The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-07-11
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

HE report OF the GOmuistee on fieSOlu-
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 singuIarIy 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 depresse bus
ness incomes and wages reduced unrpallel-
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and mid
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
the rights fthe 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 Greenbaoks, the changing of
g currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
4 citation of the silver dollar, the excepting
4 OF bonds from taxation, the contraction OF
~ h. 81
forced resumption of specie payments
81 and the prodigal waste of the public
n 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 a declaratiog of onl
principles and invite all patriotic citizens
to unite in an effort to secure financial re
form and industrial emancipation.
II The organization shall be known the Ma
h tional Party, and under this name we viii
ID perfect, without delay, National, State ant
:. local associations to secure the election Il
~ office of such men only as will pledg
~ themselves to do all in their power to es
III tablish these principles.
n- First-It is the exclusive function of tn
We General Government to coin and create mo
a ney and regulate its value. All branch is
Id sues designed to circulate as money shoul,
be be suppressed. The circulating medium
,st whether of metal or paper, shall be issue
le. by the Government and made full lega
in tender for all debts, duties and taxes in tn
er United States at its stamped value
Second-There shall he no privilege
class Of creditors-oficial salaries, pensio
bends and other debts and obligations i
ed the legal tender money ofthe United State
,m strictly according to the laws under whic
-. they were issued.
es Third-That the coinage of silver b
Oh placed upon the same footing as that
ly, gold.
ill Fourth-Congress shall provide sal
money adequate to the full employment
labor, the equitable distribution of i
cv products and the requirements of busines
fixing minimum amount per capita to Il
population as near as may be, and othe
wise regulating its volume, by wise and
euitable provisions of law, so that the "a
the of interest will secure to labor its lust r
en- ward.
re Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geni,
9Th and spirit of popular Government that al
species of private property should be e
f'y empt from bearing its just share of Il
lch public burdens. Government bonds al
lest money should be taxed precisely as 9th
, a, property, and a graduated income I,
Aoo Government and the payment of its deb
'ose Sixth-The public lands are the col
for mon property of the whole people, a.
t;no should not be sold to speculators nor gra
ted to railroads or corporations but sh0N
VI be donated to actual settlers in limit
the quantities.
,ses. Seventh-The Government shoala,
pate general enactment, encourage the devefc
p: ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechs
:. ical, manufacturing and commercial reso'
lion ces, to the end that labor may be fully e
Iele- ployed, but no monopolies should be leg
lied
Eighth-All useless Offices should be
hay- bolished the most rigid economy enfort
,om- in every branch of the public service a
t;on severe punishment inflicted upon public
- ficers who hetray the trusts relfased
them.
'"e Ninth-As educated labor has devil
sates means for multiplying production by
ttee. veption and discoveries, and as their
meet requires the exercise OF mind as we'll
body, such legislation should be had 1
the number of hours Of daily toll will
reduced giving the working classes IN
leisure for mental improvement and 20,
enjoyment and saving them from premai
decay and death.
Tenth-The adoptson of an Ameyi
monetary system as proposed herein
harmonic all differences in regard to t,
and Federal taxation, reduce and equa
the cost oftransportation BY land and VIZ
distribte equitably the joint earnings
call, capital and labor, secure to the pfodu
of wealth the results of their labor
Ball. t of dere ed who o. undes 1as he
ngum tenn grow rich upon the earnings of oil
,unty; that every man and woman may by I
y; E. own efforts secure a competence so
sddin, overgrown fortunes and extrme pov
seneca will be seldom found within the limi
ounty; our Republic.
Eleventh-Both National and s
Government should establish bureau
labor and industrial atatistics, clothed
c .ho power of gathering and publishing
- same.
8 the Twelfth-That the contract system
When employing labor in our prisens and r
kinds matofy lhsti!u'iohs worRs great in!uati
he di- o.ah;h;.ad anu 'No"'
heart Thireentn-The importation of Sc
and labnr in TO the United States from Chi
oon- problem of the most serious import,
r : and we recommend legislation lookin
its suppression.
reen's s. F, CAREY, Preside
ng all H. A. ROBINSON, Secretary.
Liver
ptoms NOTICE,
lion of
.I.. ON THE 18TH DAY OF MAY, 1873, THI
''ies 10 " dersigned o. T. Mohler, of Somerset,