The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-06-05
PEOPLES PLATFORM.
ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION
AT OMAHA, NEB., JULY 4, 1892.

midst of nation brought to the verge Of
moral moral ruin; Corruption dominates the
anu touches even the erm mir V on the
most of the states have been Compelled
to prevent universal intimidation or bri-
sidized or muzzled; public opinion siienced;
with mortgages: labor Impoverished:
and the land Concentrating in the hands
OF the capitalists. The urban workmen
self-protection; imported pauperized la
Dor beats down their wages hireling
nr shsy n " sSos by our laws is estab
ditions. The. fruits of the tolls Of mill
fortunes for few, unprecedented in the
history of mankind, and the possessors
OF these In turn despise the republic and
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 public debt. payable in legal tender
to the burden of the people.
Silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of history. has been de-
monetzed to add to the purchasing power
Of gold. by decreasing all forms Of prop
erty. as well as human labor, and the sup
fatten usurers. bankrupt enterprise and en-
against msnkind has be aS' organized shieIt on
possession Of the world If not met and
overthrown at once, 1t .forebodes terrible
ilization. or the establishment tot Of an alb
solute despotism. We have witnessed for
more than a quarter of century the
for ana p1nae sa' P% 6i'at sr Ress
wrongs have been inflicted upon the suf-
fering people. We charge that the con-
parties have permitted the existing dread
full conditions to develope, without seri-
ons efIort to prevent or restrain them
stantial reform. They have agreed to-
gether to ignore, in the coming campaign,
every issue fsa but one They propose to
with the uproar of sham battle over the
tariff: so that capitalists, corporations,
tization of silver. and the expressions Of
the usurers may all be lost sight of.
They propose to sacrifice our homes.
to destroy the multitude in order to secure
corruption funds for the millionaires. AS
sembled on the anniversary Of the birthday
OF the grand generation of men, who estab-
lished our independence. we seek to re-
store sh nt the Of the republic to
whose class it originated. We assert our
purposes to be identical with the purpose
d
more perfect union. establish justice. in
sure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense. promote the general well
fare, and secure the blessing Of liberty
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 1t cannot be
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
Of dollars Of commodities consumed in
is WboR e make tSy
exchange The results are falling prices,
the formation OF combines and rings, and
class. We pledge ourselves that if given
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 es Shall eventually Cease in the a land
While our sympathies as a party of re-
form are naturally upon the side of every
Intelligent virtuous and temperate, we
nevertheless regard these Questions-im-
portant 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
institutions depends; and we ask all men
to have a 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-
lished for all the men and women of this
country.
We declare. therefore.
UNION OF THE 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
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.
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
the raroads ,b ana ao shou nc the
| managing the railroads, We should favor
an amendment to the 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
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
for all debts public and private; and that
lust. equitable and efficient means Of distri-
button direct to the people, at a tax not to
exceed per cent per annum, to be pro-
odf fbe se1 Alliance or some betep
system: also by payments in discharge OF
it's obligations for public ads imIRrovements
Of silver and gold at the present legal ratio
" We " d. demand that the amount OF circulat-
Ing medium be speedily increased to not
| less than $50 per capita.
We demand a graduated "a ateao income tax
| 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 limited to the necessary
| and honestly administered.
We demand that postal savings banks
| be established by the government for the
and the facilitation Of exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
TRANSFORMATION being a means of ex-
change and public necessity. the govern
IN mem the s interest Of the people le 'oaus
The telegraph and telephone, like the
postofe SYSTEM being s necessity for the
and operated by the government in the
interets Of the people.
| LANDS.
! The land. including all natural sources
of wealth, is the heritage. Of the people
and should not be rnonopilized for specu.
iatiye purposes; and ara alien ownership Q!
lanu na IN, rai;roads ana oth.r 1or .a.u