The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-03-11
Platform Of the GrcenDack Labor
Party


Platform Of the GrcenDnck Labor
Party.
The following platform was read by Brick
Pomeroy at the St. Louis convention and
adopted;
That we, sovereign citizens OF tho United
States, living under n government of the
people for the people, who have absolute
power 10 make all laws and to elect oil public
servants 10 administer them for tho greatest
good to the greatest number, irrespective Of
creed, sex, color or past condition of allegi-
ance or servitude, in national convention
assembled, in the city Of 81. Louis on the
4th of March, 1880, declare as follows; and
in behalf Of the greenback organization Of
tho people Of the United States, We pledge
our lives, our fortunes, our sympathy, CO.
operation sacred honor and earnestness of
effort to gain the following objects
l. The maintaining of party Of the peo-
Pile of the United States Of America ire
spective of creed, sex, color or condition in
life entirely distinct from and in determined
opposition TO both OF the old parties known
as the Republican and Democratic parties,
and that we hold 1t to be matter Of sacred
principle not TO coalesce or affiliate with
either of said parties for any object or prin-
ciple whatever.
2. That, rs we have forever abandoned the
old parties because we differ from them on
principles and on account other corruption,
disregarded of promises, the constitution and
the rights of the industrial element that alone
makes country prosperous and attractive
and government powerful, weinvite all hon
est, industrious citizens Of the United States to
come out from the old and into the new
party to make 1t stronger and more worthy
the respect of man and the favor of that
higher power that is above all earthly or hu-
man law.
That we pledge ourselves TO the accom-
plishment Of the following purposes MS en-
braced in our platform and principles:
The greenback dollar must be n legal-ten-
der for The payment of all debts, and by
government issued, protected and received rs
absolute money.
The general government alone to issue
money, and this for the benefit of all.
That all rights and privileges given to ma
tional banks to issue currency as money or
in lieu of money, or as circulating medium
be at once withdrawn, or the broad ground
that all private interests must give way to
public good
A graduated income tax.
That malfeasance in Office shall DO classed
with the crime Of treason to the State, and
punished by the same penalty.
That no man shall be eligible to the Office
of President and Vice-President of the
United States for two consecutive terms.
That the government prohibit the importa-
ton of all servile labor
That prison convict labor shall never come
in competition with free labor by the contract
system under any name.
That Congress shall provide for the imme-
date establishment of general bureau of
statistics.
That all class legislation be prohibited
That not another acre or foot of the public
domain shall ever be disposed of by sale or
grant except to actual settlers, and that no
subsidies of any character be granted.
That there should be a land limitation, and
all land granted to corporations, where they
have not complied with the contract revert
to the government.
That any person who offers to buy, or who
does purchase vote, or who is aparty to n
fraud, or intimidation at the ballot-box, or
elsewhere, shall be DISTINGUISHED.
That eight hours should constitute legal
days work, and that official salaries should
not exceed the price paid for skilled labor.
That the republic does not need large
standing army nor vast military organiza-
ton.
That all money and other property be
taxed alike.
That the employment of children under II
years OF age in any factory, shop, store, mill,
or other place where manual labor is required,
be by law prohibited.
That we demand the passage Of such laws
as will fully, fairly and justly protect the
rights of tho people and of transportation
companies, prevent determinations, COM
binatons and granting the rebate by common
carriers, and to compel them to furnish the
same facilities and proper service for the
same price to all men; that such laws shall
be enforced by the seyerest penalties, and that
we denounce and condemn the theory estab-
lisbed and maintained by the courts of
the country, that the $50 called) char
tered rights of corporations are above
and superior TO legislative action and govern
inert control. That we most emphatcally
deny the right of the general government in
any of its departments to interfere in any way
10 compel the authorities of States, counties
or cities to levy taxes TO pay their bonds and
other liabilities, and that we deprecate the
extension of the Jurisdiction of the Federal
courts which is operating SO injuriously to
the people. That we recognize the mutual
dependence of labor and capital and depre-
cate all attempts to antagonize them, and all
infamous acts OF the government which take
from the many to enrich the few. That labor
Is the basis Of all human wealth, happiness
and progress, and must have equal protection
BY the law. Usury must be abolished by
national laws.
In no case shall the homestead of family
70 the value of $1,000 ever be liable TO sale
for debt.