The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-09-05
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.


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 singularIy u
Eited in sentiment and that if the platform
should meet with as unanimous favor in
:he Convention as it did in the Committee,
there was hope for the country.
WHEREAS Throughout onr entire conn
try the value of real estate is deprecated
industry Paralyzed, trade ..r ssgd, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced '.H-Yallel-
ed distress inflicted upon the ;.oor end il
iie ranks OF oar people, the land fllel
with fraud, etubszzlement, Bankruptcy,
crime, suffering, paHperisIH 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 manfuliy 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, Fhe Independent Green back
party, and other associations more or less
effective, have been unable hitherto to make
q formidable opposisiod to old party organ
izslions, and,
WHEREAS, The limiting of the legl ten
der quality of Green backs, the changing OF
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
citation 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 prodigaI 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 iudicious
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 Na-
tional Party, and under this name We will
perfect, without delay, National State and
local associations to secure the election 10
office Of such men only as will pledge
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 10 circulate as money should
be suppressed. The circulating medium
whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
by the Government and made a full legal
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 in
the legal tender money of the United States
strictly according to the laws under which
they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver be
placed upon the same footing as that of
gold.
Fourth-Co Congress shall provide said
money adequate TO the full employment of
labor, the equitable distribution of its
products and the requirements of business,
fixing a minimum amount per capita to the
population as near as may be, and other
wise regulating its volume, by wise and e.
quitable provisions of law, so that the rate
Of interest will secure to labor its Just re.
ward
Fifth--It is inconsistent with the genius
and spirit of popular Government that any
species of private property should be ex-
empt from bearing its just share Of the
public burdens. Government bonds and
money should be taxed precisely as other
property, and a graduated income tax
should be levied for the support of the
Government and the payment of its debts
Sixth-The public lands are the COM
mon property of the whole people, and
should not be sold to spectators nor gran
ted to railroads or corporations, but should
be donated to actual settlers in limited
quantities.
Seventh-The Government should, by
general enactment, encourage the develop
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechan-
ical, manufacturing and commercial resour-
ces, to the end that labor may be fully en-
ployed, but TO monopolies should be legal
lied.
Eighth-All useless Offices should be a.
bolished the most rigid economy enforced
in every branch Of the public service and
severe punishment inflicted upon public of
fcers who betray the trusts reposed in
them.
Ninth-As edncated labor has devised
hiSaio IVA mum IlOuuCt!tH pg III
vention and discoveries, and IS their use
requires the exercise Of mind as we'll as
body, such legislation should be had that
the number of hours of daily toll will be
reduced, giving the working classes more
leisure for mental Improvement and social
enjoyment and saving them from premature
decay and death.
Tenth-Fhe adoptson of an American
monetary system as proposed herein will
harmonic all differences in regard to tariff
and Federal taxation, reduce and equalize
the cost oftransportation by land and water,
distribte equitably the joint earnings of
capital and labor. secure to the producers
of wealth the results of their labor and
skill, muster out of the service the vast
hordes of idlers who under the existing sys-
tenn grow rich upon the earnings of Others,
that every man and woman may by their
own efforts secure competence SO that
overgrown fortunes and extrme poverty
will be seldom found within the limits of
our Republic.
Eleventh-Both National and State
Government should establish bureaus of
labor and industrial atatistics, clothed with
power Of gathering and publishing the
same.
Twelfth--That the contract system of
employing labor in our prisens and refor-
matory institutions works great injustice to
our mechanics and artizans, and should be
prohibited.
Thireentn-The importation of servile
labnr in to The United States from China is
q problem of the most serious importance,
and we recommend legislation looking to
its suppression.
s. F, CAREY, President.
II. A. ROBINSON, Secretary.