The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-08-20
THE ALLIANCE DEMANDS.

Whereas, The declaration of indie
pendence, as basis for republican
form Of government that might be
progressive and perpetual, states:
"That all men are created equal, that
they are endowed with certain inallen-
able rights, that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
that to secure these rights govern
ments are institut ed among mer, de-
irving their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed"
We hold, therefore, that to restore
and preserve these rights under re-
publican form Of government, private
monopolies of public necessities for
speculatives purposes, whether of the
means of production, distribution or
exchange, should be prohibited, and
whenever any such public necessity
or utility becomes monopoly IN pri-
vate hands, the people of the munlci-
pality, state or union, as the case may
be, shall appropriate the same by light
of eminent domain, paying just
value therefor, and operate them for,
and in the interest of, the whole peo-
pie.
We demand a national currency,
safe, sound and flexible issued by the
general government only; a full legal
tender for all debts and receivable for
alldues, and an equitable and efficient
means Of distribution Of this currency,
directly to the people, at the mini
mum of expense and without the in
tervention of banking corporations
and in sufficient volume to transact
the business of the country on cash
basis.
(d) We demand the free and un-
limited coinage of silver and gold at
the legal ratio of 16 to
(b) We demand graduated income
tax.
(c) That our national legislation
shall be SO framed in the future as not
to build up one industry at the expense
OF another.
CD We believe that the moneysoi
, the country should be kept as much as
possible in the hands of the people
! and hence we demand that all nation.
al and state revenues shall be limited
) to the necessary expenses of the gov.
eminent economically and honestly
administered.
, (e) We demand that postal saving;
banks be established by the govern
> ment for the safe deposits Of the say
: ings of the people, and to facilitate
+ exchange.
% We are unalterably opposed t.
the issue by the United States, of in
terest-bearing bonds, and demand tn.
, payment of all coin obligations OF tn,
p United States, as provided by existin.
laws, in either gold or silver coin, d
the option of the government and ne
at the option of the creditor.
TRANSPORTATION.
ca The government shall purchas
/ or construct and operate a sutlcien
3: mileage Of railroads to effect ua'l
S control all rates of transportation 81
: just and equitable basis.
(b) The telegraph aud telephon.
like the postoffice system, being
: necessity for the Transmission inteiiig
0 ence, should be owned aud operate
q by the government in the Interest q
the people.
# We demand that no land shall b
:. held by corporations for speciality
n purposes or by railroads In excess O
g their needs as carriers, and all land
& now owned by aliens should be r.
claimed by the government and he!
Tor actual settlers only.
ELECTION OF UNITED STATES SENATORS
II We demand the election of Unite
7. States senators by direct vote of th
e people. That each state shall b
n divided into two districts of nearl
{ equal voting population, and that
It senator from each shall be elected b
: the people of the district.
% DIRECT LEGIsLATION
r, Relying upon the good, commo
) sense of the American people, and be
II lieving that a majority of them, whe
r uninfiuenced by party prejudice, wi
$, vote right on all questions submitte
II to them on their merits; and furthe
e to e1fectually annihiiate the pern;ciou
IS lobby in legislation, we demand dire,
q legislation by means of the initiatiy
le and referendum.