The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-03-14
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.


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 as unanimous favor in
the Convention as it did in the Committee,
there was hope for the country.
WHEREAS Throughout our entire eoun-
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 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 bopdholders: and,
Whereas, While We recognize the fact
that men in Congress connected with both
the old parties have stood up manfully for
the rights oftbe 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 Green backs, 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 judieious
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con-
vention and make declaratiog of our
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 to
office of such men only as will pledge
themselves to do all in their power to es
tablish these principles.
First--It is the exclusive function, of the
General Government to coin and create mo.
ney and regulate its value. All branch is
sues designed to circulate as money should
be suppressed. The circulating medium
whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
by the Government and made full Iega,
tender for all debts, duties and taxes in the
United States at its stamped value.
second-There 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 whicl
they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver b
placed upon the same footing as that o
gold.
Fourth Congress shall provide sal
money adequate to the full employment c
labor, the equitable distribution of it
products and the requirements of business
fixing minimum amount per capita to tn
population as near as may be, and othe,
wise regulating its volume, by wise and {
quitable provisions of law, so that the raj
ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
and spirit of popular Government that an
species of private property should be e,
empt from bearing its just share of Ii
t public burdens. Government bonds an
money should be taxed precisely as otht
property, and graduated income ia
: 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 develop
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechal
ical, manufacturing and ommercial resou
. ces, to the end that labor may be fully en-
: ployed. but no monopolies should be lega
lied.
Eighth-All useless Offices should be
bolished the most rigid economy enforce
- in every branch of the public service ar
severe punishment inflicted upon public G
fcers who betray the trusts reposed
them.
Ninth-As educated labor has devise
. means for multiplying production by il
" vention and discoveries, and as their u
;. requires the exercise of mind as we'll
: body, such legislation should be had tn
> the number of hours of daily toll will
reduced, giving the working classes mo-
: leisure for mental improvement and soei
. enjoyment and saving them from prematu
: decay and death.
Tenth-The adoptson of an America
n monetary system as proposed herein wi
:, harmonic all differences in regard to tari
? and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
a the cost Transportation by land and waite
e distribte equitably the joint earnings
= capital and labor, secure to the produce
Q of wealth the results of their labor ar
skill, muster out of the service the va
hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
tenn grow rich upon the earnings of other
l. that every man and woman may by the
own efforts secure competence SO TIL
:. oyergrown fortunes and extrme poyert
!, will be seldom found within the limits
g our Republic.
Eleventh-Both National and Sta
q Government should establish bureaus