American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-05-25
The Pennsylvania National. Greenback.
Labor Platform.


The following is the full text of the
platform adopted by the recent Nation
al State Convention of Pennsylvania:
The United States. by reason of its vast terri
tory, fertile soil, variety of productions, rich
minerals and temperate climate, could. wisely
a population tenfoid greater than at present oc,
cupying it. Nevertheless. with an enterprising.
ar1sr e OF
Iate labor unemployed and starvation impend-
ng his IN the condition Ct affairs has been
Of the country by non-producers, and by legis-
lation in favor of non.productive capital, and as
try. The policy adopted has reduced the value
Of property, PUBLIC and private. over one-half.
g Thtt Natlonni, state municipal and private
such reduction. practically doubled. From such
policy the bankruptcy of the producing inter
ests has been natural and inevitable result.
For such control both the Republican and Dem
ocratic parties are responsible, as the wisdom of
M and sbe 9s the 4
adopted in Pennsylvania. Wisdom would die
meiit Of a wise and iudisious financial system
the country, but also the condemnation of the
people, manifested at the ballot-bO of the DEM
ocratic and Republican parties, by whom the pro-
trayed. Therefore it is
Resotred That neither the Democratic nor Re
confidence of the people or worthy of their sup
port, and that, their record in the past has been
the future as nnre be- az unworthy lns Of credit
and to be regarded AS pledges made under the
the pe n 70
layed.
Resolrtd, That we reaffim and indorse the plat
tona on TIE ed 81 F as 49,
Resot!ed That as the power to create money
and as. upon the regulation of the volume and
value of such money by wise and iudicious legis-
latien, depends the prosperity and the welfare Of
guarded and controiieG, and no power to regulate
either its volume or value should be given to
means of such powell could rubservs private
ends, and at will contract or expand the currency
and iabosing Interest," in absolute bondage.
sResoiced. That the present National Banking
system il not only buIdensome to the people by
reason of the substitution of inferior currency
for money at a heavy expense to the country, in
the useless payment of interest on bonds but by
tanning permanent control of the Government,
and are becoming the absolute masters of all
business interests Of the country and that in the
chanic and laborer. National Bank currency
should be withdrawn from circulation, and fun
ment in lieu thereof.
Reso,red, That as the wealth of the Nation is
founded on labor, the laborer should be protected
of labor should DO 70 limited as to afford the Ia
borer an Opportunity to cultivate his mental fac
ulties and enjoy rational social intercourse with
his friends; TO earn such reasonable wages as
may be an equitable proportion of the profits OF
his condition and obtain the comforts and iuxu-
ries of life. and thus by increasing consumption
abeT to educate 0 his Children and thms by
universal education elevate labor and the char
acter Of the laborer for the purpose of attaining
Resoiued, That the prison contract system
should be prohibited. That Federal. and State
limit the hours of labor. Tnat the manufacture
ing, mining, farming ard labOrers interests of
the country be protected:
and to effect this by the Government issuing full
legal tender money sufficient for the wants of
wise and judicious legislation.
2. BY the protection of American industrial,
by the enactment of tariff based on constitu-
tional limits for revenue. but with discrimina-
ton for the protection of labor, the farmer,
miner. the manufacturer and the producing in
8. By holding the pubs.s lands for the use Of
The actual settler, and nes to be granted as sub
grained. 10 hold such corporations to strict &C.
and where the terms of the grant
lands as having been forfeited and as having re-
4. BY opening new fields for labor in construct
" by the Government itself, or by rendering as
Instance, in no case to be in the form of subsi-
s. BY encouraging our ship-building interests,
American Ann i ships and to render such aid, under
proper guarantees against fraud. as will enable
American steamships to compete with foreign
,nes.
6. To afford q safe depository for money, and
70 protect people against fraud and loss occa-
postal depository system should be established,
from which; upon money being deposited Ger.
hptIId he nd VII
be payable on demand in full legaltender Gov
T. That We demand the repeal by the State Gov
of all charters and special privilege
with the present Constitution Of
sscertaincd, to be paid by the State.
8. That we demand the passage and enforce
hons determinations. granting of rebates by
companies, and compelling the
common carrier to furnish the same facilities
and perform the same service for the same price
9. That we. demand the immediate repeal of
10. That we demand the equal and Just taxa,
ion of all property whatsoever, except that used
by the Federal Government, and used or held for
ii. That we demand the payment of Govern
nent bonds according to the original contract
Resolred, That to significantly designate our
State organization, designed to secure financial
j Greenback Labor party of Pennsylvania.
The following resolution was also
adopted, and ordered to be inserted in
The platform:
WHEnEAs. The struggles of seven centuries for
,ivil liberty have In this country eliminated in
to all an equal right to the ballot: and
WHEREAS. We believe the intelligent and honest
exercise of this privilege judciously directed to
he finances of the country, will secure general
through more equitable distribution
If the products of labor; therefore,
Resolced That this Convention condemns all
Is ends believing that the happiness of the whole
people Gan only be permanently secured through