The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-05-23
A Third Party.

"The PEOPLES Party of the United States
is the title of political party born at Gin
cinnati on Wednesday. 1t was the work of 9
convention of l,500 persons, regular anC
irregular, from Farmers Alliances, Farm
ersi Mutual Benefit Associations, Gran
gers, and labor organizations of all kinds
and descriptions. OF the 1900 dele
gates, over 400 were from Kansas, and as
many more were present from Illinois and
Minnesota. Thus half Of the convention came
from three States. The Southern people did
not Join the movement. Very few persons
were present from South of the Ohio, and
these were mostly spectators.
The new organization will not play very
important part in politics, and will be short
lived. In its brief existence it may do con-
siderable damage to the Republican party in
the West, but it will go as quickly as it came.
Many of the prime movers are restless spirits
that left the old parties because they did not
secure that recognition they thought them
selves entitled to. They will speedily leave the
new party when they cannot have their own
way. Here is the declaration of principles.
or rather demands of the new party:
Frst-That in view of the great social, industrial
and economical revolution now drawing upon the
civilized world and the new and living issues con-
fronting the American people, we believe that the
time has arrived for capitalization of the political
what should be known as the peoples party of the
United States of America.
second-That we most heartily indorse the de-
mAnds of the platforms adopted at St. Louis, Mo-,
in 1889 in 0cala Fla, in 1890 and Omaha, Neb., in
1891 by industrial organizations there represented,
summarized as follows:
ereign power be maintained by the people for the
common benefit hence we demand the abolition OF
national banks banks of issue, and substitute
for national bank notes we demand that legal tender
treasury notes be issued in sufficient volume to
transact the business of the country on cash basis,
without damage or especial advantage 10 any class
or calling such notes TO be legal tender in payment
OF all debts, public and private and such notes,
when demanded by the people, shall be loaned TO
them at not more than per cent per annum upon
non-perishable products as indicated in the sub
treasury PLAN and also upon real estate with proper
Limitation upon the quantity OF land and amount OF
B. We demand the free and unlimited coinage
C. We demaLd the passage of laws prohibiting
alien ownership of land, and that Congress take
prompt action TO devise some plan 10 obtain all
lands now owned by alien and foreign syndicates,
and that all land held by railroads and other cor
poraons in excess of such as is actually used and
needed by them be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only.
D. Believing the doctrine ofequa rights &c all and
special privilege TO none demand that taxation,
national State or municipal, shall not be used to
build up one interest or class at the expense OF
b We demand that all revenues national,
State or county-shall be limited TO the necessary
expenses of the government, economically and
honestly administered.
r. We demand just and equitable system of
graduated tax on income
G. We demand the most rigid honest and Just
national control and supervision of the means OF
public communication and transportation, and If
This control and supervision does not remove the
abuses now existing we demand the government
ownership of such means of communication and
transportation.
H. We demand the election of President, Vice
President and United States Senators by direct
vote of the people
Third.-That we urge united action of all pro-
gressive organizations in attending the conference
called for February - 1892, by six of the leading
reform organizations.
Fourth.-That a national central committee be
appointed by this conference to be composed of Il
chairman to be elected by this body, and OF three
members from each State represented, TO be named
by each State delegation.
Fifth-That this central committee shall represent
this body attend the national conference on Feb.
y 1892 and possible unite with that and all other
reform organizations there assembled. If no salts
factory arrangement be effected this committee
shall call national convention not later than June
J. 1892 for the purpose of nominating candidates for
President and Nice-President
Sixth-That the members of the central commit
Zee for each state where there is no Independent
political organization conduct an active system OF
political agitation in their respective States
Additional resolutions not part OF the platform
were presented. They recommended favorable
consideration of universal suffrage, demanded
treasury notes to pay soldiers equivalent TO coin,
favored eight hours day and condemns the action
of the Worlds Fair commission with reference TO
wages.