The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-15
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 subjoined resolutions, prefaceing
the reading with brief remarks to the Ell
feet that the Committee was singularly u
rited 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 depressed, bus
ness incomes and wages reduced unrpallel- |
ed distress inflicted upon the poor and MD
die 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 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 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
r der quality of Green backs, the changing of
. currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
, etization of the silver dollar, the excepting
lof boo tract of
] the circulating medium, the proposed
f forced resumption of specie payments
and the prodigal waste of the public
:. lands, were crimes against the people, and
i as far as possible, the results of these GRIM
v inal acts must be counteracted by judicious
Il legislation;
r. Therefore, we assemble in National Con-
# vention and make a declaratiog of our
o principles and invite all patriotic citizens
j to unite in an effort to secure financial re-
j. form and industrial emancipation.
II The organization shall be known the Ma
IF tional Party, and under this name we will
j, perfect, without delay, National, State and
s. local associations to secure the election to
le Office of such men only will pledge
" themselves to do all in their power to es.
a. tablish these principles.
ID First-It is the exclusive function of the
at General Government to coin and create mo-
W ney and regulate its value. All branch is
TX sues designed to circulate as money should
IN be suppressed. The circulating medium
al whether of metal or paper, shall be issued
es by the Government and made a full lega
m tender for all debts, duties and taxes in the
H. United States at its stamped value.
ir Second-There shall he no privileged
ir class of creditors-official salaries, pension
re bonds and other debts and obligations il
he the legal tender money ofthe United State
Id strictly according to the laws under which
be they were issued.
nd Third-That the coinage of silver b,
h. placed upon the same footing as that o
o. gold.
er Fourth-Congress shall provide sait
of money adequate to the full employment O
ng labor, the equitable distribution of it
yes products and the requirements of business
i'll fixing minimum amount per capita to tn
,g, population as near as may be, and other
u wise regulating its volume, by wise and
,ty quitable provisions of law, so that the rat
We of interest will secure to labor its Just re
IN. ward.
for Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu
Ike and spirit of popular Government that an
Is species of private property should be ez
ers empt from bearing its just share of th
he public burdens. Government bonds an
tie property, and graduated income ia
ill should be levied for the support of th
tor Government and the payment of its debt
nel Sixth-The public lands are the con
TT mon property of the whole people, an
nd should not be sold to spectators nor graz
be- ted to railroads or corporations, but shoul
inc be donated to actual settlers in limite
7ns quantities.
our Seventh-5The Government should, b
IN general enactment encourage the develo,
B., ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechai
rec ical, manufacturing and commercial resou
B., ces, to the end that labor may be fully en-
me ployed but no monopolies should be lega
oys lied.
&C. Eighth-All useless offices should be
for bolished the most rigid economy enforce
tax in every branch of the public service an
OILS, severe punishment inflicted upon public O
va ficers who betray the trusts reposed
tax them.
tax Ninth-As educated labor has devise
Of means for multiplying production by il
the vention and discoveries, and as their u
on requires the exercise of mind as well
the body, such legislation should be had TIL
b. the number of hours of daily toll will
18th reduced. giving the working classes mo
md leisure for mental improvement and soci
all enjoyment and saving them from prematu
one decay and death.
! of Tenth-The adoptson of an Americ;
tch monetary system as proposed herein wi
ON harmonize all differences in regard to tar
led and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
uld the cost oftransportation by land and wate
oost distribte equitably the joint earnings
nse capital and labor, secure to the produce
of wealth the results of their labor al
of skill, muster out of the service the va
My hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
pay tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othel
the that every man and woman may by the
nan own efforts secure competence so tn
iol- overgrown fortunes and extrme power
Der will be seldom found within the limits
in our Republic
ill Eleventh-Both National and Sta
in Government should establish bureaus
non labor and industrial atatstics, clothed wi
= or power of gathering and publishing Il
red | same,
~. Twelfth-That the contract system
lug employing labor in our prisons and refc
ar matory institutions works great injustice
ing our mechanics and artizans, and should
10 a prohibited.
ar Thireentn-The importation of seryi
an labnr in to the United States from China
,om q problem of the most serious importane
and we recommend legislation looking
uld its suppression.
-. G IL CAprv D,o.:Io-.