Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-07-07
THE PROCEEDINGS.

A Scene of the Widest Enthusiasm over
the Platform.
OMAHA, July 5.-The Peoples party con-
vention settled down into a dead calm
when Cater of California was presented
and commenced to read the preamble and
platform. The enthusiasm increased ten
fold when the speaker read a declaration to
the effect that the time had come when the
railroads must run the people or the people
run the railroads, and it was a couple of
minutes before order could be restored
sufficiently for the reader to proceed.
Branch, of Georgia, moved the adoption
Of the preamble, and it was adopted by a
rising vote, with more cheering. Cater now
gave way to Branch, who proceeded to read
the platform proper.
Cries of "Amen" and cheers greeted the
plank in favor of governmental control of
all telegraph and telephone systems, and
were repeated when the reading was fin
ished. Then the entire preamble and plat
form were put to another vote and adopted
by acclamation, amid another scene of bois-
ferrous enthusiasm.
The Platform.
The following is the platform, exclusive
of the preamble, which Is a long argument
of the causes which led up to the formation
of the party:
We declare, therefore
First the union of the labor forces of
the United States this day consummated shall
be permanent and perpetual-may its spirit
enter into all hearts for the salvation of the re-
public and the uplifting of mankind.
Second-Wealth belongs to him who creates
1t, and every dollar taken from industry
without an equivalent is robbery. "If any man
will not work, neither shall he eat" The inter
ests of rural and civic labor are the same, their
enemies are identical.
Third-We believe the 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
railroads. we should favor an amendment
to the constitution by which all persons
engaged in the government service shall be
placed under civil service regulation of the
most rigid character, SO as to prevent the in
crease of the power Of the national admins
tration by the use of such additional govern
ment employees.
We demand national currency 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 bank
ing corporations just, equitable and efficient
means of distribution, direct to the people, at
tax not to exceed per cent. per annum to
be provided set forth in the subtreasury
plan of the Farmers Alliance, or some better
system; also by payments in discharge of its
obligations for public improvements
We demand free and unlimited coinage of
silver and gold at the present legal ratir of Is
tol.
We demand that the amount of the circuat-
ing medium be speedily increased to not less
than fifty dollars per capita.
We demand a graduated income tax.
We believe that the moneys Of the country
should be kept much possible in the hands
of the people, and hence we demand that all
national and state revenues shall be limited to
the necessary expenses, economically and hon
estly administered.
We demand that postal savings banks be es-
tablished by the government for the safe de-
posit of the earnings Of the people and to facii-
tate exchange.
Transportation being n means OF exchange
and public necessity, the government should
own and operate the railroads in the interest
Of the people.
The telegram and telephone, like the post.
office system, being a necessity for the trans
mission Of news, should be owned and operated
by the government in the interest of the people.
The land, including all the natural sources
of wealth, is the heritage of all the people and
should not be monopolized for speculative pur-
poses, and alien ownership of land should be
prohibited All land now held by railroads
and other corporations in excess Of their ac-
tual needs and all lands owned by aliens
should be reclaimed by the government and
held for actual settlers only.
The Resolutions.
Whereas, Other questions have been present
ed for our consideration we hereby submit the
following, not part of the platform of the
Peoples party, but as resolutions expressive Of
the sentiment of this convention:
Resolved, That we demand free ballot and
a fair count In all elections, and pledge our
selves to secure it to every legal voter without
federal Intervention through the adoption of
the states of the unperverted Australian or
secret ballot system.
Resolved, That the revenue derived from q
graduated lucome tax should be applied to the
reduction Of the burden of taxation now rest.
ing upon the domestic industries of this conn.
try.
Resolved, That we pledge our support to fair
and liberal pensions to ex-Union soldiers and
sailors.
Resolved, That we condemn the fallacy of
protecting American labor under the present
system, which opens our ports to the pauper
and criminal classes Of the world and crowds
out our wage earners: and we denounce the
present ineffective laws against contract labor.
and demand the further restriction OF undesir-
able immigration.