The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-07-10
PEOPLES PLATFORM.
ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION
AT OMAHA, NEB., JULY A. 1892.

u 1HuepenOenCe, the PoODloS Party OF
America in ther first national convention,
invoking upon their action the blessings
OF Almighty God. puts forth in the name.
the following preamble and declaration Of
The conditions which surround us best
midst of a nation brought to the verge of
moral ruin. Corruption dominates the
and touches even the '1 ermine on. the
most of the states es'1 have been Compelled
to prevent universal intimidation or bri-
bery. The newspapers are largely sub
OF public
and the land Concentrating in the hands
are denied the right of organization for
SeH-protection; imported pauperized la
a Dor beats down their wages; hireling
nshed TO shoot them down; and they are
rapidly rapidly degenerating into European con
ions are bodily stolen to build up colossal
fortunes for a few. Unprecedented in the
history M Of mankind, and the possessors
,eendanger liberty. From the same pro-
life womb of governmental injustice we
breed the two great classes-tramps and
The national power to create money IS
appropriated az nt ,,st to enrich bondholders: a
bearing bonds, thereby adding millions
to the burden of the people.
since the dawn of history, has been de-
monetzed to add to the purchasing. power
goa a. w py all forms Ct Phe pTop
ply of currency is pufposely abridged to
f fat usurers bankrupt enterprise and en-
against MANKIND has b xas. org eaniprv on
two continents, and 1t is rapidly taking
possession of the world. If not met and
hodn
socia! commissions, the destruction of CIV
ilizatlon or the establishment of an abb
solute despotism. We have witnessed for
struggles Of the two great political parties
for fo1oI power os . and plumber, while grievous
fering people We charge that the con-
trolling influences dominating both these
parties have permitted the existing dread
GUS effort to prevent or restraint them.
Neither do they now promise us any. sub
to in They chmee
every issue but one. They propose to
drown the outcries of plundered people
with the uproar Of a sham battle over the
tariff; SO that capitalists, corporations.
national banks, rings. trusts, the demone-.
fhs of silver and the s%t o.
They propose to sacrifice our homes,
lives and children on the alter Of Mammon;
corruption funds for the millionaires. AS
Sembled on the anniversary of the birthday
Of the nation. and filled with the spirit
store the government Of the republic to
whose hs a aass Gf hf Rs & with dar
purposes to be Identical with the purpose
Of the national eonstitution:-z"to form a
sure domestic tranquility provide for the
common defense, promote the general well
fare, and secure the blessing Of liberty
We declare that this republic can only
endure as free government while built
the eve Of the F. for en-
pinned together by bayonets that the civil
war is over and that every passion and re-
with it; and that we must be in fact as
we are in name, one united brotherhood.
Our country finds itself confronted by CON
ditions for which there is no precedent in
| the history of the world. Our annual ag-
ricultural products. amount to billions. of
weeks or months be exchanged,for billions a
| Of dollars of commodities consumed in
their, production; the existing currency
exchange. The results are falling prices,
the formation of combines and rings and
class. We pledge ourselves that if given
power we will labor to correct. these evils
by wise and reasonable legislation, in
| We believe that the powers of govern
ment-in other words, of the people-should
be expanded Gas in the case OF the postal
good sense Of an intelligent people, and the
teachings of experience shall justify; to
erty shall eventually cease in the land.
While our sympIathies as a party of re-
form are naturally upon the side Of every
nevertheless regard these questions-im-
portant as they areas secondary to the
and upon which not only our individual
| prosperity, but the very existence of free
,c1r
| to first help us determine whether we are
| to have republic to administer before
we differ as to the conditions upon which
| forces Of reform this day organized will
| never cease to move forward until every
| wrong is righted and equal privileges estab-
country.
We declare. therefore.
UNION OF THE PEOPLE.
First-That the union of the labor forces
| of the United States this day consummated
shall be permanent and perpetual; may it's
| spirit enter into all hearts for the saliva
ton Of the republic and the uplifting of
| Second-Wealth belongs to him who Gre
| ates it; and every dollar taken from in
| dustry, without an equivalent, is robbery.
| 'If any man will not work, neither shall
| he eat" The interests Of rural and civic
| labor are the same; their enemies are
Third-we believe that the time has
come when the railroad corporations will
| either own the people or the people must
| own the railroads: and should the govern
| ment enter upon the work of owning and
| managing the railroads, we should favor
| an amendment to tie constitution by
ment service shall be protected BY civil
| service regulations Of the most rigid char
acter so as to prevent the increase of the
bower of the national administration by
| the use Of such additional government en-
| ployes. >,.
| We demand national currency, safe.
sound, and flexible; issued by the gen.
| for all debts public and private and that
| without the use Of banking corporations. a
button direct to the people, at tax not to
| exceed per cent pei. annum, to be pro-
| vided as set forth in the sub-treasury plan
OF the asn by pavments or On Some better
| its obligations for public improvements.
We demand free and unlimited Coinage
of silver and gold at the present legal ratio
We demand that the amount of circulat-
| ing medium be speedily increased to not
| less than $50 per capita.
We demand 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 reve-
! nues shall be limited to the necessary
| expenses Of the government, economically
| and honestly administered.
be established by the government for the
| safe deposit Of the earnings Of the people,
and the facilitation of exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
change and public necessity, the govern
| ment should own and operate the railroads
| in the interest Of the people.
| The telegraph and telephone, like the
transmits Transmission OF news, should be io own aed
| and operated by the government in the