The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-28

Sylvania had been misrepresented.
The $4,000 greenback votes of Penn
sylvania came from a party which
advocates the broadcast kind Of pro-
tectiOn-the protection Of labor
against capital and against the eNtor-
tions of usurers-the protection Of
men and their families against trans
portation monopolists. He said pro-
lection should be applied to the agri-
cultural interests Of the Mississippi
valley, that they should be shielded
from the combination of trunk lines,
and remarked incidentally that he
and the party favored eminent do
main in respect to cottagers against
railroads.
In closing he predicted the adoption
here of a national platform that
would with grand force carry into
high places it's standard bearers in
1880. and warned the convention not
to be shared by the broken promises
which were now being renewed by
conventions of other parties in order
to capture greenbackers in the COM
ing national elections.
The report Of the committee on
resolutions not being yet ready the
convention took recess at 5.45 till
7 o'clock.
THE PLATFORM.
! At o'clock the convention reaSsembled,
and the following platform was Immediately
read:
WHEREAS, Throughout our entire country
the value of real estate is deprecated. indus
try paraiyzed. trade depressed, business in
comes and wages reduced, unparalleled dis
tress inflicted upon the poorer and middle
ranks of our people. the land filled with
fraud, embezzlement, bankruptcy, crime.
suffering, pauperism and starvation;
WHEREAS, This state of things has been
brought about by legislation in the interest
of and dictated by money lenders, bankers
and bondholders; and
WHERE'S, while we recognize the TACT that
men in Congress connected with both the
old political 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 or the Democratic
parties, in their national policies. propose
remedies for the existing evils; and
WHEREAS, the Independent greenback par
ty and other associations, more or less eff
fective. have been unable, heretofore, to make
a formidable opposition to the old party or
ganizations, and
WHEREAS, The limiting of the legal ten
der quality of greenbacks, the changing OF
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
etizing of the silver dollar, the excepting OF
bonds from taxation, the contraction of the
circulating medium, the proposed forced re-
sumption of the specie payments, and the
prodigal waste of the public lands, were
crimes against the people, and as far as
possible the results of these criminal acts
must be counteracted by judicious legisla-
ton.
THEREFORE,. We assemble in national con-
yention and make declaration Of our prin-
ciples, and invite all patriotic citizens to
unite in an effort to secure financial reform
and industrial emancipation. The organiza-
ton shall be known as the National 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 them
selves to do all in their power
to establish these principles.
First-It is the exclusive function Of tht
general government to coin and create
; money and regulate its value. All bank is
sues designed to circulate as money should
be suppressed, theft circulating medium
whether Of metal or Of paper, should be
issued by the government and made full
legal tender for all debts, duties, and taxes
in the United States at its stamped value.
q Second-Ihere shall be no privileged class
of creditors. Official salaries, pensions
bonds and all other debts and obligations
public and private, shall be discharged in tn
, legal tender money OF the United States
strictly according to the reputation of tha
!. lawn under which they were contracted.
J Third-That the coinage of silver b
: placed ON the Same footing ~ that Of gold
, FOURTH Congress shall provide sai,
t money. adequate to the full employment d
? labor the equitable distribution Of its pro
\ ducts,a and the requirementsof business, 6xint
. . minimum amount per capita to the popula
, tioo. as near a. may be, and otherwise regu
: lating its volume by wise and equitable pro
visions Of Law. SO that the rate Of interes
: will secure to labor its just reward.
Fifth-H is inconsistent with the geniuI
! and spirit of popular government that an
]. spsciea Of private property should be 81
3 empt from bearing its just share Of the pub
+ lie burdens Government and money shoul
2 be taxed precisely - other property, and
: graduated income tar should Be levied 70
i the sup ort Of Government, and the pay
= ment of its debt
. Sixth-The public lands are the common
property of the whole people, and should no
be sold TO spectators. nor granted 10 rail
!. roads, or other corporations, but should b
donated to actual settlers in limited quaint
ties.
r Seventh-The government should By gen
e srai enacsments encourage the development
| Of our agricultural. mineral. mechanical
6 manufacturing and commercial resources, 3
q the end that labor may be fully and profit
!. ably employed but no monopoiies should b
. legaiized
4 EiRhth-An usaia0 Offices should be abo
! ished. the most rigid economy enforced i
. every branch Of the public service and sever
= puuishments inflicted upon public officer
Who bekray the trust reposed IN them
Emth-As edncated labor has devise
q means fnr multiplying production BY inysn
i, tion and discoveries. and - their uss n
l. quirs ths exsEciss Of Mid - veil - body