Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-26
THE PoPULrsT PLATFORM.
Free-sfIver Coinage-Direct Legisla-
tion-ineome-Tax.

ST LOUIS, July 2.-Ihe full text or the
Populist platform is as follows:
The Peep es Party. assembled IN ma
tional convention, reaffirms its allegi-
ance TO the principles declared by the
founders OF the republic, and also TO the
fundamental principles OF just govern
ment as enunciated In the platform OF
the party In 1892
we recognize that through the conni-
vance Of the present and preceding ad-
mInistratlons, the country has reached
| crisis In its national life. as predicted In
our declaration four years ago and that
prompt and patriotic action Is the su-
preme duty OF the hour.
We realize that, while we have political
independence, our financial and indus
trial Independence 10 yet to be attained
by restoring 20 our country the consti-
tutional control and exercise OF the func-
! lions necessary 10 tho peoples govern
ment. which functions have been basely
surrendered by our public servants TO
corporate monopolies. The influence Of
European moneychangers has been more
| potent in shaping legislation than the
| voice of the American people Executive
mower and patronage have been used 10
/ corrupt our legislatures, and defeat the
| Will OF the people, and plutccracy has
| thereby been enthroned upon the ruins Of
| democracy. To restore the government
| Intended by the fathers, and for the well
| fare and prosperity OF this and future
generations, we demand the establishment
| OF an economic and financial system,
which shall make Us masters OF our own
affairs and independent OF European con-
| troll, by the adoption OF the following
| declaration of principles:
THE MONEY PLANK.
|. We demand "A national money. safe
| and sound, issued by the General Gov
/ ernment only. without the intervention
| Of banks OF issue. to be full legal
| tender for all debts. public and private
| a Just, equitable and efficient means OF
| distribution, direct 10 the people, and
| through tho lawful disbursements OF the
| government.
2 We demand the free and unrestricted
| coinage Of silver and gold, at the present
| legal ratio OF IS to 1. without waiting for
the consent OF foreign nations.
3 We demand that the volume Of cir
| culating medium be speedily increased TO
| an amount sufficient 10 meet the demands
| Of the business and population, and TO re-
store the just level OF prices OK labor and
| production.
4. We denounce the sale Of bonds, and
the Increase Of the public interest-bearing
| debt made by the present administration
| as unnecessary and without authority OF
| law. and demand that no more bonds be
issued, except by specific act Of Congress.
5. We demand such legislation as will
prevent the demonetza ton OF the lawful
money of the United States by private
| contract
6. We demand that the government
In payment Of its obligations, shall use
its option as to the kind OF lawful money
in which they are 20 be paid, and we de-
nounce the present and preceding ad-
ministrattOns for surrendering this option
to the holders Of government obligations.
7. We demand graduated income tax.
to the end that aggregated wealth shall
bear its lust proportion OF taxation, and
We regard the recent decision OF the Su-
preme Court relative TO the income-tax
law as a mlsinterpretatlon Of the COnsti-
tuition and an invasion OF the rightfui
powers of Congress over the subject OF
taxation.
We Aenand n at postal saving banks
be established BY the government for the
safe deposit OF the savings Of the people
and TO facilitate exchange.
RAILROADS AND TELEGRAPHs.
]. Transportation being a means Of ex-
change and a public necessity, the gov
railroads In the interest OF the people
and on a non-partisan basis. to the end
that all may be accorded the same treat
ment In transportation, and that the
tyranny and political power now ex-
erclsed by the great railroad corporations,
which resulted In the impairment. II not
the destruction OF the political rights
and personal liberties OF the citizen,
NAV be destroyed. Such ownership Is
to be accomplished gradually, In a man
ner consistent with sound public policy
@ The interest Of the United States
I'm the public highways built with public
moneys, and the proceeds of grants OF
land TO the Pacific railroads, should
never be alienated, mortgaged, or sold,
but guarded and protected for the gem
eral welfare. as provided by the laws Or
ganizing such railroads TIE foreclosure
OF existing Hens Of the United States on
these roads should at once follow default
I'm the payment thereof by the debtor
companies; and at the foreclosure sales
OF said roads the government should pur-
chase the same, II II becomes necessary
TO protect its interests therein, or II they
can be purchased At a reasonable price:
and the government should operate said
railroads as public highways for the bene-
fit of the whole people. and not in the
interest Of the few, under suitable pro-
visions for protection Of life and property
giving 10 all transportation interests
equal privileges and equal rates for fares
and freights.
3. We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts. and
demand that the laws now applicable
thereto be executed and administered ac-
cording to their intent and spirit.
4. The telegraph, like the post-ofice
system. being a necessity, for the trans
mission OF news, should be owned and
onerated by the government In the inte-
rest OF the people.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
1 True policy demands that the ma
tional and State Legislation shalt be such
as will ultimately enable every prudent
and industrious citizen 10 secure a home;
and. therefore, the land should not be
monopolized for speculative purposes. All
lands now held by railroads and other
corporations IN excess OF their actual
needs should. by lawful means, be re-
claimed by the government and held for
actual settlers only, and private land
monopoly as well as alien ownership,
should be prohibited.
. we condemn the frauds by which
the Immigrant Pacific railroad compa-
nies have. through the connivance OF the
Interior Department. robbed mutltudes
OF actual. bona-6de settlers OF their
homes. and miners of their claims, and
we demand legislation by Congress
which Will enforce the exemption Of
mineral land from such grants after. as
well as before the patent.
3. We demand that bona-fde settlers
on sill public lands be granted free
homes. as provided In the national home
stsad law and that no exception be
made in the case Of Indian reservations
when opened for settlement. and that
ali lands not now patented come under