The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-07-30
THE popvLisr PLATFORM
Il ravors Free Coinage, an Income Tas
ard Government Railroads.

ard Government Railroads.
ST. LOUIS, No.. July 25.-The Populist
platform, as reported by the majority Of the
Committee on Resolutions aud adopted w
the convention, is as follows;
The Peoples party, assembled in National
Convention. reaffirms its allegiance TO tho
principles declared by the founders OF the
Republic, and also TO the fundamental prin-
ciples OF just government M eDunciated in
the platform ofthe party In 1892. We recog-
nize that. through the connivance OF the
present and preceding Administrations, the
country has reached crisis in its National
life, AZ predicted In our declaration four
years ago. and that prompt and patriotic ac-
tion is the supreme duty OF the 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 the functions necessary
to peoples Government, which functions
have been basely surrendered bv our public
servants to corporate monopolies. The In
nuence OF European money changers has
been D,ore 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 the people. and plutocracy 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 the establishment OF an
economic aud financial system which shall
make us masters OF our own affairs and inde-
perdent OF European control, by the adop-
ton OF the followingi
Declaration OF Principles.
! I. We demand n National money, safe and
sound, Issued by the general Government
only, without the Intervention OF banks OF
issue, to be full legal tender for all deots.
public and private; u Just, equitable and
efficient means Of distribution direct 10 the
! people and through the lawful disburse-
ments OF the Government.
/ 2. We demand the tree and unrestricted
| coinage OF silver and gold at the present
J legal ratio Of ofsixteen TO one. without waiting
/ for the consent OF foreign Nations.
3. We demand the volume OF circulating
medium be steadily increased to an amount
sufficient TO meet .hc demands OF tho bust
ness and population and TO restore the just
level of prices Of labor and production.
4. We denounce the sale OF bonds and tho
Increase OF the public Understanding debt
made by the present Administration as un-
necessary and without authority OF law, and
demand that no more bonds be issued except
| by specific net OF Congress.
! o. We demand such legislation rs will pre-
vent the demonetlzation Of the lawful money
/ OF the United States by private contract.
6. We demand that the Government. In
payment Of its obligations, shall use its
option rs TO the kind OF lawful money in
! which they are to be paid. and we denounce
i the present and preceding Administrations
for surrendering this option TO the holders Of
Government obligations.
2. We demand n graduated income tax. 10
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear tts
just proportion OF taxation, aud we regard
the recent decision Of the Supreme Court r.
To-. tu,, Far
probation OF the Constitution and An iu'
vasion Of the rightful powers OF Congress
| over the subject Of taxation.
s. We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the Government for the
safe deposit Of the savings Of the people and
10 facilitate exchange.
Transportation.
I. Transportation being n means OF eX.
change and public necessity, the Govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
In the interest OF the people and on non.
partisan basis. 10 the end that all may be ac-
corded the same treatment In transportation,
and that the tyranny and political power now
exers'sed by the great railroad corporations
q, paST"ndlt In The impairment, II not the
dSs,ruc,Idn, OF the political rights and per-
sonal liberties OF the citizen, may be de-
stroyed. Such ownership is 10 be accom-
plished gradually in n manner consiste Mt
.. The interest Of the United States In the
public highways built with public moneys.
and the proceeds OF extensive grants OF land
TO the Pacific railroads, should never be
aIienated, mortgaged. or sold, but guarded
and protected for the general welfare rs pro-
vided by the laws organizing such railroads.
The foreclosure of existing liens ofthe United
States ON these roads should Mt once follow
default In the payment thereof OF the debtor
companies and at the foreclosure sales OF
said roads the Government shall purchase
the same II 1t becomes necessary TO protect
its interests therein, or il they can be pur-
chased nj "A reasonable price; and the Gov
ernment shall operate said railroads rs pub
lie highways for the benefit OF the whole
people, aud not in the interest OF the few
under suitable provisions for protection o
life and property, giving TO all iransporta
tion interests equal privileges and equal
rates for fares and freights.
3. We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refundlng these debts, and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
he executed and administered according &
their interest aud spirit.
4. The telegraph, like the post offlce sys'
TEN, being necessity for the Transmission
OF news, should he owned und operated 10y
the Government in the interest OF the peo
pie.
Land.
J. True policy demands thnt the Natona
and State legislation shall be such as will
ultimately enable every prudent and indus
trious citizen 10 secure home. and there
J fore the land should not be monopolized fol
speculative purposes. All lands now held
by railroads and other corporations in ex
cess OF their actual needs should by Lawful
means be reclaimed by the Government and
held for actual settlers only, and private
land monopoly. as we'll rs alien ownership
should be prohibited.
La, fra,, ,lc h
which the Pacific railroad companies have
! through the connivance OF the Interior De
, partment, robbed multitudes of actual boni
flde settlers OF their homes and miners o.
their claims, and we demand legislation by
Congress which will enforce the exception o
mineral land from such grants after rs wei
as before the patent.
, 3. We demand that bona flde settlers oil
all public lands be granted free homes, a
! provided in the National Homestead law
I and that no exception be made in the case o
, Indian reservations when opened for settle
mpnt- and that all lands not now Dlteute,