The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-29
THE NATIONAL PLATFORM.

tions and Platform was loudly called for
General Samuel T. Carey, as Chairman
read the subjoined resolutions, prefaceing
the reading with brief remarks to the et-
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 i'd :
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 fthe 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 Green back
party; and other associations more or less
effective, have been unable hitherto to make
a formidable oppositiod to old party organ
izalions, and,
WHEREAS, The limiting of the legl ten
der quality of Green nbacks, 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 judicious
legislation;
Therefore, we assemble in National Con.
vention and make a declaratiog of oul
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 tc
Office of such men only as will pledge
| themselves TO do all in their power to es.
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 he no privileged
class of creditors-official salaries, pension
| bonds and other debts and obligations in
the legal tender money of the 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
| of interest will secure to labor its lust re-.
ward
| Fifth-1t is inconsistent with the genius
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 other
property, and graduated income tax
should be levied for the support of the
Government and the payment of its debts
Sixth-The public lands are the com.
mon property of the whole people, and
should not be sold to spectators nor gran
ted to railroads OF corporations, but should
be donated to actual settlers in limited
quantities.
Seventh-The Government should, by
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
ized
Eighth-All useless offices should be a
bolished the most rigid economy enforced
in every branch of the public service and
severe punishment inflicted upon public Of
ficers who hetray the trusts reposed il
them.
Ninth-As educated labor has devised
means for multiplying production by in
vention and discoveries, and as their ust
requires the exercise of mind as we'll al
body, such legislation should be had tha
the number of hours of daily toll will bt
reduced, giving the working classes more
leisure fos mental improvement and socia
enjoyment and saving them from prematur,
decay and death.
Tenth-The adoptson of an American
monetary system as proposed herein will
harmonic all differences in regard to tariff
and Federal taxation, reduce and equaliz,
the cost oftransportation by land and water
distribte equitably the joint earnings o
capital and labor, secure to the producer
of wealth the results of their labor ant
Skill muster out of the service the vas
hordes of idlers who under the existing sys
tenn grow rich upon the earnings of others
that every man and woman may by thei,
own efforts secure a competence so tha
overgrown fortunes and extrme poverty
will be seldom found within the limits O
our Republic.
Eleventh-Both National and Stat,
labor and industrial atatistics, clothed will
power of gathering and publishing the
same.
Twelfth-That the contract system OF
employing labor in our prisens and refor
matory institutions works great injustice tC
our mechanics and artizans, and should be
prohibited.
Thireentn-The importation of servilt
labnr in to the United States from China il
n problem of the most serious importance
and we recommend legislation looking tt
its suppression.
$. L, CAREY, President.
II, A. ROBINSON, Secretary.