The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-09-10

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ton, which was SO universally con-
demned by the press of the State and
all classes Of our citizens, when it first
became known. We therefore demand
that the next General Assembly fully
investigate this transaction, and to
the end that the interests Of the State
may be fully protected as far rs it can
be done, such legislative action shall
be taken as to counterfeit, as far as
possible, this unwise and secret trans
action.
REMOVAL OF CASES.
The removal of cases from the State
| courts to the Federal courts for trial
| wherein the plaintiffs are poor per-
sons and defendants rich foreign cor
pOrations. on application of defend
| ants, is growing evil in North Caro-
lima, and in its practical operation
frequently amounts to a denial of JUS
| tice to poor suitors, and therefore
should be condemned. We demand,
therefore, that the next General As
sembly shall pass such q general stat
| ate on this subject as to take from
such corporations doing business in
this State the privilege of carrying on
| business in North Carolina, and with
drawing the protection of the State
| extended to their business, if they
persist in escaping the jurisdiction of
our courts when claims are sought to
be enforced against them therein.
We advocate such legislation as will
insure just listing and taxation of
all evidences of debt, and make an
| equitable adjustment of the burden of
| taxation between the debtor and a
creditor.
REDUCTION OF salaries.
In order to keep our public servants
in thorough touch and sympathy with
the oppressed masses, and to check to
some extent the scramble for office,
We demand reduction of salaries un-
til such time as through an increase
OF the currency the price of property
and products will Justify the present
rates.
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted:
The Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tlonal convention, reaffirms its allegiance
to the principles declared by the founders
of the Republic and also tosfhe fundament-
al principles of just govern mt as enunci-
ated in the platform of ths.pkty in 1892.
We recognize that through The connivance
tons, the country has reached crisis in its
National life as predicted in our declaration
four years ago, and that prompt and patri-
otlc 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
10 our country the constitutional control
and exercise of the functions necessary to a
people government which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public ser
wants to corporate monopolies. The int1u-
ence OF 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 TINS and future generations, we demand
the establishment of an economic and ii.
nanclal system which shall make us mas
tiers OF our own affairs, and independent of
European control by the adoption of the
following:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
1: We demand National money. safe
and sound issued by the general govern
ment only without the intervention of
banks of issue, to be full legal tender for
all debts, public and private, so that just,
equitable and efficient means of distribution
may be made direct to the people and
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 16 to l without waiting for the
consent Of foreign nations.
&. We demand the volume of circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet the demands of the bust
ness people of this country and to restore
the Just level of prices of labor and pro-
ductiOn.
4. We denounce the sale of bonds and the
increase of the public interest," bearing bond
debt made by the present administrator as
unnecessary and without authority of law
and that no more bonds be issued excent
by specific act of Congress-
5: We demand such legal legislation az
will prevent the demonstration of the law
ful money OF the United States by private
contract.
e. We demand that the government in
payment OF its obligations shall use its op-
tons as to the kind of lawful money in
which they are to be paid and we denounce
the present and preceding administration
r surrenderlng this option to the holder s
OF government obligations.
I. We demand graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear
its just proportion of taxation and we de-
nounce the Supreme court, relative to the
income tax law, as a misinterpretation of
the constitution and an invasion of the
rightfui powers of Congress over the sub.
jeGt of taxation.
8. We demand that postal savings hanks
be esta blished by the government for the
safe deposit OF the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
RAILROADS.
l. Transportation being a means of ex-
change and a public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
in the interest of the people on non-par-
tisan basis; to the end that all may be &C
| corded the same treatment in TRANSPORTS
ton, and that the tyranny and political
power now exercised by the great railroad
corporations, which results in the imnair
ment if not the destruction of the political
rights and personal liberties of the citizens
may be destroyed. Such ownership is tn he
accomplished gradually in manner con.
sistent with sound policy.
2. The interest of the United States in the
public highways built with public MONEYS
and the proceeds of extensive grants of lonI
to the Pacific railroad should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded ana
protected for the general welfare as provid
ed by the laws of organizing such railroads.
The foreclosure of existing lines of the I'M.
ted States on these rOa1s should ~ -,