The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-03-07
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

LSao Ills 5uUjO1ueQ XG5OluAoDs, RrSi1Se&AS
the reading with brief remarks to the ef-
feet that the Committee was singularly u
cited 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, uDrpallel-
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and mid
die ranks of our people, the land filed
with fraud, e'lbezzlement, 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 Independents 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 honda 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 judicious
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con-
vention and make a 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--I II is the exclusive function Of tn e
General Government to coin&hd 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 lega
tender for all debts, duties and taxes in tn
United States at its stamped value.
Second-There shall be no privileged
class of creditors-oficial 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 0
gold.
Fourth-Congress shall provide salt
:; money adequate to the full employment Q
|" 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
wise regulating Its volume, by wise and G
quitable provisions of law, so that the rat
of interest will secure to labor its just re
ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
} and spirit Of popular Government that an
n species of private property should be ez
"a empt from bearing its just share of Ii
II public burdens. Government bonds an
r money should be taxed precisely as oths
ID property, and q graduated income ia
u should be levied for the support of Il
% Government and the payment of its debt
es Sixth-The public lands are the con
D. mon property of the whole people, an
,f should not be sold to speculators nor grar
go ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul
es be donated to actual settlers in imite
W quantities.
~ Seventh-The Government should,
re general enactment, encourage the develop
n, ment of cur agricultural, mineral, mechal
ly ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
be ces, to the end that labor may be fully en-
a. ployed, but no monopolies should be lega
ized
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 c
" fcers who betray the trusts reposed
~ them.
~ Ninth-As educated labor has devils
a. means for multiplying production by i
On requires the exercise OF mind as we'll
IA body, such legislation should be had Ii
'Se the number of hours of daily toll will
~ reduced, giving the working classes nc
~ leisure for mental improvement and SOC
: ''n enjoyment and saving them from prematu
decay and death.
Tenth-The sdoptson of an Americ
M monetary system as proposed herein "
~ harmonic all differences in regard to tai
y and Federal taxation, redsce and equal
" the cost oftransportation Of by land and wat
'A distribte equitably the joint earnings
''s capital and labor, secure to the produc
su of wealth the results of their labor a
ios skill, muster out of the service the v
+ hordes of idlers who under the existing g.
=. tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othe
ln that every man and woman may by tn
'.a own efforts secure a competence SO Il
overgrown fortunes and extrme power
= will be seldom found within the limits
~ our Republic.
Eleventh-Both National and ST.
Government should establish bureaus