The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-04-25
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.


the reading with brief remarks to the eff
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 mid
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 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 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 eenbacks, 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 a 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-oficial salaries, pension
bonds and other debts and obligations in
the legal tender money of fthe United States
strictly according to the laws under which
they were issued.
Third-That the coinage of silver be
placed upon the same footing as that of
gold.
Fourth-Congress shall provide said
money adequate TO the full employment Of
labor, the equitable distribution of its
products and the requirements of business
fixing minimum amount per capita to the
population as near as may be, and other
wise regulating its volume, by wise and e
quitable provisions of law, SO that the rate
| - -
ward.
. Fifth-It is inconsistent with the geniu:
and spirit of popular Government that any
species of private property should be ex
empt from bearing its just share of the
public burdens. Government bonds and
money should be taxed precisely as othel
property, and a graduated income taz
! should be levied for the support of the
Q Government and the payment of its debts
: Sixth-The public lands are the com
mon property of the whole people, ant
should not be sold to spectators nor gran
. ted to railroads or corporations, but should
be donated to actual settlers in limited
quantities.
Seventh-The Government should, b,
general enactment, encourage the develop
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mechan
ical, manufacturing and commercial resour
$ ces, to the end that labor may be fully EN-
ployed, but no monopolies should be legal
Il ized
Eighth-All useless offices should be a
bolished the most rigid economy enforced
g in every branch of the public service ant
severe punishment inflicted upon public OF
fcers who betray the trusts reposed il
e them.
y Ninth-As educated labor has devise,
!" means for multiplying production by in
ventien and discoveries, and as their US
requires the exercise of mind as we'll a
body, such legislation should be had tha
the number of hours of daily toll will b
, reduced, giving the working classes NOR
> leisure for mental improvement and socia
enjoyment and saving them from prematur
decay and DEATH
y Tenth-The adoptson of an America
,e monetary system us proposed herein wi
q harmonic all differences in regard to tari
ID and Federal taxation, reduce and equaliz
the cost oftransportation of by land and waite
lg distribte equitably the joint earnings {
capital and labor, secure to the producer
n. of wealth the results of their labor an
ut skill, muster out of the service the va!
hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
;" tenn grow rich upon the earnings of other
Is that every man and woman may by thei
overgrown fortunes and extrme povert
will be seldom found within the limits
our Republic.