The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-09
THE OCALA PLATFORM.

A great deal is being SAID by puoilc
men and in the public press about the
Ocala platform. It is quite probable
that e great many who talk and write
about this platform do not know IT'S
provisions, and we feel satisfied that
many who read do not know all the
blanks. In order that every one may
know just what that platform IS we re-
produce it here.
Some Of it's demands are alright
and there is little doubt that the
members of the Ocala convention,
who were interested in the success OF
the farmers and the laboring people OF
this country, were actuated BY the
parest of motives. The tendency OF all
revolutions is to go to extremes. Yet
the cardinal principles Of this platform
will be found to be alright and sale
when some Of the Objectionable
features are Topped of.
The fight is the fight Of the mas
ses, against the classes; of the men
who make their living by the
sweat of their own brow in the neld
and the workshop, against those VINO
become rich and millionaires IN oay
in the field of speculation and py IN
fatinp bonds and stocks. But the
Alliance should not demand for Itself
what it so strongly condemns IN Others
1t suould not condemn class leslslallon
IN one breath and then in the next ask
the government to become its banker
and enact legislation purely for the
benefit of one class. 1t should not an
nounce the doctrine of ''equal rights 10
all and special privileges to none," ana
then demand legislation for the beneht
OF one class. And when the Wnole
matter is sifted down the Alliance Will
realize that this legislation will not IN
the end benefit this class.
But we intended only to give the
Ocala platform and leave 1t TOR the
present for your consideration Here
it is:
First-We demand the abolition OF
National banks. We demand that the
government shall establish sub.treasu-
res or repositories in the several STATES
which shall loan money dlrect 10 Ine
neople at low rate Of interest not 10
exceed 2 per cent. per annu n on non
perishable farm product; and also upon
real estate, with proper limitations
upon the quantity Of land and amount
ofmoney. We demand that the amount
of the circulating medium be speedily
increased to not less than sou per
Second-We demand that Congress
shall pass such laws as SHALL effectuaily
prevent the dealingi in futures on all ag-
ricultural aud mechanical productions,
preserving stringent system OF pro-
cedure in trials such as shall secure the
prompt conviction and imposition OF
such pene'''>s as shall secure the most
perfect CT lance with the law.
Third .,e condemn the silver bill
recently passed by Congress and de-
mand in lieu thereof the free and un-
limited coinage of silver.
Fourth-We demand the passage OF
Ii Tie e 81 OF
land. and that Congress take prompt
action to devise some plan to OBTAIN all
lands now owned by aliens and foreign
syndicates, and that all lands now heid
by railroads and other corporations ID
excess of such as is actually used and
needed by them be reclaimed oy tne
Government and sold for actual settlers
only. -.
Fifth-Believing in the doctrine OF
equal rights to all and special privilege:
to none, we demand that our national
legislation shall be so framed IN the
future as not to build up one Industry
at the expense Of another; ana we lur-
tber demand removal Of the existing
heavy tariff from the necessaries of life
that the poor of our land must have;
we further demand just and equitable
system of graduated tax on incomes;
we believe that the money Of the coun-
try should be kept, as much as possible,
in the hands of the people, and hence
we demand that all National and State
revenues shall be limited to the neces-
sary expenses of the government,
economically and honestly admins
tered.
Sixth-We demand the most rigid,
honest and just State and National
governmental control and SUPERVISION
of the means of public communication
and transportation, and if this control
and supervision does not remove the
abuse row existing, we demand the
government ownership Of such means
of communication and transportation.
Seventh-We demand that Congress
of the United States submit an amend
nnent to the constitution providing Tor
the election of United States Senators
by direct vote Of the people of each
State.