The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-04-11
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 ef-
feet that the Committee was singularly u
Eited 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 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 bondholders and,
Whereas, While We recognize the fact
that men in Congress connected with both
the old parties have stood up msnfully 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
der quality of Green backs, 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 counteraeted 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 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-official salaries, pension
bonds and other debts and obligations il
the legal tender money ofthe United State
strictly according to the laws under which
Q they were issued.
l. Third-That the coinage of silver b.
n placed upon the same footing as that o
gold.
1t Fourth-Congress shall provide SAT-
N money adequate to the full employment Q
labor, the equitable distribution of it
products and the requirements of business
fixing minimum amount per capita to tn
population as near as may be, and othe,
= wise regulating its volume, by wise and {
'e quitable provisions of law, so that the raj
+ of interest will secure to labor its just rt
As ward.
es Fifth-It is inconsistent with the GENT
e' and spirit of popular Government that an
'u species of private property should be e1
p F. empt from bearing its just share of II
public burdens Government bonds an
=, = money should be taxed precisely as 9th,
property, and a graduated income ia
:. should be levied for the support of Il
Government and the payment of its debt
10, Sixth-The public lands are the cor
A. mon property of the whole people, ar
should not be sold to spectators nor graz
ted to railroads OF corporations, but shou,
be donated to actual settlers in limitt
:, quantities.
Seventh-The Government should,
general enactment, encourage the develo
ment of our agricultural, mineral, mecha
icsl, manufacturing and commercial resou
ces, to the end that labor may be fully er
I,,k L l.
; lied.
ill Eighth-All useless Offices should be
ry, bolished the most rigid economy enforc
il in every branch Of the public service al
no severe punishment inflicted upon public {
aa ,a icers who betray the trusts reposed
let them.
in Ninth-As educated labor has devils
'ob oh means for multiplying production by
nd vention and discoveries, and as their u
of requires the exercise Of mind as we'll
at body, such legislation should be had th
n's the number of hours of daily toll will
reduced, giving the working classes mo
,E. leisure for mental improvement and soci
/ Of enjoyment and saving them from prematu
sa5 aST decay and death.
ler- Tenth-The adoptson of an Americ
monetary system as proposed herein W
ock harmonic all differences in regard to tar
sif. sify and Federal taxation, reduce and equali
aio, the cost oftransportation by land and wat,
ter distribte equitably the joint earnings
1hg ,aig capital and labor, secure to the produce
18th of wealth the results of their labor al
;, So skill, muster out of the service the va
+bo hordes of idlers who under the existing sy
and tenn grow rich upon the earnings of othe,
the that every man and woman may by the
ana own efforts secure competence SO tn
nth ovarorowp fortunes apJ axtrp,o ,or..