Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-04-17
Iowa GreenbackerS.

Iowa Greenbackers.
The greenbackers national state con
vention met at Des Moines on the 10th
about one hundred delegates were pres
ent representing from one half to two
thirds of the counties. E. N. GATES O.
jasper county was temporary and per
rmanent chairman. The following plat
form was adodted without debate anC
by unanimous vote:
WHEREAS, Throughout our entire
country the value of real estate is
deprecated, industry paralized, trade
depressed, business incomes and wages
reduced, unparalleled distress inflicted
upon the poorer and middle ranks oil
our people, the land filled with fraud
embezzlement, bankruptcy, crime. suf
fering, pauperism, and starvation; and
WHEREAS, This state of things has
been brought about by legislation in the
interest Of and dictated by money-lend
ers, bankers, and bondholders; and
WHEREAS, The limiting of the legal
tender quality fgreenbacks, the chang
ing of currency bonds into coin bonds
the demonetizing of the silver dollar
the exempting of bonds from taxation
the contraction of the circulating me-
dunn, the proposed forced resumption
of specie payments, and the prodiga]
waste Of the public lands, were crimes
against the people, and, SO far as posi-
BILE, the results of these criminal acts
must be counteracted by judicial legis-
lation.
l. We demand the unconditional re
peal of the Specie-Resumption act OF
Jan. IA, 1875, and the abandonment OF
the present suicidal and destructive
policy of contraction.
2. We demand the abolition of the
National Banks, and the issue of a full
legal-tender paper money by the Gov
eminent, and receivable for all dues
public and private.
5 We demand the reconciliation of
the silver dollar, making it a full legal
tender for the payment of all coin bonds
Of the Government. and for all other
debts, public and private, and that the
coinage of silver shall be placed on the
same footing as that of gold.
4. Congress shall provide the said
money adequate to a full employment,
an equitable distribution of products,
and the requirements of business.
.. We demand that Congress shall
not, under any circumstances, authorize
the issuance Understanding bonds of
any kind or class.
=. The adoption of an American
monetary system as proposed herein
will harmonic all differences in regard
to tariff and federal taxation, distribute
equitably the joint earnings of capital
and labor, secure to producers of wealth
the results of their labor and skill,
muster out of service vast army of
'idlers, who under the existing system,
grow rich upon the earnings of others,
that every man orwoman may, by their
own efforts, secure a competency, SO
that OvergrOwn fortunes and extreme
poverty will be seldom found within
the limits Of our republic.
Z. The government should, by gener-
al enactment, encourage the develop
ment of our agricultural, mineral,
mechanical, manufacturing, and COM
merclal resources, to the end that labor
may be fully and profitably employed,
but no monopolies should be legalized.
8. The public lands are the common
property of the whole people, and
should not be sold to SPECTATORS, nor
granted to railroads or other corpora
tons, but should be donated to actual
settlers In limited quantities.
8. 1t Is inconsistent with the genius
and spirit of popular governm ent that
any species of private or corporate
property should be exempt from bear
ing Its just share of public burdens.
To. While the interests of labor and
the producing classes throughout the
nation are Identical, north, south. east,
and west, and while it is an historic
fact that the war of the rebellion was
lnaugurated in the interests of a class
kindred to that which Expresses us,
therefore, we declare that the govern
ment of the United States shall never
pay any part or portion Of what is
known as the confederate or rebel
debt.
IL. We demand a constitutional
amendment fixing the compensation of
all state officers, including members
and employees of the general assembly.
We demand general reduction OF
county and court expenses, with re-
duction Of offices, to lessen oppressive
taxes.
II. We demand that all Just and legal
means shall be used for the suppression
of the evils of intemperance. We in
vite the considerate Judgment of our
fellow-citizens Of all political parties
upon these our principles and purposes
and solicit the cooperation of all men
IN furtherance of them, as we do believe
that upon their acceptance or rejection
by the people the veal or woe of our
beloved country depends.
NOMINATIONS.
The following ticket was nominated:
Secretrry of State, M. Farnsworth, OF
Winneshiek; Treasurer, M. L. Devlin,
of Polk; Auditor: S. V. Sauearinger, OF
Fremont; Register of the State Land
Offion M Earrinrtnn of Prov, A.