The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-04-04
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, pEefaceing |
the reading with brief remarks to the eff |
feet that the Committee was singularly u
Eited in sentiment and that if the platform
should meet with az 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 depressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced, unrpallel-
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and mid
die ranks of our people, the land filed
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 bopdholders: 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
a WHEREAS, The Independent Greenback
party, and other associations more or less
effective, have been unable hitherto to make
a formidable oppositiod to old party organ
: izalions, and,
4 WHEREAS, The limiting of the legl ten
O der quality of Greenbacks, the changing of
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
! etization of the silver dollar, the excepting
N OF bonds from taxation, the contraction of
v the circulating medium, the proposed
forced resumption of specie payments
f and the prodigal waste of the public
ia 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
g principles and invite all patriotic citizens
to unite in an effort to secure financial re-
7 form and industrial emancipation.
r 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
a., 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
re General Government to coin and create mo.
ls ney and regulate its value. All branch is.
y sues designed to circulate as money should
m be suppressed. The circulating medium
d, whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
r. by the Government and made a full lega
D. tender for all debts, duties and taxes in tn
re United States at its stamped value.
d, Second-There shall be no privilege,
to class of creditors official salaries, pension
ID, bonds and other debts and obligations i
the legal tender money of the United State
strictly according to the laws under whic
they were issued.
-
placed upon the same footing as that {
os gold.
-. Fourth-Congress shall provide sal
:, money adequate to the full employment
labor, the equitable distribution of i
= products and the requirements of bushes
fixing minimum amount per capita to Il
population as near as may be, and othe
- wise regulating its volume, by wise and
.' quitable provisions of law, so that the ra
me of interest will secure to labor its just L
ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geni1
and spiris of popular Government that al
~ species of private property should be e
empt from bearing its just share Of Il
public burdens. Government bonds al
money should be taxed precisely as 9th
should be levied for the support of Il
Government and the payment of its deb
Sixth-The public lands are the COZ
mon property of the whole people, al
1ill ted to railroads or corporations, but shou
ry, be donated to actual settlers in limit
"a quantities.
hat Seventh-The Government should,
ne general enactment, encourage the develo
let ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecha
,.d Al ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
ich ces, to the end that labor may be fully Ell
ard ployed, but no monopolies should be legi
OF lied
.s a. Eighth-All useless offices should be
bolished the most rigid economy enforc
in every branch of the public service al
or severe punishment inflicted upon public
fcers who betray the trusts reposed
use them.
cen Nlnth-As educated labor has devils
rry means for multiplying production by
-. vention and discoveries, and as their L
at requires the exercise of mind as we'll
of body, such legislation should be had th
the number of hours of daily toll will
l. reduced, giving the working classes me
rE leisure for mental improvement and soci
t of enjoyment and saving them from prematu
as as decay and death.
1eHtH-1ue duOptsOu OI all Aluerlc
monetary system as proposed herein W
lock harmonic all differences in regard to tar
cry and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
hio the cost oftransportation of by land and watt
rter distribte equitably the joint earnings
ing capital and labor. secure to the produce
With of wealth the results of their labor al
: $50 So skill, muster out of the service the va
hordes of idlers who under the existing sy