The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-09-12
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

tions and Platform was loudly called for
General Samuel T. Carey, as Chairman
read the subjoined resolutions, Prefaceing
the reading with brief remarks to the ef-
feet that the Committee was singularly u
Cited in sentiment and that ii the platform
should meet with as unanimous favor in
the Convention as il 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 dressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced .lrpallel-
cd distress inflicted upon the poor and i'd
de ranks Of our people, the land ailei
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 boudholders: 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
elective, have been unable hitherto to make
a 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 judicious
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con,
vention and make a declaratiog of ou1
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 ant
local associations to secure the election tt
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 tn,
General Government to coin and create mo
ney and regulate its value. All branch is
sues designed 10 circulate as money should
be suppressed. The circulating modium
whether of metal or paper, shall be ISSUED
by the Government and made a full legs
tender for all debts, duties and taxes in th
United States at its stamped value.
Il acre shall he no privileged
.,a-- Of creditors-ofiicial salaries, pension
bonds and other debts and obligations il
ie legal tender money ofthe United State
rIctly according TO the laws under wbicl
they were issued.
Tbird-That the coinage of silver b
placed upon the same footing as that o
gold
Fourth-Congross shall provide sal,
money adequate to the full employment Q
labor, the equitable distribution of it
products and the requirements of busineg;
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 lust re
ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
and spirit of popular Government that an
species of private property should be ez
empt from bearing its just share of tn
public burdens. Government bonds an
money should be taxed precisely as othe
property, and a graduated income ia
should be levied for the support of th
Governmant and the payment of its debt
Si1th-The public lands are the eoa4
mon property of the whole people, an
should not be sold to spectators nor graz
ted to railroads or corporations but shoul
be donated to actual settlers in limite
quantities.
Seventh-The Government should, /
general enactment, encourage the develo]
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechal
ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
ces, to the end that labor may be fully en-
ployed, but no monopolies should be lega
lied.
Eighth-All useless offices should be
bolished the most rigid economy enforc'
in every branch of the public service al
severe punishment inflicted upon public
ficers who betray the trusts reposed
them.
Ninth-As educated labor has devils
means for multiplying production by
vention and discoveries, and as their L
requires the exercise of mind as we'll
body, such legislation should be had th
the number of hours of daily toll will
reduced. giving the working classes me
leisure for mental improvement and soci
enjoyment and saving them from prematu
decay and death.
Tenth-The adopts0n of an Americ
monetary system as proposed herein "
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 produc
of wealth the results of their labor a
skill, muster out of the service the v
hordes of idlers who under the existing S
m TEN grow rich upon the earnings of othe
n that every man and woman may by tn
own efforts secure a competence so Il
al overgrown fortunes and extrme power
Id Will be seldom found within the limits
\ our Republic
VI Eleventh National and ST.
u Government should establish bureaus
'f labor and industrial atnfistics, clothed w
6 power of gathering and publishing I
s@ same.
Twelfth-That the contract system
employing labor in our prisons and ref
matory institutions works great injustice
our mechanics and artizans, and should
prohibited
Thireentn-The importation of serv
labnr in to the United States from China
a problem of the most serious importan
and we recommend legislation looking
its suppression.
s. F, CAREY, President
III. A. ROBINSON, Secretary.
II L r L