The Caucasian., 1896-11-12
The Peoples Party National Platform.

rOIIOWlnS H the fOpullSt platlOrm as
adopted:
1.-The Peoples Party assembled In Ma
tional convention, reafirms its allegiance
to the principles declared by the founders
of the Republic and also to the fundament-
al principles of just government as enunci-
ated in the platform Of the party 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-
otic 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 q
peoples government which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public ser
wants to corporate monopolies. The indu-
ence of European money changers has been
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 t.
nanciel 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.
1. We demand National msney; 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
ernment.
2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage Of silver and gold at the present Ie-
gal ratio Of l6 to without waiting for the
consent of foreign nations.
3. We demand the volume of circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
| sufficient to meet the demands OF the busi-
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 administration as
unnecessary and without authority Of law
and that no more bonds be issued except
| by specific act of Congress.
| 5. We demand such legal legislation as
will prevent the demonetization Of the law
full money OF the United States by private
| contract.
6. We demand that the government in
payment Of its obligations shall use its op-
]
which they are to be paid and we denounce
the present and preceding administration
for surrendering this option to the holder
of government obligations.
Z. 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, al misinterpretation of
| the constitution and an invasion of the
rlghtful powers OF Congress over the sub
iect Of taxation.
8. We demand that postal sayings banks
be established BY the government for the
safe deposit of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
| RAILROADS.
l. Transportation being q means of ex-
change and public necessity, the govern
in the interest Of the people on a non-par.
tisan basis; to the end that sill may be &C
corded the came treatment in TRANSPORTS
ton, and that the tyranny and political
power now exercised by the great railroad
corporations, which results in the impair.
ment il not the destruction Of the political
rights and personal liberties Of the citizens
may be destroyed. Such ownership is to be
accomplished gradually in a manner con.
sistent with sound policy.
2. The interest Of the United States in the
public highways built with public MONEYS,
dAu tuc plOCSCOb u extensive grants OF land
to the Pacific railroad should never be alien.
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and
protected for the general welfare, as proyid.
ed by the laws of organizing such railroads
The foreclosure of existing lines of the Uni.
ted States on these roads should ct once fol.
low default in the payment thereof of the
debt of companies, and at the foreclosure
sales Of said roads the government shall
purchase the same il it becomes necessary
to protect its interest therein or if they can
be purchased at reasonable price; and the
government shall operate said railroads as
public highways for the benefit Of the
whole people and not in the interest of the
few, under suitable provisions for protec-
tcn of life and property; giving to all trans
portation interests and privileges and equal
rates for fares and freight.
8. We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refUnding these debts and de.
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
be executed and administered according 10
their true intent and spirit
4. The telegraph, like the postofice sys
tenn, beng necessity for the transmission
of news should be owned and operated by
the government in the interest of people.
II LAND.
! l.. The true policy demands tina. the "a.
tional and State legislation shall be such a.
will ultimately enable every prudent and
y i1dussieus eitizsn t. secure home, and