The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-04-18
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

he Convention as it did in the Committee,
here was hope for the country.
WHEREAS. Throughout our entire coun-
.ry the value of real estate is deprecated
industry paralyzed, trade depressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced, unrpallel-
I'd distress inflicted upon the poor and mid
lie 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 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 of 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 iudicious
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 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
sues 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 legal
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.
Fourth-Congress shall provide sal,
money adequate to the full employment @
! labor, the equitable distribution of it
products and the requirements of business
!, fixing minimum amount per capita to tn
= population as near as may be, and othel
= wise regulating its volume, by wise and
f quitable provisions of law, 80 that the raj
of interest will secure to labor its just r,
h ward.
= Fifth-It is inconsistent with the GENT
. and spirit of popular Government that an
e species of private property should be e,
Ie empt from bearing its just share of Il
a public burdens. Government bonds an
money should be taxed precisely as 9TH
a. property, and a graduated income ia
N should be levied for the support of Il
id Government and the payment of its debi
$; Sixth-The public lands are the cor
$, mon property of the whole people, al
:, should not be sold to Spectators nor gra,
y ted to railroads or corporations, but shou
" be donated to actual settlers in limit
~ quantities.
90 Seventh-The Government should,
90 general enactment, encourage the develo
90 ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecha
ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
''' ces, to the end that labor may be fully Ell
ployed, but no monopolies should be legs
lied.
Eighth-All useless Offices should be
bolished the most rigid economy enforc
N in every branch of the public service al
severe punishment inflicted upon public
hn hatr
tie them.
I Ninth-As educated labor has devils
id means for multiplying production by
tie vention and discoveries, and as their L
he requires the exercise of mind as we'll
ne ne 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
ss enjoyment and saving them from prematu
decay and death.
Tenth-The adoptson of an Americ
90 90 monetary system as proposed herein W
II harmonic all differences in regard to tar
be 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,
Dr. skill, muster out of the service the v,
hordes of idlers who under the existing s,
ci- tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othe
Iee ie that every man and woman may by the
ar own efforts secure a competence SO tn
or,
'E, oVerBroWn fortunes and eXtrme power
o. will be seldom found within the limits
IT. our Republic.
es Eleventh-Both National and Sta
w S Government should establish bureaus
ne labor and industrial atatistics, clothed wi
w. " =
Ii power of gathering and publishing Il
OF same.
il Twelfth-That the contract system