The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-06-20
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 ef- |
feet that the Committee was singularly u
Fitted in sentiment and that if the platform
should meet with az 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 d PIE ssed, bus
nass incomes and wages reduced unrpallel-
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and i'd
die ranks of our people, the land filed
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 boDdholders: and,
Whereas, While we recognize the fact
that men in Congress connected with both
the old parties have stood up manfully for
the nights ofthe 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
j a formidable oppositiod to old party organ
izalions, and,
4 WHEREAS, The limiting of the legl ten.
y der quality of Green backs, the changing o.
I currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
t etizstion of the silver dollar, the excepting
3 of bonds from taxation, the contraction O
s the circulating medium, the proposed
. forced resumption of specie payments
e and the prodigal waste of the public
t, lands, were crimes against the people, anC
'e as far as possible, the results of these Grim
g inal acts must be counteracted by iudiciou
d legislation;
0, Therefore, we assemble in National Con
t. vention and make declaratiog of on
:, principles and invite all patriotic citizen
of to unite in an effort to secure financial re
a. form and industrial emancipation.
=, The organization shall be known the Ma
n tionai Party, and under this name we vii
IN perfect, without delay, National, State an
u local associations to secure the election t
u Office of such men only as will pledg
st themselves to do all in their power to e;
ed tablish these principles.
IS First--It is the exclusive function of th
ID General Government to coin and create mo
of ney and regulate its value. All branch il
S. sues designed to circulate as money shoul
n be suppressed. The circulating medium
I'd nd whether of metal Or paper, shall be Issue
IN by the Government and made a full leg
les tender for all debts, duties and taxes in t.
on United States at its stamped value.
Second-There shall be no privileg
mt class of creditors-official salaries, pensi
bonds and other debts and obligations
r) the legal tender money ofthe United Stat
., strictly according to the laws under viii
oil. they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver
er' placed upon the same footing as that
IN gold.
FOURTH Congress shall provide So
money adequate to the full employment
IN. labor, the equitable distribution of
products and the requirements of busine
SO fixing minimum amount per capita to I
'ih- population as near as may be, and 9th
aI lsa- wise regulating its volume, by wise and
the quitable provisions of law, so that the r
,ro- of interest will secure to labor its Just
ward.
.ral F;fb-T+ 10 inoorO;stont with tho ,on
'A and spirit Of popular Government that 9
Ible species of private property should be
rate empt from bearing its just share of
lost public burdens. Government londs !;
pe money should be taxed precisely as OF
-ou? property, and a graduated income
should be levied for the support of
ess! Government and the payment of its de
Sixth-The public lands are the &C
itu mon property of the whole people,
should not be sold to spectators nor gr
~ ted to railroads or corporations, but sho
FIR be donated to actual settlers in lim
quantities.
onic Seventh-The Government should,
Bit
and eeieiai eiae'nieh', encourage 'he oeVe
for ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecl
De ical, manufacturing and commercial res
nita- ces, to the end that labor may be fully
''tSn tSn ployed, but no monopolies should be lie
: r ized
cork Eighth-All useless offices should b
theirs bolished- the most rigid economy enfo
rem in every branch of the public service
ungs r. severe punishment inflicted upon publ
fcers who betray the trusts reposet
Drug them.
unk-
treet, Nin'h-As eonca'eo LABOR mas oe'
means for multiplying production by
vention and discoveries, and as their
!. No requires the exercise of mind as vel
mach body, such legislation should be had
J, softh c the number of hours of daily toll viii
bottle reduced, giving the working classes
fails. leisure for mental improvement and s.
enjoyment and saving them from prem,
- decay and death.
Tenth-The adoptson of an Amer
monetary system as proposed herein
harmonize all differences in regard to