The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-09-26
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

4De IcDOIB OF IGS SOHE1lItep on lSSOlQ-
tions and Platform was loudly called for
General Samuel F. Carey, as Chairman |
read the subioined resolutions, prefaceing |
the reading with brief remarks 10 the et-
feet that the Committee was singularly u
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 parnlyzed, trade 'pressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced nnTpallel-
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and i'd
die ranks of our people. the land filled
With fraud, embezzlenent, bankruptcy,
crime, suffering, pauperiEm 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 sp 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, have been unable hitherto to make
formidable oppositiod to old party organ
izalions, and,
WHEREAS The limiting Of the legl ten
der quality of Green backs, 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 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 rs 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.
suea designed to circulate as money should
, be suppressed. The circulating medium
, whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
: By the Government and made a full lega.
!! tender for all debts, duties and taxes in the
United States at it's stamped value.
r Second-There shall be no privileged
3 class of creditors-oficial salaries, pension
bonds and other debts and obligations il
the legal tender money ofthe United States
strictly according to the laws under which
9 they were issued.
/ Third-That the coinage of silver bs
3 placed upon the same footing as that O.
gold.
. Fourth-Congress shall provide sale
: money adequate to the full employment o
o labor, the equitable distribution of it
o products and the requirements of business
f fixing minimum amount per capita to thi
population as near as may be, and other
J wise regulating its volume, by wise and e
3 quitable provisions of law, so that the rat'
i of interest will secure to labor its just re
9 ward.
g Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
r and spirit of popular Government that an!
# species of private property should be ex
g empt from bearing its just share of tn
q public burdens. Government bonds ane
e money should be taxed precisely as othe
property, and q graduated income ia,
It should be levied for the support of tn
|, Government and the payment of its debts
v Sixth-The public lands are the com
), mon property of the whole people, ant
. should not be sold to spectators nor gran
e ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul'
il be donated to actual settlers in Hmite'
quantities.
n Seventh-The Government should, b.
: general enactment, encourage the develop
IS ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechan
II ical, manufacturing and commercial resouI
IS ces, to the end that labor may be fully EN-
e, ployed, but no monopolies should be legal
g lied.
E. Eighth-All useless Offices should be q
y bolished the most rigid economy enforce
l. in every branch of the public service an
ID severe punishment inflicted upon public o
ficers who betray the trusts reposed i
lie them.
n Ninth-As educated labor has devise
le means for multiplying production by il
c. veption and discoveries, and as their uf
r. requires the exercise Of mind as we'll {
1T body, such legislation should be had th,
the number of hours of daily toll will
W reduced, giving the working classes MOI
is leisure for mental improvement and soci,
enjoyment and saving them from prematul
ty decay and death.
10 Tenth-The adoptson of an America
y monetary system ns proposed herein wi
IS. harmonic all differences in regard to tari
and Federal taxation, reduce and equali,
n, the cost oftransportation of by land and waite
st distribte equitably the joint earnings
ne capital and labor, secure to the produce
y. of wealth the results Of their labor ar
OF skill, muster out of the service the va
II hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
OF tenn grow rich upon the earnings of other
e. that every man and woman may by the
al own efforts secure competence so III
TO overgrown fortunes and extrme povert
or will be seldom found within the limits
ng our Republic.
~ IN Eleventh-Both National and Sta
~ Government should establish bureaus
" ~ labor and industrial atatistics, clothed wi
o power of gathering and publishing Il
i same.
w. Twelhh-That the contract aystem
.e' employing labor in our prisons and refo
- matory institutions works great injustice
q" our mechanics and artizans, and should
=. prohibited.
ih Thireentn-The importation of servi
labnr in TO the United States from China
n a problem of the most serious importanc
rse and we recommend legislation looking
90 its suppression.
= 8. F, CAREY, President.
poDTNcnN Gooyotayv