The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-07-22
THE PLATFORM
Proposed for Consideration of the
St. Louis Convention.
Government Ownership of Rail.
roads and Telephones Asked.

st. Louis, July MISUNDERSTANDING the
snuperabundance of platforms which indi-
vidual delegates are prepared to unload
upon the committee on resolutions, the
sentiment grows stronger that the Ne
braska platform adopted in Omaha, July
L. 1892 will form the basis of that commit
tees recommendations. This was the
platform which ex-Gov. st. John of Kan
sas, attempted to force upon the Prohibi-
tionnsts in Pittsburg last June and which,
being rejected, led to the bolt Of the free
silver Prohibitionsts This platform was
brief and read as follows:
I'VE meet in the midst of a nation
brought to the verge of moral, political
and material ruin. Corruption dominates
the ballot box, the legislature, the CON-
gress, and touches even the ernine of the
bench.
1.-The national power to create money is
appropriated to English bondholders; a
vast public debt payable in legal tender
currency has been funded into gold bear
Mig bonds, thereby adding millions to the
burdens of the people.
"Silver, which has been accepted as coin
since the dawn of liberty, has been de-
monetized to add to the purchasing price
Of gold by decreasing the value of all
form of property, including labor. A vast
conspiracy is gradually taking possession
of the world.
1--WE assert our purposes to be identical
with the purposes of the national constiu-
ton; to form more perfect union and
establish Justice, insure domestic tram
guilty. provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare and secure
the blessings Of liberty for ourselves and
OUR posterity.
1--WE declare that this republic. can only
endure as a free government while built
upon the love OF the whole people for
each other and for the nations that can
not be pinned together by bayonets.
I'VE believe the time has come when
the people or the people must own the rail-
roads.
I'VE demand a national currency, safe,
sound and flexible, issued by the general
government only, a full 1exal tender for all
debts public and private, ard that without
the use Of banking corporations, Just,
equitable and efficient means Of distribu-
ton direct to the people.
I'VE demand free and unlimited COIN
age Of silver and gold at the present legal
ratio OF Is to !.
I'VE believe that the money Of the coun-
try s.iculd be Kept as much as possible i'm
the hands Of the PEOPLE, and hence we de-
mEnd that all state and national revenues
shall be limited to the necessary expenses
Of the government economically and hon
,estly administered.
Transportation, being means Of ex-
e;,snss and 8 public necessity, the gov
ernment should own and operate the rail-
roads in tie interest OF the people.
'sss telegraph and telephone, like the
posroff:ce system, being a necessity for
the Transmission Of news should be own
ed and operated by the government in the
interest Of the people.
''Ths land. including all the natural
sources OF wealth. is the heritage OF the
people ard should not be monopolized
for speculation purposes. and alien own
ershtp OF land Shouts be prohibited.
I'VE demand a. free ballot and q fair
count In oil elections without federal in
PREVENTION.
1--WE condemn the fallacy OF protecting
American labor under the present system
which opens our ports to the pauper and
criminal classes Of the world and crowds
ont our wage-earners; and we 'deno,ince
the present ineffective laws against con-
tract labor and demand the further re-
sttictfon Of undesirable Immigration"