The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-01
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.
The report of the Committee on Resolu
tions and Platform was loudly called for
General Samuel F. Carey, as Chairman
read the subjoined resolutions, prefaceing
the reading with brief remarks to the et
feet that the Committee was singularly u
Eited in sentiment and that if the platform
should meet with as unanimous favor in
the 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 unrpallel-
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and MD
die ranks of our people, the land filled
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 bondholders: and,
Whereas, While we recognize the fact
that men in Congress connected with both
the old parties have stood up manfully for
| bu6 K1kutS VI tAc pcOplcr ohu IiiCs thC shACahS
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
a 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, the excepting
of bonds from taxation, the contraction OF
the circulating medium, the proposed
forced resumption of specie payments
and the prodigal waste of the public
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
, vention and make deelaratiog of oul
: principles and invite all patriotic citizen
: : to unite in an effort to secure financial re
form and industrial emancipation.
, The organization shall be known the Ma
tional Party, and under this name we will
y : perfect, without delay, National, State an,
: local associations to secure the election t
= Office of such men only as will pledg
: themselves TO do all in their power to es
q tablish these principles.
First-It is the exclusive function of tn
n General Government TO coin and create mo
: ney and regulate its value. All branch is
: sues designed to circulate as money shoul,
q be suppressed. The circulating medium
= whether of metal or paper, shall be issue
. by the Government and made full legs
y tender for all debts, duties and taxes in III
Q United States at its stamped value.
" Second-There shall be no privilege
. class of creditors official salaries, pensio
W bonds and other debts and obligations
. the legal tender money of the United State
" strictly according to the laws under whic
- they we're issued.
" Third-That the coinage of silver /
n placed upon the same footing as that
* gold.
% Fourth-C Congress shall provide sal
70 money adequate to the full employment
~ labor, the equitable distribution of
" products and the requirements of bushes
50 fixing minimum amount per capita to Il
* population as near as may be, and othe
s0 wise regulating its volume, by wise and
TX quitable provisions of law, so that the ra
sO Of interest will secure to labor its lust !
IL ward.
20 Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geni
rs and spirit of popular Government. that a
so species of private property should be e
rs empt from bearing its just share of I
so public burdens. Government bonds a
rs money should be taxed precisely as otl
so property, and q graduated income I
rs should be levied for the support of /
so Government and the payment of its deb
rs Sixth-The public lands are the co
so mon property of the whole people, a
90 should not be sold to spectators nor era
ted to railroads or corporations, but shot
be donated to actual settlers in limi,
90 quantities.
w Seventh-The Government should,
w general enactment, encourage the develt
OO ment of our agricultural, mineral, mech,
ical, manufacturing and commercial reso
ces, to the end that labor may be fully e
ployed, but no monopolies should be leg
iZed
90 Eighth-All useless offices should be
OO bolished the most rigid economy enfort
90 in every branch of the public service a
90 severe punishment inflicted upon public
90 ficers who betray the trusts reposed
90 them.
00 Ninth-As educated labor has devils
90 means for multiplying production by
30 vention and discoveries, and as their
90 requires the exercise Of mind as we'll
90 body, such legislation should be had II
90 the number of hours of daily toll will
90 reduced. giving the working classes m,
90 leisure for mental improvement and soc
90 enjoyment and saving them from premat,
90 decay and death.
90 Tenth-The adoptson of an Americ
90 monetary system as proposed herein "
90 harmonic all differences in regard to tai
90 and Federal taxation, reduce and equal
80 the cost oftransportation by land and wat
90 distribte equitably the joint earnings
90 capital and labor, secure to the produc
90 of wealth the results OF their labor a
90 skill, muster out of the service the v
90 hordes of idlers who under the existing 8
90 tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othe
90 that every man and woman may by III
so own efforts secure competence so n
90 overgrown fortunes and extrme power
SO will be seldom found within the limits
so our Republic.
& Eleventh-Both National and ST
so Government should establish bureaus
so labor and industrial atatistics, clothed W
so power of gathering and publishing
so same.
SO Twelfth-That the contract system
SO employing labor in our prisens and ref
90 matofy institutions works great injustice
90 our mechanics and artizans, and should
prohibited.
90 Thireentn-The importation of sery
labnl in TO the United States from Chins
90 problem of the most serious impo,tsn
so and We recommend legislation looking
so its suppression.
60} 8. F, CAREY, President
30 II. A. ROBINSON, Secretary.