The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-07-25

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ST. LOUIS, July "I.-rho following IN
tho platform adopted by the populIst
convention to-day:
The Peoples party, assembled In nn-
ttonal convention, reatlrms It's ulleEi-
ance to tho principles OF the founders OF
I. the republic and also to the fundamental
principles of just government rs annun-
ciated In the platform OF the party In
1882, but recognizes that through the ac-
lion s9r the present ana preceding nd
mlniStrttlons, the country has reached
acrisls In It's national lie us predicted In
our platform four years ago, and at
present prompt and patriotic action IL
the supreme duty OF the hour. We real
tEe that while we have political indie
pendcnce, our financial and Industrial
Independence IL Yet 10 be attained by rv-
storing to the peoples government the
constitutional control and exercise OF tho
functtons necessary to that end, which
functions have been bascly surrender
ed by our public servants to corporate
monopolles.
The influence OF European money
changers has been more potent In shap-
Ing legislation than the voice of the
American people. Executive power and
patronage have been used to Cnrrupt our
legislatures and defeat the will OF the
people. and plutocracy has thereby been
enthroned upon the ruins OF democracy,
To restore the government OF the ruthers
and for the welfare and prosperity OF
thiS and future generations. we demand
the establishment OF our economic and
financial system which shull make the
matters OF our own affairs independent
of European control by the adoption OF
the following principle;
F1rst-We demand q national curren-
cy. safe md sound iSsued by the general
government only. full legal tender OF
all debts public and private. and without
the use OF banking corruption: an hon
est, equitable and efficient means OF dis
tribution direct to the people through
Z the lawful disbursement OF the governs
ment.
Second-We demand the free and un-
restricted coinage OF silver and gold at
the present legal ratio OF 10 10 l by the
United States, without waiting for the
consent Of foreign nations.
Third-We demand that tie volume OF
circulating medium be speedily increas-
demands OF the business and population
OF this country, and to restore the Just
level OF prices and labor and production
and thereby establish prosperity and
happiness for the people.
Fourth-Wa denounCe the sale OF
bonds and the Increase OF the public In
terest-bearing debt made by the public
administration as unnecessary and
without authority OF law, and We de-
mand a law absolutely prohibiting the
sale OF bonds and increase OF the public
debt, except in accordance with an act
or acts Of Congress authorizing the
same.
Fitth-We demand such legislation as
will prevent the decentralization OF the
lawful money OF the United States by
private contract
Sixth-We demand that the govern
nlert In payment Of the obligations shall
use Its option as to the kind OF lawful
money OF the United States In which
they are to be paid. and We dsnounce
the present and preceding adminlstra-
lions for surrendering this option to the
holders OF government obligations
Seventh-Wc demand a graduated in
come tax TO the end that aggregated
wealth shall bear Its Just proportion of
taxation, and we denounce the recent de-
cision OF the supreme court in regard to
the Income tax as q mialnterpretntiOn OF
the constitution and an invasion OF the
rtShtful powers Of Congress over the
subject OF taxation. A true policy de-
mands that the national and state lagis-
lation shall be such rs will ultimately
enable every prudent and Industrious
man 10 own 4 house and therefore the
land should not be monopolized for spec
ulativc PURPOSES. All agricultural and
.lN MI Il
poratlOns In excess of their actual need
should by lawful means be reclaimed by
the government, and held for actual
settlers only. and private land monopoly
should be prevented by appropriate
state and national legislation. We con-
denim the frauds, the land grant of the
Pacific railroads company, through the
s connivance or the interior department.
which robbed nult!tudeS of actual and
bona flde settlers Of their homes and
miners OF their claims, and We demand
legislation by Congress which VIII en-
force the exception Of mineral lands
from such grants after as well as before
patent.
We hold that oil governments derive
their Just powers from the consent OF the
governed. and in order that the consent
OF the government may be clearly aScer-
talaed, SO that q five percentage OF The
citizens shall have the right OF inItIat-
ms. framing and preparing laws and
compelling the submission thereof, and
Of oil important laws whether proposed
BY national, state or local legislatures,
10 n direct vote of the people for their
approval or rejection.
Transportation being n means OF eX-
change and public necessity. the gov
eminent should own and operate tho
n IN ty,tp Of no y,In
to the end that all men may be accorded
the same treatment In transportation.
and that the tyrrany and political power
now exercised by large corporations,
which result In the impairment, II not
the destruction OF the political right and
personal liberty Of the citizens may be
destroyed, such ownership Is 10 BE- ac-
compllshed gradually. In manner con-
sistent with sound policy.
The interest Of the United States In the
public highways built with public mon
eyg and the proceeds Of extensive grants
OF land. known as the Pacific railroads.
should never be alienated, mOrtgaErd or
sold. but guarded and protected for the
general welfare as provided by the laws
organizing said Pacific railroads. The
foreclosure of the subalstlng liens OF the
United States m those roads should ut
once follow default In payment thereof
by the debtor companies and that the
foreclosures Of said roadT. the govern
mcnt shall purchase the same, II II be-
comes necessary 10 protect tho interests
therein. or IL the same can be purchased
at n reasonable price: and the govern
ment shall operate said railroads az pub
lie highways for the benefit OF the whole
people and not In the Interest Of the few
under suitable provisions for protection
nd wi tF,s oil