People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-09-09

with the purposes of the national constitu-
tion-to form more perfect union and es-
tablish Justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote
The general welfare and secure the bless
inQs of liberty for ourselves and our DOS
terity. We declare that this republic can
only endure as a free government while
built upon the owe of the whole people for
each other, and for the nation; that it can
not be pinned together by bayonets but
the civil war is over and that every passion
and resentment which grew out of it must
die with it, and that we must be In fact, as
we arc in name, one united brotherhood.
Our country finds itself confronted by
conditions for which there are no prece-
dents in the history of the world. Our
annual agricultural productions amount to
billions Of dollars in value, which must
within few weeks or months, be exchang-
ed for billions of dollars of the commodi-
ties consumed in their production.
The currency supply is wholly made
quate to make the exchange. The results
are falling prices; formation of combines
and rings; and the impoverishment of the
producing class.
We pledge ourselves that if given power
we will labor to correct these evils by wise
and reasonable legislation in accordance
with the terms of our platform. We be-
heve that the powers of government-in
other words of the people-should be ex-
banded as in the case of the postal service,
as rapidly and as far as the good sense of
an intelligent people and the teachings of
experience shall justify, to the end that OPP
preston, injustice and poverty shall event
ually cease in the land. While our SYM
pathies, as a party of reform, are naturally
upon the side of every proposition which
Will tend to make men intelligent virtuous
and temperate, we nevertheless regard
those Questions-important as they are
4 %<,% oar
ing for solution and upon which not only
our individual prosperity but the very exist
enc6 of free institutions depend, and We
ask all men to first help lis TO determine
whether we are to have a republic to adj
minister, before we differ as to the condi-
lions upon which it is TO be administered,
believing that the forces of reform this day
organized will never cease TO move for
ward until every wrong is r1ghted and
equal rights and equal privileges securely
established for all men and women OF this
country.
We declare, therefore:
/. That the union of the Labor forces OF
the Uniled States this day contaminated
shall be permanent and perpetual. May
its spirit enter into all hearts for the saliva
ton of the republic and the uplifting Of
mankind.
2. Wealth belongs to him who creates it,
and every dollar taken from industry with
not work, neither shall he eat" The in
serests of rural and civic labor are the
same their enemies are Identical
8. We believe that the time has come
when railroad corporations will either own
the people or the people must own the rail-
roads: and should the government enter
upon the work of owning and managing all
railroads, we should favor an amendment
to the constitution by which all persons
engaged in the government service shall be
placed under a civil service regulation OF
the most rigid character, so as to prevent
an increase of the power Of the national
administration by the use of such addition
al government employees.
We demand national currency, safe
sound and flexible, issued by the general
government only, O. full legal tender for all
debts, public and private, and that With
out the use of banking corporations a just,
equitable and efficient means OF disgribu-
ton direct TO the people at a TAX not to ex-
coed 2 per cent per annum be provided as
set forth in the sub-treasury plan OF the
Farmers Alliance, or some better system
also by payment in discharge of its OBJ
legations for public improvements.
We demand the free and unlimited coln-
age Of silver and gold at the present legal
ratio of 16 to l.
We demand that the amount OF the cir
culatiug medium be speedily increased to
not less than fifty dollars per capita.
We demand a graduated income tax.
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 state and national revenues shall
be limited to the necessary expenses OF
the government economically and honestly
administered.
We demand that postal savings banks DO
established by the government for the SAFE
deposit Of the earnings OF the people anu
to facilitate exchange.
Transportation being means OF ex-
change ana public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
in the interest OF the people. The tele-
graph and the telephone, Ike the postal
system, being a necessity for the trans
mission of news, should be owned and op.
Grated by the government in the interest," OF
the people, :,
ssources Of wealth, is the heritage OF all the
people and should not be monopollzed 1oI
speculative purposes, and alien ownership
Of land should be prohibited All Iah4e
now held by railroads and other corpora
tions in excess of their actual needs, and
all lands now owned by aliens should of
reclaimed by the government and held fo'
actual settlers only
SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas. other questions have been present
ed for our consideration, we hereby submit
the following. not as part OF Inc platform OF
the Peoples Party, but as resolutions express
siye OF the sentim' Mt of this convention.
First-Resolved, That we demand free bal
| lot and fair count in all elections and pledge
! ourselves to secure it to every legal voter
without federal intervention through the
! adoption by the States of the unperyerred
Australian or secret ballot system.
| SecOnd-Res1 lived, That the revenue derived
! from graduated income tax should be applied
to the reduction of the burden of taxation now
resting upon the domestic industries of this
| country.
Third Resolved. That we pledge our sup.
| port to fair ana liberal pensions to ex-UniOr
| soldiers and sailors
| Fourth-ResOlved, That we condemn the
| fallaCy Of protecting American labor undel
! the present system, which opens our ports tC
! the pauper and criminal classes of the world
| nOunce the present ineffective laws against
| contract labor, and demand the further re-
| strlctlon Of undesirable immigration.
FItth-ReSOlved, That we cordially fyrnpa.
| thize with the efforts of orga lied working
! men to shorten the hours of labor, and demand
| a rigid enforcement OF the existing eight-hOu1
| law on government work, and ask that pen
| atty clause be added to the said law.
! SiXth-Res OlYed, That we regard the main.
| tenance of a large standing army of mercena
| rles, known IS the PinkertOn system, as q men
| ace to our liberties, and we demand its abOh
| ton; andWe condemn the recent invasion OF
| the territory OF Wyoming by the hired assas-
| sins of plutOcracy. assisted by federal officials
| Seventh-Resolved, That we commend to the
! favorable cons. deratiOn OF the people and The
| reform press the legislative system known a:
| the initiative and referendum.
Eight-ReSOlved, That we favor a constitu-
| tlonal provision limiting the Office of PreSiden
and vice President to one term, and providing
| for the election OF Senator's OF the United
! States by direct vote of the people.
Nlnth-ResOlYed, That we oppose any sub
sldy or national aid to an private corporation