The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-07-31
THE POPULIST PLATFORM.
It Favors FREQ Coinage, an Income Tax
and Government Railroads.


platform, rs reported by the majority of tho
Committee on Resolutions and adopted 10y
the convention, is as follows: "
The Peoples party, assembled in National
Convention, reaffirms its allegiance TO the
principles declared by tho founders Of the
Republic, aud also to tho fundamental prin-
ciples Of just government as enunciated in
the platform Of tho party In 1892. We recog-
nize that, through the connivance OF the
present and preceding Administrations, tho
country has reached u crisis in its National
life, "a predicted in our declaration four
years ago, and that prompt and patriotic ac-
ton is the supreme duty of tho hour.
We realize that while we have political in
dependence, our financial and industrial in
dependence is yet to be attained by restor-
ing to our country the Constitutional con-
troll and exercise of tho functions necessary
to n peoples Government, which functions
have been basely surrendered bv our public
servants to corporate monopolies. Tho in
nuence OF European money changers has
been plore potent in shaping legislation than
the voice of tho American people. EXecu-
tive power and patronage have been used to
corrupt our Legislatures and defeat the will
of tho people, and plutocraey has thereby
been enthroned upon the ruins OF De-
mocracy. TO restore the Government in
tended by the fathers, and for the welfare
and prosperity OF this and future genera
tions, we demand tho establishment Of an
ecoAomic anu ilhallciai system Wnlcn snail
make us masters OF our own affairs and indc
pendent Of European control. hy the adop-
tion OF tho following:
Declaration of Principles.
I. We demand Il National money, safe and
sound, issued by tho general Government
only, without tho intervention of banks Of
issue, to be Il full legal tender for all dcpts.
efficient means Of distribution direct to the
people and through the lawful disbursc-
ments of tho Government.
9. We demand tho FREQ and unrestricted
coinage Of silver and gold at the rrcsent
legal ratio OF sixteen 10 one. without waiting
for the consent OF foreign Nations.
3. We demand tho volume of circulating
medium be steadily increased to an amount
sufficient TO meet The demands OF tho bust
ness and population end to restore the just
level Of prices of labor and production.
4. We GenOunce tho sale OF bonds and tho
increase OF the public interest bearing debt
made by tho present Administration as un-
necessary and without authority of law, and
demand that no more bonds be issued except
10y specific act of Congress.
5. We demand such legislation rs will pro-
vent the dcmonetization Of the lawful money
Of the United States by private contract.
6. Wo demand that tho Government, in
payment of its obligations, shall use its
option as to the kind OF lawful money in
which they are to be paid. and we Gcnouuce
the present and preceding Administrations
ior surrondcrin: this rptiCn 80 me holders OF
Government obligations.
7. We demand n graduated income tax, TO
he end tGat aggregated wealth shall bear its
Just proportion OF taxation. and we regard
he recent decision OF the Supreme Court re-
ativc to the Income Tax law aS : misinter-
prc;aiiOn of tho Constitution and an in-
r3Slon OF the ri"htful powers OF Congress
over tho subject Of taxation.
= We demand that postal savings banks
llSl nv ia N,Nr
-nlo deposit Of the savings OF tEs people AMI
10 facilitate exchange.
Transportation.
!. Transportation Lnia: n means of OK
change and public necessity, The Govern
mvnt should own an operate tho railroads
in the interest Of the people and on II non
partisan basis. To the end that all may bc ac-
corded the same treatmrntin transportation,
and thar the tyranny and political power now
exercised by the great railroad corporations
winch result in the impairment. il not tho
destruction, Of the political rights and per-
Soual liberties OF the citizen. may be de-
stroyc1. Such ownership is to be accom-
riiSncG gradually in Z manner ConSiSto ut
with sound public policy.
:. Tn" interest Gf the United States in tho
public HIGHWAYS built with pubic moneys.
and the proceeds Of extensive grants OF land
t. tho Pacific railroads. should never be
ah"n&tcd. mortCaCcd. or sold, hut guarded
and protected !or the general welfare rs pro-
vid"H by the laws organizing such railroads.
TGr foreclosure Of existing liens ofthc United
T'tlcS on 'h'>c roads shGn'd n, once ioiiow
ucItuit IN the payment tE"ie"i oi the Iebto.
eompani, ;; anu at tho iortci3sure sales OF
s,.o roadS tne government Sh"il purchaSe
TIC same II it becomes necessary to protect
nS interests thcrc'h, or IL thcy can De nur-
ch'>cu TX u reasohapic pr!ce; ana thc Gov
r'hIieht ShaIi operate slio raiirCadS a. pun
nc nLSN"hIS lor thn hcneht "i tAc wn"!o
peHPIc' anu I"t Ill thc interest o. 'ic lcW,
nn'cr nn'cr SuiIho'e provisions Tor rro'ecuoh OF
IIc anu property. Gt'lii, l" ah transports,
t,YH ititcF 'S'S cum hr''il"SC" IN" cN"ai
i"scH r"r tires tH" 'rr'SE''. ,
d. we "cH""hc% "a" prc7sh' 'h'"IHo,''
ScnciEe, '"r rc'nhu'hS thcac ue"'T, anu "'-
i'"i!H 'Hhl me ';'W' now f"!ifai!c tn"r'.p
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