The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-05-15
PEOPLES PLATFORM.
ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION
AT OMAHA, NEB., JULY 4, 1892.


and on behalf of the people of the country,
the following preamble and declaration of
The conditions which surround US best
Justify our cooperation: we meet in the
midst OF a nation brought to the verge of
ballot box. the legislatures. the Congress.
bench. The people are demoralized
to isolate the voters at the polling places
to prevent universal intimidation or bril-
berry. The newspapers are largely sub
business prostrated; our homes covered
az and tt the land soncentTating in the hands
are denied the right of organization for
self-protection; imported pauperized la
Dor beats down their wages hireling
lished to shoot them down: and they are
rapidly degenerating into European con-
ions are bodily stolen to build up colossal
fortunes, for few, unprecedented in the
history Of mankind. and the possessors
endanger 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 to enrich bondholders;
vast pubic debt payable in legal tender
bearing bonds. thereby adding millions
to the burden of the people.
nee the daMn as coin ON
monetzed to add to the purchasing. power
OF gold, by, decreasing all forms Of prop
Ply Of currency IS purposely abb Abridged ss i0 to
fatten usurers. bankrupt enterprise and en-
s saye inaas g1ynd vast conspiracy
two continents. and it is rapidly taking
possession Of the world. If not met and
overthrown at once it forebodes terrible
ilization. or the establishment of an alb
solute despotism. We have witnessed for
more than n, tb quarter Of century the
for power and plumber, while grievous
wrongs have been inflicted upon the suf-
f feping people We charge that the con
parties have permitted the existing dread
full conditions to develope. without seri-
Neither do they ' now promise us US any s' Sub
stantial reform. They have agreed to-
gether to ignore, in the coming Campaign
drown, the outcries of plundered people
with the uproar of a sham battle over the
tariff: so that capitalists, corporations
tization of silver, and the expressions of
the usurers may all be lost sight Of
and to fSe alter OF
to destroy the multitude in order to secure
corruption funds for the millionaires. AS
of the nation. and filled with the spirit
OF the grand generation of men. who estab-
nshed . our independence we seek to re-
whose class it originated. We assert our
purposes to be identical with the purpose
more perfect union. establish justice, in
sure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general well
for ourselves and our posterity."
We declare that this republic can only
endure as free government while built
upon the love Of the whole people for each
other and for the nation; that it cannot be
pinned together by bayonets, that the civil
Which srew eu Of It mast die
with 1T; and that we must be in fact as
we are in name. one united brotherhood
ditions for which there is no precedent in
the history of the world. Our annual ag
ricultural products amount to billions of
dollars in value, which must within few
weeks or months be exchanged for billions
of dollars of commodities consumed in
supply is Wholly inadequate to make this this
exchange. The results are falling prices,
the formation of combines and rings, and
class. I'VE 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
nent-in other words, of the people-should
be expanded las in the case Of the postal
good sense of an intelligent people, and the
teachings of experience shall justify; to
erty Shall eventually O Cease in the land.
While our sympathies as party. of re-
form are naturally upon the side Of every
Intelligent, virtuous and temperate. we
sLuG ONE NiGHT N 4 R is n
pCrtant as they areas secondary to the
great issues now pressing for solution;
and upon which not only our individual
prosperity, but the very existence of free
nc md eli oil
to first help us determine whether we are
to have republic to administer, before
It is to be beeyi nPo that the
forces of reform this day organized will
never cease to move forward until every
wrong is righted and equal privileges estab-
lished for all the men and women Of this
country.
We declare, therefore.
UNION OF TIE PEOPLE
First-That the union Of the labor forces
of the United States this day contaminated
shall be permanent and perpetual; may it's
spirit enter into all hearts. for the saliva
ma nkiu!.
secord-Wealth belongs to him who Gre
ates it.; and every dollar taken from in
dustry. without an equivalent. is robbery.
eff 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
own the railroads.; and should the govern
ment enter upon the work of owning and
managing the railroads. we should favor
which all persons engaged in the govern
ment service shall be protected by civil
service regulations of the most rigid char
acter, SO as to prevent the increase OF the
power of the national administration by
the use of such additional government en-
ployes.
We demand a national currency, safe,
sound, and flexible; issued by the gen
eral government only; a full legal tender
without the use Of banking corporations,
just, equitable and efficient means of distri-
button direct to the people, at tax not to
exceed 2 per cent per annum, to be pro-
vided as set forth in the sub-treasury 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 ratio
We demand that the amount of circulat-
ing medium be speedily increased to not
less than $50 per capita.
We demand a graduated income tax:
try should be kept, as much as possible. in
the hands Of the people; and hence we
nues shall be limited to the necessary
expenses Of the government, economically
and honestly administered.
We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the government for the
safe deposit of the earnings of the people,
and the fas!1 eli sHsno Of sx shanE
Transportation being a means of ex-
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
The telegraph and telephone, like the
postofne system: being necessity for the
transmission Of news. should be owned
interets of the people;