The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-10-21

The following declaration of prin-
ciples and platform were adopted in
National Convention at Omaha July 4th
The conditions which surround us
best justify our cooperation. We meet
in the midst of nation brought to the
verge Ct political and material ruin
corruption dominates the ballot box,
the Legislatures, the Congress, and
touches even the ermine of the bench.
The people are demoralized most OF
the States have been compelled to iso-
late the voters at the polling places to
prevent universal intimidation or brib-
cry. The newspapers are subsidized or
muzzled public opinion silenced, bus
mess Frustrated; our homes covered
with MORTGAGES, labor impoverished,
and the land concentrating in the hands
OF the capitalists.
Silver which has been used as coin
since the dawn of history, has been
demonetized to add to the purchasing
power of gold by decreasing the value
of all forms Of property as well as Of
human labor, and the supply of cur
rency is purposely abridged to fatten
usurers, bankrupt enterprise and ensIave
industry. A vast conspiracy against
mankind has been organized on two
continents, and is rapidly taking pos
session of the world. If not met and
overthrown at once it forebodes terrible
social convulsions, the destruction OF
civilization or the establishment of an
absolute despotlsm.
We declare, therefore:
l. That the union of the labor forces
Of the United States, this day consum.
mated, shall be permanent and perpet.
ual. May its spirit come into all hearts
for the salvation of the republic and
the uplifting of mankind.
2. Wealth belongs to him who ere
ates it, and every dollar taken from
industry. without an equivalent is
robbery. ''If any will not work neither
shall he ea,.' The interests of rural
enemies are identical.
We believe that time has come
when the railroad corporations will
either own the people or the people
must own the railroads, and should the
government enter upon the work of
owning and managing any or all rail
roads, we should favor an amendment
to the constitution by which all persons
engaged in the government service
which shall be placed under evil
service regulations of the most rigid
character, so as to prevent the increase
of the power of the national admins
tration by the use of such additional
government employees. The platform ::
FINANCE.
First We demand a National cur
reucy safe, sound and flexible. issued
by the General Government only, full
legal tender for all debts, public and
private, and that without the use Of
banking corporations, just, equitable,
and efficient means Of distribution direct
to the people at tax not to exceed 2
per cent, per annum, to be provided as
set forth in the sub treasury plan of the
Farmers Alliance, or better system !;
also by payments in discharge of its
obligations for public Improvements.
We demand free and unlimited coin.
age of silver and gold at the present
legal ratio of l8 to |.
We demand that the amount of cir.
culating medium be speedily increased
to not less than $50 per capita.
We demand a graduated income tax.
We believe that the money of the
country should be kept as much as pos.
sible in the hands of the people, and
hence we demand that all States and
National revenues shall be limited TO
the necessary expenses of the Govern.
ment economically and honestly admin
istered.
We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the Government for
the safe deposit of the earnings of the
people and to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
Second. Transportation being a
means of exchange and a public neces.
sity, the Government should own and
operate the railroads in the interest Of
the people.
The telegraph and telephone, like
the post office system, being a necessity
for the transmission OF news, should be
owned and operated by the Government
in the interest of the people.
LAND.
Third. The land, including all the
natural sources of wealth, is the herit-
age of the people, and should not be
monopolized for speculative purposes
and alien ownership of land should be
prohibited. All land nov held by
railroads and other corporations in ex-
cess of their actual needs and all lands
now owned by aliens should be reclaim
ed by the Government and held for
actual settlers only.