The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-22
THE FARMERS PLATFORM
VIRGINIA ALLIANCE DECLARES
ITS PRINCIPLES.
Course of Congress for the Past Twenty
Five Years Denounced-Unequal Taxa
tIon and MonopoIies Denounced-What
Candidates VIII be Supported.

Five Years Denounced-Unequal Taxa
tIon and MonopoIies Denounced-Wbat
Candidates VIII be Supported.
LyNcHBURG, Va, Aug. 2l.-lspecial.l J.
The business transactions today bofor, the
Farmers Alliance was strictly OF Dusi-
ness character and is not diyulged TO the
public. Debating their platform is sup
posed TO have occupied most Of the time.
Some Of them, Colonel Robert Beverly, for
instance, are warm advocates Of the sub
Treasury financial plan, while number
of others are opposed to it, and fighting it
with great spirit.
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
The following was the platform and prin-
ciples adopted this evening by the Virginia
state Farmers Alliance. in annual session
assembled. II declares its allegiance To the
National organization. and reiterates It's ad-
herencc 10 those principles upon which our
order was fOundcd-Of unity in all things
essential, equal rights TO all, and special
privileges 10 none.
Whereas, the depressed condition Of the
agricultural and labOring classes OF our
country cries aloud for help, and the stalls
tics Of our government show that IN the adj
vancement our country has made in the
last twenty-five years, the agricultural and
laboring classes the wealth producers have
beer left far behind, and that the wealth Of
the country is rapidly concentrating in the
hands Of the favored few TO the detriment OF
the many. so that now more than half the
wealth Of this great country is held by less
than y. 900 of its u 900. 600 of people: and,
"A hgligNg
Congress of the United States Tor the last
twenty-five years has been greatly to the
prejudice of a large majority Of the people.
and i'm the interest Of the favored few, that
the monetary system as administered under
The national banking laws. its demonetiZa-
ton of silver and contraction of the currency
has 50 reduced the values Of our lands and
their products al 10 materially lessen our
farm values, while at the same time the
bonds and holdings Of capitalists and mo-
nopolists have been greatly enhanced in
value; and,
Whereas unjust and onerous burdens of
taxation have been imposed upon the
farmer and labOrer through our internal
revenue and tariff laws. framed in the in
tercst Of mOnOpOlies and trusts, these laws.
whilst prOfo ssing to protect the farmer ana
laborers tax with "A heavy hand, almost
every article necessary for their daily wants,
and at the same time close the markets Of
the world tOtheir products, and recognizing
the fact that to accomplish the reforms we
demand We must select and vote for can
didates in accord with our views. yet we
believe that this may be accomplished in
side the two great parties now existing by
demanding and eXacting pledges from those
seeking our suffrage TO give us and our in
forests fair and equitable treatment reius-
ing 10 support in either party those who re-
fuse Ia support IL.
And whereas, it is proper that we should
set forth what we believe may give relief to
our depressed people: therefore
Be il resolved. lst. That we favor the
free and unlimited coinage OF silver.
ID The repeal Of the national banking
laws and the substitution Of legal-tcndeT
treasury notes IN lieu Of national bank
notes. and sufficient quantity 10 do the busi-
ness of the country.
ID. That Congress issue sufficient
amount of fractional paper currency to
facilitate exchange through the medium of
the United states mails.
lth. such a revision Of our tariff laws as
shall reduce the burdens of taxation upon
the necessdries Of life, placing upon luNu-
ries the burdens they should bear, reducing
tariff taxation 10 the necessities Of the gov
ernmcnt economically administered, and 50
press our commercial intercourse with the
nations Of the world.
9TH. We demand that Congress shall pass
such laws rs shall eilectually prevent the
dealing in futures of all agricultural and
IA chanical products.
9TH. For the destruction Of trusts and the
withdrawal Of all faVOrs in the shape OF
subsidies and bOuntes.
7th. The abrogatiOn Of all partisan and
class legislation.
Sth. Equal distribution of the burdens of
taxation: that capital bonds shall be re-
mired 10 bear IA Just share Of taxes. and the
enactment OF such laws as shall ensure
this end.
gth. We oppose the alien ownership OF
lands. and all land grants 10 railroad cor
poraliOns and syndicates, and demand tn
forfeiture OF all unearned land grants, and
that all lands held by railroads and Other
corpOratiOns in excess of such as are actu-
ally used and needed By them for their leg-
innate purposes be reclaimed by the gov
ernment ana held for actual settlers only.
10Th We demand a railroad commission.
consisting Of three persons. to which shall
be given full powers to protect the rights
and interests Of the people; to have power b.
regulate and correct all determinations in
ireights and other charges, and to adjust a
schedule Of tariffs favorable 10 the people
and Just to the railroads, making rates uni
form per mile as far as possible. allowing
for 10 iding and unloading.
nth. Wewil not support for Office the rel
re-entatives or paid attorneys of railroads,
iranspCrtion companies, and other cor
pOratlons. We demand pledges from ali
candidates for Office that they will not ac
cept free passes upon railroads or other
TRANSPORTATION lines. We condemn the
use of free passes by the Judiciary.
II is believed the Alliance will take no
action in the >ub-1reasury bill, because hun
dreds of Alliances all over the state very
recently organized, have not yet considered
and reported on it.
.ADJOU RNED.
The Alliance adjourned tonight, to meet
the third Tuesday in August, lSn, In Rich
mOnd.