The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-06-27
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

Le reading with brief remarks to the et-
ct that the Committee was singularly u
tied in sentiment and that if the platform
lould meet with as unanimous favor in
lie Convention as it did in the Committee,
lere was hope for the country.
WHEREAS Throughout our entire coun-
~ the value of real estate is deprecated
Industry paralyzed, trade depressed, bus
ess incomes and wages reduced unrpallel-
d distress inflicted upon the poor and i'd
lie ranks of our people, the land filled
With fraud, embezzlement, bankruptcy, |
rhine, suffering, pauperism and starvation;
md,
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, Lave 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 o
currency bonds into coin bonds, the demon
etization of the silver dollar, the exceptin,
of bonds from taxation, the contraction o
the circulating medium, the proposed
forced resumption of specie payment
and the prodigal waste of the publ
lands, were crimes against the people, an
as far as possible, the results of these Grim
inal acts must be counteracted by judiciou
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Cor
vention and make declaratiog of ou
principles and invite all patriotic citizer
to unite in an effort to secure financial rs
form and industrial emancipation.
The organization shall be known the M
tional Party, and under this name We wi
perfect, without delay, National, State an
local associations to secure the election
office of such men only as will pledl
themselves to do all in their power to e
tablish these principles.
First-It is the exclusive function of Il
General Government to coin and create m
ney and regulate its value. All branch
sues designed to circulate as money shou.
be suppressed. The circulating mediur
, whether of metal or paper, shall be issu'
by the Government and made a full leg
tender for all debts, duties and taxes in t
United States at its stamped value.
Second-There shall he no privileg
class of creditors-oficial salaries, pensi
bonds and other debts and obligations
the legal tender money fthe United Sta
strictly according to the laws under viii
they were issued.
Z Third-That the coinage of silver
. placed upon the same footing as that
gold.
Fourth-Congress shall provide 81
money adequate to the full employment
labor, the equitable distribution of
products and the requirements of busint
fixing a minimum amount per capita to
population as near as may be, and 9th
wise regulating its volume, by wise and
quitable provisions of law, so that the r
of interest will secure to labor its just
ward.
Fifth-It is inconsistent with the gen
and spirit of popular Government that :
- species of private property should be
e empt from bearing its just share Of
public burdens Government tonds /;
money should be taxed precisely as OF
property, and graduated income
should be levied for the support of
Government and the payment of its de
Sixth-The public lands are the CT
mon property of the whole people,
should not be sold to spectators nor gr
ted to railroads or corporations, but sho
be donated to actual settlers in linn
y quantities.
Seventh-The Government should,
general enactment, encourage the deve
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecl
ical, manufacturing and commercial res
the ces, to the end that labor may be fully
], ployed. but no monopolies should be lie
VIC ized.
len Eighth--All useless offices should b.
nds bolished. the most rigid economy enfo
di. in every branch of the public service
-. severe punishment inflicted upon publ
'"'' ficers who betray the trusts reposet
ana them.
on Ninth-As educated labor has de,
yer. means for multiplying production by
EMS veDtion and discoveries, and as their
au requires the exercise Of mind as we
body, such legislation should be had
IVer the number of hours of daily toll vii
oms reduced, giving the working classes
n of leisure for mental improvement and g
!. % enjoyment and saving them from prem
vns decay and death.
' Tenth-The adoptson of an Anne
oses monetary system as proposed herein
harmonic all differences in regard to
and Federal taxation, reduce and eqr
the cost of transportation by land and v
:, distribte equitably the joint earnin
the capital and labor, secure to the prod
sue of wealth the results of their labor
able skill, muster out of the service the
am hordes of idlers who under the existin
tenn grow rich upon the earnings of o
'fee that every man and woman may by
able own efforts secure competence so
de- overgrown fortunes and extrme po
h 70 will be seldom found within the lin
our Republic.
Eleyenth-Both National and
Government should establish burea,
. labor and industrial atatistics, clothed
power of gathering and publishing
same.
Twelfth-That the contract syste
employing labor in our prisens and
matory institutions works great Unjust
our mechanics and artizans, and shou
prohibited.