The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-09-17

that the next General Assembly fully |
investigate this transaction, and TO |
the end that the interests of the State |
may be fully protected as far as it can
be done, such legislative action shall
be taken as to counteract, as far As
possible, this unwise and secret trans
action.
REMOVAL OF CASES.
The removal Of cases from the State
courts to the Federal courts for trial
wherein the plaintiffs are poor per-
sons and defendants rich foreign cor
pOratiOns, on application of defend
ants, is growing evil in North Caro-
lima, and in its practical operation
frequently amounts to denial of JUS
tice to poor suiUors, and therefore
should be condemned. We demand,
therefore. that the next General As
sembly shall pass such general stat
ute on this subject as to take from
such corporations doing business in
this State the privilege of carrying on
business in North Carolina, and with
drawing the protection of the State
extended to their business, if they
persist in escaping the jurisdiction of
| our courts when claims are sought to
be enforced against them therein.
We advocate such legislation as will
| insure just listing and taxation of
| all evidences of debt, and make an
equitable adjustment of the burden Of
| taxation between the debtor and
! creditor.
REDUCTION OF Salaries.
In order to keep our public servants
in thorough touch and sympathy with
the oppressed masses, and to check to
some extent the scramble for office,
we demand reduction of salaries un-
til such time as through an increase
of the currency the price of property
and products will justify the present
rates.
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted:
| tiOnal convention, reatfirms 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
of the present and preceding administra-
tons, the country has reached crisis in its
National life as predicted in our declaration
four years ago, and that prompt and patri-
otto action is the supreme duty of the hour.
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 a
peoples government, which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public ser
ence of European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than the
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 ii.
nancial system which shall make US mas
tiers of our own affairs, and independent of
European control by the adoption of the
following:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
l. We demand National meney, safe
and sound issued by the general govern
ment only without the Intervention OF
banks of issue, to be full legal tender fol
all debts, public and private, so that Just
: equitable and efficient means of distribution
may be made direct to the people anC
through the lawful disbursement of the gov
eminent.
2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver and gold at the present lie
gal ratio of IL to l without waiting for thu
consent of foreign nations.
}. We demand the volume of circulatins
medium be speedily increased to an amour
sufficient to meet the demands of the bust
ness people of this country and to restor,
the just level of prices of labor and pro
duction.
4. We denounce the sale of bonds and thu
increase of the public erest-bearing bono
debt made by the present administration a.
5 of 10
and that no more bonds be issued excep
!, by specific act of Congress.
} 5. We demand such legal legislation a.
will prevent the decentralization of the law
, full money of the United States by priYat.
= contract.
: g. We demand that the government il
payment Of its obligations shall use its Cd
tons as to the kind of lawful money il
which they are to be paid and we denounc,
the present and preceding administration
! fer surrendering this option to the holder,
l of government obligations
4 Z. We demand a graduated income tax Il
5 the end that aggregated wealth shall bea
T Its Just proportion Of taxation and we de
nounce the Supreme court, relative to thu
income tax law, as misinterpretation Of
the constitution and an invasion of tn,
rightful powers of Congress over the sub
ject of taxation.
8. We demand that postal sayings bank
e be established by the government for tn,
! safe deposit of the savings of the peopl,
, and to facilitate exchange.
t RAILROADS.
r l. Transportation being a means of ex
change and public necessity, the govern
r ment should own and operate the railroad
J, tisan basis; to the end that all may be &C
; corded the same treatment in transporta
ton, and that the tyranny and po1itica
e power now exercised by the great railroad
5 corporations, which results in the impair
b ment if not the destruction of the poIitica
b rights and personal liberties of the citizens
y may be destroyed: Such ownership is to b,
accomplished gradually in a manner con
= sistent with sound policy.
2. The interest of the United States in tn,
: public highways built with public moneys
s and the proceeds of extensive grants of Lane
e to the Pacific railroad should never be alien
= ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded ant
. 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 at once fol
low default in the payment thereof of tn
= debt of companies, and at the foreclosur
: sales of said roads the government shat
purchase the same If it becomes necessar,
j. to protect its interest therein or if they cal
: be purchased at reasonable price; and tn
u public highways for the benefit of til
whole people and not in the interest of tn
few, under suitable provisions for protee
ton of life and property; giving to ali trans
portation interests and privileges and eoua
s, rates for fares and freight
e 8. We denounce the present infamou
schemes for refunding these debts and dc
mand that the laws now applicable theret
De executed and administered according {
b tGeir true intent and spirit.
n 4. The telegraph. like the postoffice sy.
e tenn, beng necessity for the rransmissio
g OF news should be owned and operated b
n the government in the interest of people.
m LAND.
g l. The true policy demands that the na
= tfonal and State legislation shall be such .
J. WI Ultimately enable every prudent an
, industrious citizen to secure a home. an
u therefore the land should not be monop<
le lied for speculative purposes.
y IAN lands now held by railroads an
Te other corporations in excess of their actus
,e needs should by lawful means be reclaim
~ ed by the government and held for acfI,s