The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-22
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 depre ssed, 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
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, 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, we're crimes against the people, and
as far as possible, the results of these Grim
inal acts must be counteracted by ludicious
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con.
vention and make declaratiog of ou1
principles and invite all patriotic citizens
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
perfect, without delay, National, State and
local associations to secure the election te
themselves to do all in their power to ea
tablish these principles.
Fifst-It is the exclusive function of the
General Government TO coin and create mo
ney and regulate its value All branch is
sues designed 10 circulate as money should
be suppressed. The circulating medium
whether of metal or paper shall be issued
by the Government and made full lega
fo75ap for oil Ioh4c 1pfiau apd in Al
United States at its stamped value.
Second-Tnere shall be no privileged
class of creditors official salaries, pension
bonds and other debts and obligations il
the legal tender money of the United State
strictly according to the laws under which
they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver b.
placed upon the same footing as that o
gold.
i Fourth-Congress shall provide sal,
: money adequate to the full employment O
,, labor, the equitable distribution of it
9 products and the requirements of business
: : fixing minimum amount per capita to tn
: population as near as may be, and other
8 wise regulating it's volume, by wise and {
quitable provisions of law, 80 that the rat
of interest will secure to labor its Just re
B ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
and spirit of popular Government that an
species of private property should be e1
empt from bearing its just share of th
public burdens. Government bonds an
money should be taxed precisely as otht
property, and a graduated income ia
n should be levied for the support of tt
Government and the payment of its debt
/ Sixth-The public lands are the con
mon property of the whole people, an
should not be sold to spectators nor graz
ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul
be donated to actual settlers in limite
quantities.
Seventh-The Government should,
general enactment, encourage the develo
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecha
,e ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
er ces, to the end that labor may be fully en-
el ployed, but no monopolies should be lega
. EiRhth-All useless offices should be
boIished the most rigid economy enforc,
\ | in every branch of the public service ar
q severe punishment inflicted upon public G
n fcers who betray the trusts reposed
y them.
eI Ninth-As educated labor has devils,
A means for multiplying production by il
Y veDiion and discoveries, and as their u
requires the exercise Of mind as we'll
a body, such legislation should be had tn
3 the number of hours of daily toll will
reduced. giving the working classes mo
er leisure for mental improvement and soci
ID a enjoyment and saving them from prematu
or decay and death.
Of Tenth-The adoptson of an Americs
u monetary system as proposed herein wi
harmonize all differences in regard to tar
and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
1g the cost oftransportation by land and waite
E 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
er hordes Of idlers who under the existing sy
+ tenn grow rich upon the earnings of Other
that every man and woman may by the
ek own efforts secure a competence SO til
overgrown fortunes and extrme pover
will be seldom found within the limits
7, 7, our Republic.
IL Government should establish bureaus
, labor and industrial atatistics, clothed wi
power of gathering and publishing Il
same.
Twelfth-That the contract system
employing labor in our prisens and refc
lss matory institutions works great injustice
se es our mechanics and artizans, and should
5. prohibited.
Thireentn-The importation of ssrvi
ne ne labnr in to the United States from China
problem of the most serious importan,
he and we recommend legislation looking
on its suppression.
on 8. +, CAREY, President.
IT A. RORrNsON Secretarv