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

I
the reading with brief remarks to the eff
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 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, pauperlsm and starvation;
and,
WHEREAS, This state of things has been
brought aboat by Legislation in the interest
of, and dictated by money lenders, bankers
and bOsdholders: and,
Whereas, While we recognize the fact
that men in Congress connected with both
sAe old parties have stood up manfulIy for
the rights ofthe 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 pohcies 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, were crimes against the people, and
as far as possible, the results of these Grim.
insl acts must be counteracted by.judicious
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con.
vention and make declaxatiog of oul
principles and invite all patriotic citizen:
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 ant
local associations to secure the election t
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 tn,
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 issue'
by the Government and made full lega
tender for afl debts, duties and taxes in tn
. United STAKES at its stamped value.
, Second-There shall be no privilege,
class Of efeditors-o official salaries, pensio
f bonds and other debts and obligations i
the legal tender money of the United State
e strictly according to the laws under whic
they we're issued.
q Third-That the coinage of silver b
/ placed upon the same footing as that c
gold.
o FourtR-Congress shall provide sal
money adequate to the full employment {
labor, the equitable distribution of il
q products and the requirements of busines
fixing minimum amount per capita to tn
q population as near as may be, and othe
wise regulating its volume, BY wise and
quitable provisions of law, so that the ra
j., of interest will secure to labor its Just r.
q ward.
# Fifth-It is Inconsistent with the geni,
and spirit Of popular Government that an
"a species of private property should be e.
y empt from bearing its just share of IL
A public burdens. Government bonds ar
g money should be taxed precisely as 9th
= property, and q graduated income ia
should be levied for the support of Il
!. Government and the payment of its deb
~ Sixth-The public lands are the COZ
re mon property of the whole people, al
g. should not be sold to speculators nor gra
es ted to railroads or corporations, but shou
r be donated 10 actual settlers in limit
quantities.
g. Seventh-The Government should,
at general enactment, encourage the develo
n ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecha
at ical, manufacturing and commercial resor
e- ces, to the end that labor may be fully e
IT, ployed, but no raoDopolies should be leg
It. ized
at Eighth---All useless offices should be
ne bolished- the most rigid economy enfore
at in every branch of the public service a
an severe punishment inflicted upon public
ly fcers Who betray the trusts reposed
hs them.
'ly NiDshrAs educated labor has devil
les means for multiplying production by
nd vsntien and discoveries, and as their
M requires the exercise of mind as well
me body, such legislation should be had t
70 the number of hours of daily toll will
% reduced. giving the working classes m
e'h leisure for mental improvement and SOC
AZ enjoyment and saving them from premat
en- decay and death.
Teuth-The adoptson of an Ameri
monetary system as proposed herein !,
!. harmonic all differences in regard to ia
nv and Federal taxation, reduce and equa
the cost of transportation by land and wa
distribte equitably the joint earnings
capital and labor, secure to the produ,
of wealth the results of their labor
skill, muster out of the service the
ysi- hordes of idlers who under the existing
ave tenn grow rich upon the earnings of 9th
ser- that every man and woman may by Il