The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-05-28
The New Party.

A little political giant, it may be, was
born in Cincinnati on the 2Sth of May.
A meeting Of delegates to the number of
about fifteen hundred, representing the
Farmers Alliance of the larger number
of States and numerous labor associa-
tons OF the country, met in Cincinnati,
on the 10Th, and on the Goth. through
the chairman on resolutions, Ignatius
Donnelly. of Minnesota, adopted the
following declaration of principles or
tenets of faith. There had been quite a
contention in the committee as to the
policy OF inaugurating a new or third
party, but those in favor Of such a course
were largely in the majority, and the
minority submitted without any un-
seemly demonstration. The following is
the platform:
Your committee on resolutions beg leave to
submit the following:
/. That in view of the great social, Industrial
and economical revolution now dawning on the
civilized world and the new and living issues
confronting the American people we believe
that the time has arrived for capitalization OF
the political reform. forces of our country and
the reformation of what should be known as the
Peoples Party of the United States Of America
2. That we most heartily indorse the demands
of the platforms as adopted at st. Louis, Mo-, In
1885, Ocala, Fla, in 1890, and Omaha. Neb., in
1884, by industrial organizations there repre-
sented, summarized as follows:
a. The right to make and issue money is a
sovereign power to be maintained by the people
for the common benefit. Hence we demand the
nj nf "a G hanks of fESu0
and as a substitute for national bank notes we
demand that legal tender treasury notes lie
issued in sufficient volume to transact the bust
ness OF the country on cash basis without dam
age or especial advantage to any class or call
ing, 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 two per cent. per
annum upon non-perishable products, as indi
Gated in the subtreasury plan, and also upon
real estate. with proper limitation upon the
quantity of land and amount of money.
b. We demand the free and unlimited coinage
of silver.
G. We demand the passage OF laws prohibit
ing alien ownership Of land. and that Congress
take prompt action to devise some plan to OBJ
tain all lands now owned by alien and foreign
syndicates, and that all land held by railroads
and other corporations in excess Of such as is
actually used and needed by them be reclaimed
by the government, and held for actual settlers
only.
d. Relieving the doctrine of equal rigets to
all and special privilege to none, we demand
that taxation, national. state or municipal shall
not be used to build up one interest or class at
the expense of another.
G. We demand that all revenue nationals
State, or county shall be limited to the neces-
sary expenses of the government economically
and honestly administered.
]. We demand just and equitable system OF
graduated tax on income.
O. We demand the most rigid, honest, and
lust national control and supervision of the
means of public communication and transpor-
tation, and If this control and supervision does
not remove the abuses now exiating we de1aand
the geverpment ownership of such means OF
communication and transportation.
h. We demand the election of President, Vice
President, and United States Senators by di-
rect vote Of the people.
| g. That we urge united action of all progress
sivs organizations in attending the conference
called for February 22nd, 1892 by six of the lead
ing reform organizations
4 That national central committee be APP
pointed by this conference TO be composed OF q
chairman, to be elected by this body, and of
three members from each State represented, to
be named by each State delegation.
g. That this central committee shall represent
this body, attend the national conference on
February 22nd, 1892, and, If possible, unite with
that and all other reform organizations there
assembled. II no satisfactory arrangement can
be effected, this committee shall call a national
convention not later than June lst, 1892, for the
purpose of nominating candidates for President
and Vice President.
O. That the henderson the central committee
for each State where there is no Independent
political organization, conduct an active system
Of political agitation in their respective States
Resolpcd, That the question OF universal suf~
fpage he recommended to the favorable consid-
Grafton of the various States and Territories.
Res0lved, That Willie the party In power IN 1879
pledged the faith of the nation to bay debt In
/ coin that had been contracted on a deprecated
currency basis and payable in currency. thus
adding nearly 81 COO 900 900 to the burdens of the
people, which meant gold for the hOndholders
and deprecated currency for the soldier, and
holding that the men who imperiled their lives
to save the life OF nation should have been
paid In money as good as that paid to the bond
holders-we demand the issue Of legal tender
Treasury notes in sufficient amount to make
the pay of the soldiers equal to par with coin or
such other legislation as shall do equal and ex-
act justice to tho Union soldiers of the country.
RESOLVED, That as eight hours constitute legal
days work for government employees in me-
chanical departments, we believe this principle
should be further extended so as to apply to all
corporations employing labor in the different
States of the Union.
ResOlUed. That this conference condemns In
unmeasured terms the action Of the directors of
the Worlds Columbian Exposition on May 10Th
IL, 70 Init, rot Of wa cd
for by the labor organizations of Chicago.
RESOLVED, That the Attorney General of the
United States should make immediate provision
to submit the act of March End, 1885, providing
for the opening of Oklahoma to homestead set
Element, to the United States Supreme Court, SO
that the expensive and dilatory litigation now
pending there be ended.
The following resolution introduced by Mason
A. Green, of Massachusetts,, In behalf of the
Nationalist, was referred to the various reform
bodies for their considerations:
Resolued, That, when in the course of business
consultations In the form of trusts and private
syndicates, 1t becomes evident that any branch
of commerce is used for the beAQof and profit
Of q few men, at the expense OF the general pub
lie, we believe that the people should assume
charge of such commerce. through their nation
al, State or municipal administration
Great enthusiasm was manifested when the
first resolution naming the new movement the
Peoples party OF the United States was read,
the victorious element INDUCING in several
rounds OF applause.
At the conclusion of the reading Schilling
made an energetic argument In favor OF adopt
ing the platform as prepared, and appealed to
the delegates to abstain from adding any pet
theories to the document
I. II. Davis, of Texas, an ex-Confederate off,
Ger, and six footed, goateed, typical Southern
moved the adoption Of the platform and reso-
buttons In their entirety, declaring that it was
time that the farmers OF the South and the la
boring men Of the North clasped hands across
the chasm and buried the bloody shirt forever
He was followed by a Union soldier. Gen. John
Wadsworth, OF Fort Wayne, Ind, who tovard
the close OF an impassiOned address. called ap Oil
the Texas ex Confederate to return to the n 81
form. Davis compiled, bringing with MIN Col
II. W. Humphrey. the loader of the colored AMI
ance Of the South, which boasts of q membor-
ship of $4,000. The three men clasped hands
and each uttered fervent "God bless you.''
The sight moved the delegates ON the floor to
a frenzy They broke from their seats, bearing
aloft the banners designating the respective
States, and crowded upon and around the stage.
AZ