The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-11-05
The Peoples Party National Platform

The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted:
The Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tional convention, reaffirms its allegiance
to the principles declared by the founders
of the Republic and also to the fundsment-
al principles of just government as enunci-
ated in the platform of the party in 1882.
We recognize that through the connivance
of the present and preceding administra-
tons, the country has reached a crisis in its
National life az predicted in our declaration
four years ago, and that prompt and patri-
otto action is the supreme duty of the hour
We realize that while We have political indie
pendenee our financial and industrial indie
pendence is yet to be attained by restoring
to our country the constitutional control
and exercise of the functions necessary to a
peoples government, which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public SER
wants to corporate monopolies. The infu-
ence or European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than the
voice of the American people. Executive
power and patronage have been used to cor
rupt our legislatures to defeat the will of
the people and plutocracy has been en-
throned upon the ruins of Democracy. To
restore the government intended by the
| fathers and for the welfare and prosperity
! Of this and future generations, we demand
| the establishment of an economic and Fl.
nancial system which shall make US mas.
| ters OF our own affairs, and independent OF
European control by the adoption of the
| following:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
! /. We demand National ,nsney, safe
and sound issued by the general govern
ment only without the Intervention OF
banks of issue, to be full legal tender fol
all debts public and private, SO that Just
| equitable and efficient means Of distribution
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through the lawful disbursement of the gov
| eminent.
| 2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver and gold at the present le
gal ratio of l6 to without waiting for the
consent of foreign nations.
3. We demand the volume Of circulating
medium be speedily increased 10 an amour
sufficient to meet the demands OF the bust
ness people Of this country and 10 restor,
| the just level OF prices of labor and pro
duCtion.
4. We denounce the sale Of bonds and tn,
increase of the public interest bearing bono
debt made by the present administration a.
unnecessary and without authority of Law
and that no more bonds be issued eIcep
by specific act of Congress
5. We demand such legal legislation q.
will prevent the decentralization of the Jaw
full money of the United States by priyat.
contract.
6. We demand that the government i,
payment of its obligations shall use its OBJ
tons AZ to the kind of lawful money IL
which they are to be paid and we denounc
the present and preceding administrstio,
Of government obligations.
| Z. We demand graduated income tax Il
the end that aggregated wealth shall bea
| its just proportion of taxation and we de
nounce the Supreme court, relative to tn
income tax law, as a misinterpretatioD O
4 nf
righttul powers of Congress over the sub
ject of taxation.
8. We demand that postal savings bank
be established by the government for tn
safe deposit Of the savings of the peopl
and to facilitate exchange.
RAILROADS
| 1. Transportation being q means of e1
change and a public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroad
IN the interest OF the people On on-pal
; tisan basis: to the end that all may be az
corded the same treatment in transports
ton, and that the tyranny and politica
J power now exercised by the great railroa
: corporations, which results in the impair
ment If not the destruction of the politica
. rights and personal Liberties of the citizens
, may be destroyed. Such ownership i. 10 b
accomplished gradually in manner con
sistent with sound policy.
2. The interest of the United States in tn
pubhc highways built with public moneys
! and the proceeds of extensive grants of Ian
! to the Pacific railroad should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded an
protected for the general welfare, as provid
ed by the laws OF organizing such railroads
r The foreclosure of existing lines of the Uni
: ted States On these roads should at once fo
low default in the payment thereof of tn
. debt OF companies, and at the foreclosur
> sales OF caid roads the government shal
purchase the same If it becomes necessar
to protect its interest therein or if they ca;
e be purchased at a reasonable price; ard tn
/ government shall operate said railroads 8
2 public highways for the benefit of til
{ whole people and not in the interest of ia
few, under suitable provisions for protes
ton Of life and property; giving to ali tran:
portation interests and privileges and euus
rates for fares and freight.
8. We denounce the present infamou
z schemes for refunding these debts and de
J mand that the laws now applicable theret
: be executed and administered according I
their true intent and spirit.
. ( 4. The telegraph, like the postoffice sy.
: tenn, beng necessity for the transmissio
Of news should be owned and operated /,
the government In the interest OF people.
l. The true policy demands that the r.
tional and State legislation shall be such q
will ultimately enable every prudent an
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