The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-05-30
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

the reading with brief remarks to the ef-
feet that the Committee was singularly u
, ted in sentiment and that if the platform
81 ould meet with as unanimous favor in
the Convention as 1t did in the Committee,
there was hope for the country.
WHEREAS. Throughout our entire coun-
Try the value of real estate is deprecated
industry .,--alyzed, 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 bopdholders: 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, ls ve been unable hitherto to make
formidable oppositiod to old party organ
izalions, and,
WHEREAS, The limiting of the legl ten
der quality OF Geeenbaol1s, the changing of
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
etization of the esilver 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 possible, the results of these Grim
inal acts must be counteracted by iudicious
legislation;
Therefors, we assemble in National Con
yention aad mako q declaratiog of our
principles and invite all patriotic citizens
to unite In an effort to secure financial re-
form and industrial emancipation.
Tbs. 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--It is the exclusive function of the
General Government to coin and create mo.
ney and regulate its value. All branch is.
be suppressed. The circulating medium,
whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
by the Government and made a full legaI
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 il
. the legal tender money ofthe United Statei
strictly according to the laws under which
!, they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver b.
placed upon the same footing as that o
), gold.
@ money adequate to the full employment o
labor, the equitable distribution of it
>. products and the requirements of business
Is fixing a 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
d ward.
n Fifth-It is inconsistens with the geniu
er and spirit of popular Government that an
d species of private property should. be ez
e I empt from bearing its just share of th
3r public burdens. Government bonds an
ar money should be taxed precisely as othe
te property, and graduated income ia
se Government and the payment Of its debt
OF Sixth-The pabiic lands are the con
i mon property of the whole people, an
at should not be sold to speeulstors nor graz
ID ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul
Id be donated to acteaaG settlers in limite
"a quantities.
NJ Seventh--The Government should,
ce general enactment, encourage the develo
rs ment of cur agricultural, mineral, mocha
Id ical, manu- nufacturing and commercial resou
DO ces, to the end that labor may be fully er
he ployed. but no monopolies should be legs
rs, lied.
OF Eighth-All useless offices should be
he bolished the most rigid economy enforc
id. in every branch of the public service al
he severe Punishment inflicted upon public
Ill. ficers who betray the trusts reposed
them.
Ninth-As educated labor has devils
~ means for multiplying production by
vention and discoveries, and their l
~ :, requires the exercise of mind as we'll
o body, such legislation should be had Il
s"' the number of hours of daily toll will
reduced, giving the working classes me-
% leisure for mental improvement and soc
:, - enjoyment and saving them from prematt
'ne decay and death.
Tenth-The adoptson of an Amerie
EY monetary system as proposed herein "
md harmonic all differences in regard to tai
.tc and Federal taxation, reduce and equal
er- the cost oftransportation by land and wat
wn distribte equitably the joint earnings
ted capital and labor, secure to the produc
nth of wealth the results of their labor a
;es skill, muster out of the service the v
Tho hordes of idlers who under the existing s
ew tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othe
coo that every man and woman may by tn
nlv own efforts secure competence SO II
,bt overgrown fortunes and extrme power
r,v will be seldom found within the limits