The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-08-15
NO. 45
The GreenbaeK Platform Adopted
at Waco.

: on the financial question, in both the
Republican and Democratic parties
renders 1t absolutely necessary thai
those who demand financial reform
should abandon the old organization:
and unite together in the National
Greenbsck Labor party to save business
men from bankruptcy, the working
classes from starvation, aod the whole
country from revolution and the nation
from repudiation.
.. We denOunce as crimes against
the people the law making the green
back only partial legal tender, the
act creating the national bank system,
the act changing currency bonds into
coin bonds, the act exempting bonds
from taxation, the act repeating the in
come tax, the act demonetizing silver,
the act for issuing interest bearing
bonds for the purchase of silver bull
hon TO be converted into subsidiary
coin, the act for resumption of specie
! payments, the act for the indefinite IN
crease of the national bank circulation
and the enormous contraction of the
volume of the circulating medium.
We recognize the financial legislation
of the government from the commence
ment of the civil war as the arbitrary
dictation OF a syndicate of bankers and
usurers, with the single and settled
purpose OF robbing the many to enrich
the few.
3. We bold that che government of
the United States has the power, and
that it is its duty, to issue at once alb
solute greenback money in an amount
| equal to the United States treasury
notes now in circulation, and the bonds
of the United States sold, the money to
/ be full legal tender for all debts, duties,
taxes and purposes whatsoever, and
redeem the treasury notes and bonds,
principal and interest, Immediately
with such absolute greenback money.
We further hold that no tariff should
be imposed, except for the purposes of
revenue; thai all national banks should
be promptly abolished that no more
bonds should be issued by the nation.
al government, ana that all the money
of the government should be taxable
with other property.
4. We hold that the Importation of
servile labor from Asiatic countries
should be prohibited under the severest
penalties; but that the emigration of
the iberty-loving from other lands
should be encouraged.
8. We hold that the honest mechanic
and laborer of the country should not
be forced into competition with gangs
of convicts sentenced to the peniten-
tlary for crimes, and we demand that
the contract system for this class of
labor shall be abolished, and that all
convlcts shall be confined within the
prison walls.
6. We recognize the mutual depen-
dence of capital and labor, and depre-
cate all attempts to antagonize them.
Combinations of capital to rob, and the
strikes of labor to resist robbery. are
destructive of the true interests CT both.
We denounce alike the Communism
which demands an equal division of
property and the infamous financial
legislation which takes all from the
many to enrich the few. We demand
cheap capital and well paid labor in the
place OF dear capital and cheap labor.
z. We demand the abrogation of the
odius and unjust occupation and smoke
house tax laws now in force in this
State.
8. We are opposed to the general or
State governments making further
donati of the public lands TO rail-
roads or other corporations, and we in
sist that they shall be reserved for the
benefit of actual settlers and the in
crease of the common school fund.
8. We demand the prompt abolition
of all useless Offices and a general and
radical decrease of public salaries, and
that county officers shall not be allowed
to receive exceeding $500 per year for
- especiJ| judicial offices, the
conPeas,,ttsr >Saxed by specific |
salaries, and that M eSlture the gov
ernment of Texas shall be conducted |
on the strictest business principles and |
on the most economical plans.
10. We pledge ourselves to re estab-
lish in fact common free schools, and |
we denounce the Democratic party for |
its failure to carry out its promises In
this regard.
II. We declare in favor of an in
come tax, based upon a constitutional |
Limitation and graduating upwards,
but leaving untouched all incomes an |
der $1,000.
10. We hold that all bonds now out
standing against the State of Texas
should be funded in four per cent.
bonds, the same to be taxed as other
property.
13. We demand the passage OF such
laws as will prevent all combinations,
determinations and granting Of rebate
Oy any transportation company, and
compelling common carriers to furnish
the same facilities and perform the
same service for the same price to all
men.
ID. We demand perfect and posi-
tive protection to our frontier, a pro-
lection that will guarantee safety both
to the settler and to the vast interests
of our herdsmen.
10. We demand that the rate OF tax-
alton for the year 1879 and subsequent
years shall not exceed thirty-seven and
a half cents on the 500 as a State tax,
and one-balf OF the amount as a
tax.
16. We demand that the exemption
laws be 30 amended as to allow each
family q comfortable homestead. not
to exceed in value $4,000.
16. That We remember with profound
gratitude the struggles of the fathers
Of Texas IN defense Ofsfhe rights of
themselves and their fellow.citizens.
and viewing the government which
they consecrated with their blood as a 1
rich and inestimsble inheritance which
has been handed down by them to US,
we are pledged to aid in every way
possible IN securing its prosperity, and {
will oppose with all esrnestness Of our
natures every step looking to destruc.
ion or to the impsiring of Its unity.
IL. Finally, having thus set forth {
'ur distinctive principles and views, we I
invite the cooperation of-all citizens
II Texas, however differing from US on
'ther questions. who SUBSTANTIALLY are !.
With as in their Affirmation and sup
Dort.
Grant, Atanton and johnson. {
The following snecdote is new, and '
'elng related By Judge Hilton, not G
his acute perception OF c
irants weakness, attests the curioue