The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-10-03
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

The report of the Committee on Resolu-
tions and Platform was loudly called for
General Samuel F. Carey, as Chairman
read the subioined resolutions, prefaceing
the reading with brief remarks to the et
feet that the Committee was singularly IL
Eited 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 ! pressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced nnrpallel
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and id
die ranks of our people, the land tillei
with fraud, embezziement, bankruptcy.
crime, suffering, panperism 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 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 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 were crimes against the people, and
as far as possible, the results of these Grim
inal acts must be counteracted by Judlclous
legislation;
Therefore. we assemble in National Con-
yention 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-It is the exclusive function of the
General Government to coin and create mo.
nev and regulate its value. All branch is
, sues designed to circulate as money should
be suppressed. The circulating medium
} wh,'' e.; # metal or paper, shall be issued
) by the Government and made 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 of the United States
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.
r Fourth-Congress shall provide sait
money adequate to the full employment o
t labor, the equitable distribution of it
n products and the requirements Of business
fixing o minimum amount per capita to tn
population as near as may be, and other
= wise regulating its volume, by wise and e
uuitable provisions of law, so that the rat
of interest will secure to labor its just re
o ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
| anu SplI1t vi pOpu1dI thoI al
'e species of private property should be eS
empt from bearing its just share of tn
public burdens. Government bonds an
e- money should be taxed precisely as othe
, property, and a graduated income ia
D should be levied for the support of ii
Government and the payment of its dehi
I'd Sixth-The public lands are the con
mon property of the whole people, All
should not be sold to speculators nor graz
ds ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul
be donated to actual settlers in hmite
quantities.
Seventh-The Government should,
general enactment, encourage the develo
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecha
nft at ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
IS, ces, to the end that labor may be fully er
as ployed, but no monopolies should be lega
~, on lied.
ct, Eighth-All useless offices should be
OF bolished the most rigid economy enforc
''eep 'epp in every branch of the public service al
ag- severe punishment inflicted upon public {
per ficers who betray the trusts reposed
ed. them.
ses Ninth-As educated labor has devils
ed; means for multiplying production by
cba vention and discoveries, and as their L
Sc requires the exercise of mind as we'll
body, such legislation should be had ii
the number of hours of daily toll will
reduced, giving the working classes me
- leisure for mental improvement and soc
enjoyment and saving them frem prematu
decay and death.
Tenth-The adoptson of an Americ
monetary system as proposed herein W
harmonic all differences in regard to tai
and Federal taxation, reduce and equal
the cost of transportation by land and wat
distribte equitably the joint earnings
capital and labor, secure to the produce
of wealth the results of their labor a
skill, muster out of the service the VI
hordes of idlers who under the existing s.
tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othe
that every man and woman may by tn
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
labor and industrial atatistics, clothed W
power of gathering and publishing
same.
Twelfth-That the contract system
UT employing labor in our prisons and ref
matory institutions works great in iustice
+ our mechanics and artizans, and should
prohibited.
Thireentn-The importation Of serv
labnr in to the United States from Chinf
a problem of the most serious importar
and we recommend legislation looking
its suppression.
G r CAREY Presidapi