The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-25
POLITICAL REFORMERS.
RIGID DEMANDS MADE At ST. LOUIS
Long Statement Enumerating tho Evils o
Our Presens System of Government.
The Minority Report.


appeaingly for non-sectionalsm, the old vet
erans oil over the hall casped hands and
cheered for the restored Union. When the
enthusiasm had subsidized Delegate Branch OF
Georgia, cast frebrand into the gather
ing in the shape Of a resolution pro
testing against the condition of the
common people OF this country and holding
the Republican and Democratic parties respon-
slbe tor existing conditions. There was
spirited debate. but the resolution was
adopted by vote or 40 10 1872. Later it wos
declared to have been irregularly proposed.
and was ordered stricken from the minutes 's
until after the report OF the committee on
platform was heard. Then there was a tre-
mendous row over the ineligibiiity Of colored
delegate from Georgia. which was quieted
only by the entrance OF the committee on
platform.
An ADDRESS TO THR PEOPLE.
Ignatius Donnelly presented the following
address 10 the people of the United States
This the first great labor conference of the
| United States and Of the world representing
! ali unions rural organizations OF industry, as
| sembled in national congress- invoking upon
| its action the blessing and protection OF Al
mighty God, puts forth to-day for the pro-
ducers Of the nation this declaration OF union
and Independence The conditions which
/
| We meet in the midst Of nation thought 10
be on the verge of moral. political and mate
! rial ruin Corruption dominates the ballot
| box. uhe legislatures. the Congress and
| touches even the erInlne OF the bench. Inc
| people are demOrazed. Many OF the States
| have been compelled to isolate the voters at
the polling places in order TO prevent uni
versal intimidation or bribery. The newspapers
are subsidized or muzzled, public opinion
sienced. business prOstrated, our homes COW
cred with mortgages. labor impoverished ana
the land concentrating III the hands OF capl.
talists Tie wOrkmen are denied the right OF
organization for self-protecton: imported
pauperized labor puts down their wages
hirelng standing army. unrecOgnlzed by our
laws established 10 shoot them down, and
they are evidently degenerating to European
conditions.
PAUPERs AND MrLLIoNA1REs.
The fruits of the toll Of millions are boldly
stolen 10 build up fortunes unprecedented IN
| the history of the world while their posses
sors despise the republic and endanger liberty.
| From the same prolific womb OF govern
mental Injustice we breed the two great
classes-paupers and milllonaires The ma
tional power IN control OF public money IS
appropriated 20 enrich bondholders' silver,
| which has been accepted as coin since the
dawn of history. has been demonetized 70
| lower the purchasing power OF gold
| by decreasing the value Of all forms
! Of property as well as human labor.
and the supply of currency ls proposed
70 fatten usurers. bankrupt enterprise and
! enslave industry vast conspiracy against
! mankind has been organized on two continents
/ and Is taking possession of the world. II not
/ met and OVerthrOwn at once II fOrbOdes
| terrible social commissions. the destruction OF
! civilization or the establishment Oi an aDso-
| lutte depotism. In this crisis Of human aiiairs
| the intelligent working people and producers
| of the nited States have come together IN
the name of peace. order and society, and de-
| mand liberty, prosperity and justice.
We assert our purpose TO vote with that
| political organization which represents our
! principles. We charge that the controlling
| influence dominating the old political parties
| have allowed the existing conditions u deye-
| Top without any effort 20 restrain or prevent
! them Neither do they now intend to accom-
| phsh reform.
ONLY ONE IssUr.
They have agreed together TO exclude in
/ the coming campaign every issue but ore.
! They propose 10 drown the outcries OF
/ plundered people with the upr0ar OF q sham
! battle over the tariff. SO that corporations.
national banks. rings. trusts watered
stocks the demOnetiZatiOn Of silver and the
! oppressiOns of usercrs may all be lost sight
| of They propose to sacrifice our homes and
| children upon the altar ot mammOn. TO
/ drown the hopes of the multitude IN or
/ yreat lords of plumber. We assert that a
! political organization representing the prin-
ciples herein stated is necessary 70 redress
! the Grievances of which We complain. As
sembled on the anniversary If the birth OF
tie illustrlOus man VINO was the hf5t great
/ lender of revolt on this continent against
! opp0sitiOn, filed with the sentiment winch
actuated that grand generation, we seek TO
restore the Government of the republic TO
| the hands of the plain people" with whom
| il ORIGINATED. Our doors stand open 20 all
| points Of the compass. We ask ali honest
! men 20 ioin with and help us. In order 10
/ restrain the extortions Of aggregated capital,
10 drive the money changers out OF the tenn
| ple TO form permanent union. establish JUS
/ tice 10 insure domestic tranquility, provide
/ for the common. defense. promote the general
! welfare and secure the blessings If liberty TOR
| ourselves and our posterity We ordain and
establish the following platform Of prinei-
| pies:
First We demand a national currency,
safe and sound, supported by the gen
eraI Government only iull legal tender
! for all debts. public and private, and
! that without the use of banking corporations
! n irstiv e0uitable and efficient means of dis
! tribution direct 10 the people and not 70 ex-
I ceed 20 per cent. to be provided as set forth
/ in the sub-treasury plan OF tie Farmers
! Alliance.
We demand q free and unlimited coinage Of
! silver
/ We demand that the amount Of the circula-
/ ting medium be speedily increased tonot less
! than 20 per capita.
! We demand graduated incom tax.
We demand that postal savings banks be
| established by the Government tor the safe
/ deposit of the earnings Of the people. and 10
! facilitate exchange The land. including all
] the national sources of wealth. Is the herlt-
aoe of the people and should not be monop-
! olized for special purposes while alien owner
! SHIN of land should be prohibited. All lands
now held by railroads and other corporations
/ in excess of their natural needs and al lands
! now owned by aliens should be reclaimed by
the Government and held for actual set
| tiers ONLY. Transportation being means Of
exchange and public necessity, the Govern
nat should own and operate the railroads
| in tbe interests Of the people. The telegraph
and telephone. like the postoifice, being a
necessity for the transmission OF news. should
/ he owned and operated by the Government
! IN the interests of the people
We demand that the Government issue
laeol tender notes and pay the Union soldiers
| tbs 4 difference between the price of the depre-
ciated money in which he was paid in gold.
Resolved. That all this conference was the
contamination of the perfect union of hearts
and hands of all sections Of our common
| country