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

aAfs SIS, LiNiS, July S-EhO following Ia
tho platform adopted by the PopulIst
convention to-day: tas
The Peoples party. assembled In ma
ttonal convention, rPnttirms Ito allegi-
ancc to tho principles OF the founders OF
the republic and also to the fundamental
principles Of Just government as annun-
ciatcd In the platform nf the party In
1892, but recognizes that through tho ac-
tion ,of. tho present and preceding adj
mintstratlons, the country has reached
a crisis In Its national life as predicted In
our platform four years ago, and ut
present prompt and patriotic action IL
the supreme duty OF the hour. We real
I tZe that while we have political lndc-
pendence, our financial and Industrial
Independence IL yet 10 be attained by re-
f storing to the peoples government the
constitutional control and exercise of tho
functiors necessary to that end, which
functions have been baSely surcendcr-
ed by our public servants TO corporate
monopolles.
The influence OF European money
changers has been more potent In shap-
inE legislation than the voice OF the
American people. Executive power and
patronage have been used to corrupt our
legislatures and defeat the Will OF the
people, and plutocracy has thereby been
cnthroned upon the ruins OF democracy.
To restore the government OF the fathers
and for the welfare and prosperity OF
this and future generations. We demand
the establishment OF our economic and
financial system which shnll make the
z matters OF our own affairs Independent
of European CONTROL by the adoption OF
( the following principle:
First-We demand q national curren-
cy. safe and sound, issued by the general
government only, u 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
the lawful disbursement OF the govern
ment.
Secand-We demand the free and I'M
restricted coinage OF silver and gold at
the present legal ratio OF 10 TO by the
United States, without waiting for the
consent OF foreign nations.
Thlrd-we demand that tie volume OF
circulating medium be speedily inCreas-
ed to an amount sufficient TO meet the
demands OF the business and population
OF this country. and to restore the Just
and thereby establish prosperity and
happiness for the people.
F'ourth-Ws denounce the sale OF
bonds and the Increase OF the public in
terest-bearinS debt made by the public
administration as unnecessary and
without authority OF law, and we de-
mand 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.
Fifth-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
ment 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 ndministra-
tons for surrcndering this option TO the
holders OF government obligations.
Seventh-We demand graduated in
come tax TO the end that aggregated
wealth shall bear Its Just proportion OF
taxation. and we denounce the recent de-
cfsion OF the supreme court in regard TO
the income tax as q misinterpretation OF
the constitution and an invasion OF the
right full powers OF Congress over the
z subject of taxation. A true policy de-
rnands that the national and state legis-
latiOn shall be such as Will ultimately
enable every prudent and Industrious
man 10 own a house and therefore the
land should not be monop0llzcd for spec
ulative purposes. All agricultural and
grazing lands now held by railroad COR
poratinns IN excess OF their actual need
should by lawful means be reclaimed by
the government, and held for actual
Z settlers only, and private land monopoly
X should be prevented by appropriate
state and national legislation. We con-
denim the frauds, the land grant Of the
Pacific railroads company, through the
4 connlyance of the interior department.
which robbed multitude5 Of actual and
bona fide settlers Of their homes and
miners OF their claims, and we demand
legislation BY Congress which will 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-
taIRed, SO that five percentage OF The
citizens shall have the right Of inItlat-
ing, framing and preparing laws and
compelling the submission thereof. and
vi VII lill IhNS, IbppoSt'
by national, state or local legislatures,
TO Il direct vote OF the people for their
approval or rejection.
Transportation being n means OF e1-
change and n public necessity, the gov
eminent should own and operate the
railroads In the interest OF the people;
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 to be ac-
complished gradually. In manner con-
sistent with Enund policy.
The Interest OF the United States In the
public highways built with public mon
eyS and the proceeds OF extensive grants
OF land. known as the Pacific railroads.
should never be allcnated. mortEaEcd or
gold. but guarded and protected for the
general welfare rs provided by the laws
organizing said Pacific railroads The
foreclosure Of the subRlytlng liens OF the
United States on those roads should Mt
once follow default in payment thereof
by the debtor companies. and that the
foreclosures Of said rnad1 the govern
mcnt shall purchase the same. II 1t be-
comes necessary TO protect the interests
therein. or II the same can be purchased
at a reasonable price: and the govern
mcnt shall operate said railroads rs pub
lie highways for tho benefit OF the whole
people and not In the interest OF the few,
under suitable provisions for protection
= of life and property, giving 10 all trans
portatlon interests equal privileges and
equal rates OF fare and frcighta
We .denOuncc the present Infamous
schemes for refundIng these debts and
demand that the laws now applicable
thereto be executed and administered