Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-28
Tho Platform Of the Populisrs.

The leaders of the Populists will. as we
stated yesterday, assemble in this city on
the 18th of next month. Nobody knows
| what they will do or recommend to be
done. But it is safe. We suppose, to as
sumo that they will put forth a. the pro-
per time the platform which the sun. their
Richmond organ. flies at its mast
head. In that platform is formulated the
creed with which they will 60 before tho
people next fall We will. therefore, add
to what we said yesterday as to the Popu-
lists a brief statement of the planks OF
their platform. The Democratic State
Convention may have among its members
some who will be inclined to borrow from
the Populists' platform. However that
NAV be. it is time that all good Democrats
were studying the subject and preparing
TO enlighten the voters upon the various
new and untried propositions set forth IN
the creed of their opponents. What may
DO styled tho platform of the Populists
consists of the following propositions:
First. national currency issued by the
general government only, which shall be a
full legal tender" These last three
words mean that this national currency
shall not be redeemable anywhere or by
nybody in gold or silver. but shall be mat
money!" The government is not to be
troubled at all wi tn this currency, which
is to stand upon its own merits and take
care of itself. There are to be no banks
of issue, but this national currency IS to
be lent to the people at not more than
per cent. per annun of interest.
Second, the free and unlimited coinage
OF gold and silver at 16 to 1.
Third, the increase of the per capita Of
the circulating medium TO not less than
$50.
Fourth. a graduated-income tax.
Fifth, economical administration OF the
government.
Sixth, postal savings banks.
Seventh, government control and owner
ship of the railroads. telegraphs. AID ;ele-
phones.
Eighth. retaining all lands now held By
railroads aud other corporations III excess
of their needs.
The preamble to the platform is an IN
dictm ent of tho two old parties. u
ch argos, too, that the newspapers are
largely sill bsidized or muzzled. Also, that
imported paupers beat down the price OF
work in the United States. Also, that the
fruits of the toll Of millions are stolen TO
| build up colossal fortunes. Also, that our
homes. lives. and children are to be sacri-
feed upon the altar OF Mammon.
There is o great deal of repetition in
the creed of tho Popullsts; but we think
we have not omitted any important fea-
ture of 1t. Its utterances are significant
of a condition of unrest among the laborlny
people of this country and of a hope on
| the part Of demagogues that they will be
able to control the food of fiery indigna-
ton which they expect TO see overrunning
| the country next fall and turn it into
such channels as will make 1t possible for
| those demagogues to blind the voters TO
| the disastrous consequences which might
| flow from such tampering with the powers
of the nations government as would de-
stroy that government itself and visit
ruin and devastation upon the people.
! Let us add that there are good many
Populsts and Populist sympathizers in
Virginia and that party which carried
several States last fall is not cOntempti-
bic party by any means.