The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-05-23
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 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, 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 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 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 iudieious
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 1t 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 legal
tender for all debts, duties and taxes in the
United States at its stamped value.
; Second-There shall he no privileged
class of creditors official salaries, pension
: bonds and other debts and obligations in
the legal tender money ofthe 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 o.
gold.
Fourth-Congress shall provide sale
money adequate to the full employment o
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 other
wise regulating its volume, by wise and e
). 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
o species of private property should be ex
=, empt from bearing its just share of th
:, public burdens. Government bonds ant
n money should be taxed precisely as otAe
;. property, and graduated income ta
should be levied for the support of tn
. Government and the payment Of It's debit
Sixth-The public lands are the com
mon property of the whole people, an
should not be sold to.speoulators nor gran
ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul
i, be donated to actual settlers in limite
quantities.
:, Seventh-The. Government should,
general enactment, encourage the develop
Al ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechar
ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
:, ces, to the end that labor may be fully en-
ployed, but no monopolies should be leea
ized.
Eighth-An useless offices should be
:: bolished the most rigid economy enforce
in every branch of the public service an
severe punishment Inflicted upon public o
fcers who betray the trusts reposed
them.
Ninth-As educated labor has devise
means for multiplying productioa 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
b. leisure for mental improvement and soci
No enjoyment and saving there from prematu
- decay and death.
"a Tenth-The adopsson of an Americs
10: monetary system as proposed herein wi
10 harmonic all differences in regard to tari
- and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
se. the cost Transportation by land and waite
distribte equitably the joint earnings
capital and labor, secure to the produce
of wealth the results of their labor On
skill, muster out of the service the va
81 hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
We tenn grow rich upon the earnings of other
r. that every man and woman may by the
as own efforts secure competence SO thl
es overgrown fortunes and extrme povert
ct will be seldom found within the limits
ed Our RaDnhlic