, and met the threats
of the money power and the ridicule of an |
ignorant and subsidized press, yet neither
the Republican nor the Democratic parties
in their national policies propose remedies
for the existing evils; and,
WHEREAS, The Independent Greenback
party, and other associations more or less
effective, have been unable hitherto to make
formidable oppositiod to old party organ
izalions, and,
WHEREAS, The limiting of the legl ten
der quality of Greenbacks, the changing OF
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
etization of the silver dollar, tl:s excepting
of bonds from taxation, the Contraction of
the circulating medium. the proposed
forced resumption of specie payments
and the prodigal waste of the pnbllc
lands, were crimes against the people, and
| as far as possible, the results OF these Grim
inal acts must be counteracted by judicious
| legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con-
yention and make a declaratiog of our
principles and invite all patriotic citizens
| to unite in an effort to secure tipancial re-
form and industrial emancipation.
The organization shall be known the Ma
tional Party, and under this name we will
perfect, without delay, National, State and
local associations to secure the election to
Office of such men only as will pledge
themselves TO do all in their power to es-
tablish these principles.
First-It is the exclusive function of the
General Government to coin and create mo-
ney and regulate its value. All branch is-
sues designed to circulate as money should
be suppressed. The circulating medium,
whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
by the Government and made full legal
tender for all debts, duties and taxes in the
United States at its stamped value.
Second-There shall be no privileged
81
bonds and other debts and obligations in
the legal tender money ofthe United States
strictly according to the laws under which
they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver be
placed upon the same footing as that oil
gold.
Fourth Congress shall provide said
money adequate to the full employment Of
labor. the equitable distribution of its
products and the requirements of business
fixing minimum amount per capita to the
population as near as may be, and other
: wise regulating its volume, by wise and e
/ uuitable provisions of law, so that the rate
, of interest will secure to labor its Just re
ward.
: Fifth-It is inconsistent with the genius
, and spirit of popular Government that any
species of private property should be ex
/. empt from bearing its just share of th'
! public burdens. Government bonds ant
8 money should be taxed precisely as othe
e property, and graduated income ia,
e should be levied for the support of tn
: Government and the payment of its debts
e Sixth-The public lands are the com
! mon property of the whole people, ant
should not be sold to spectators nor gran
ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul,
u be donated to actual settlers in imite
: quantities.
l Seyenth-The Government should, b
general enactment, encourage the develop
II ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechar
l, ical, manufacturing and commercial resoul
ces, to the end that labor may be fully EN-
ployed. but no monopolies should be Legal
lied.
q Eighth-All useless Offices should be a
,. bolished the most rigid economy enforce
, in every branch of the public service an
;. severe punishment inflicted upon public o
- ficers who betray the trusts reposed i
y them.
u Ninth-As educated labor has devise
- means for multiplying production by II
- vention and discoveries and as their us
10 requires the exercise Of mind as we'll s
re body, such legislation should be had ths
:, the number of hours of daily toll will
reduced. giving the working classes MOI
10 leisure for mental improvement and socit
10 enjoyment and saving them from prematul
~ ~ decay and death.
! Tenth-The adoptson of an America
y monetary system as proposed herein wi
II harmonic all differences in regard to tari
.. and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
the cost transportation of by land and waite
;s distribte equitably the joint earnings
. capital and labor, secure to the produce
- of wealth the results of their labor ar
~ skill, muster out of the service the va
A. hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
- tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othel
1. that every man and woman may by the
IN own efforts secure competence so tn
70 overgrown fortunes and extrme power
~ will be seldom found within the limits
~ our Republic.
- - Eleventh-Both National and Sta
as .o Government should establish bureaus
'0' labor and industrial atatistics, clothed wi
es power of gathering and publishing t
same,
a Twelfth-That the contract system
a employing labor in our prisens and reft
&. matory institutions works great injustice
III our mechanics and artizans and should
he prohibited.
~ Thireentn-The importation of servi
OF labnr in to the United States from China
ut problem of the most serious importan,
es and we recommend legislation looking
III its suppression.
re s. F, CAREY, President
II. A. ROBINSON, Secretary.
ABoY-One of the best things in t
"a world is to be boy. A boy is willing
do any amount of work if it is called pla
I'd The feeling of a boy towards pumkin I
- has never been properly considered.