Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-04
PoPULTsT PLATFORM,
Adopfed at St. Louis July 81,
1896.

tional convention, reaffirms its allegi-
ance 10 the principles declared by the
founders Of the republic, and also to the
Fundamental principles OF Just govern
mont as enuncated In the platform of
the party In 1892.
We recognize that through the CONN.,
vance of the present and preceding adj
ministrations the country has reached a
crisis In its national life, as predicted IN
our declaration four years ago, and that
prompt and patriotic action is the su-
preme duty OF the hour.
We realize that, while we have political
Independence our financial and Indus
trial independence Is yet to be attained
by restoring TO our country the consti-
tutional control and exercise OF the func-
tons necessary 10 the peoples govern
ment. which functions have been basely
surrendered by our public servants to
corporate monopolies. The influence or
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
corrupt our legislatures, and defeat the
will of the people, and plutocracy has
thereby been enthroned upon the ruins
~ Democracy. To restore the govern
nert intended by the fathers and for the
welfare and prosperity of this ana future
generations, we demand the establishment
OF an economic and hnancial system
which shall make us masters Of our own
afairs and independent Of European con-
troll bv the adoption Of the following de-
claration of principles
THE MONEY PLANK.
/ We demand a national money, safe
and sound. issued by the General Gov
eminent only, without the Intervention
of hanks of issue, 10 be full legai
tender for all debts. public and private;
a inst equitable. and efficient means OF
distribution. direct to the people, ana
through the lawful disbursements OF the
government.
3 We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage OF silver and gold, at the present
legal ratio OF 16 TO 1, without waiting for
the consent OF foreign nations.
3. We demand that the volume or CIR
culating medium be speedily increased TO
an amount sufficient TO meet the demands
Of the business and population, and to re-
store the Just level of prices or labor anu
production.
4. We denounce the sale of bonds, and
the increase OF the public Understanding
debt made by the present administration
as unnecessary and without authority CT
law, and demand that no more bonds re
Issued except by specific act OF Congress.
s. We demand such legislation as will
prevent the demonstration OF the lawful
money of the United States by private
contract.
8. We demand that the government,
in payment OF its obligations, shall use
its option as to the kind of lawful money
in which they are TO be paid, and we de-
nounce the present and preceding adj
ministrations for surrendering this oruon
to the holders of government obligations.
Z. We demand a graduated income tax,
to the end that aggregated wealth shall
bear it's Just proportion OF taxation, and
we regard the recent decision OF the Su-
preme Court relative to the income-tax
law AS a misinterpretation OF the Constl-
tuition and an invasion Of the rightful
powers of Congress over the subject Or
taxation.
We demand that postal saving banks
be established by the government for the
safe deposit of the savings Of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
RAILROADS AND TELEGRAPHs.
1. Transportation being a means Of ex-
change and a public necessity, the gov
eminent should own and operate the
railroads in the interest OF the people
and on non-partisan basis, TO the end
ment In transportation, and that the
tyranny and political power now ex-
ercised by the great railroad corporations,
which resulted In this impairment. II not
! the destruction Of the political rights and
personal Liberties OF tho citizen, may be
destroyed. SucA ownership is to be ac-
complished gradually. In a manner con-
sistent with sound public policy.
q The interest OF the United States
in the public highways built with public
| moneys, and the proceeds OF grants Of
| land to the Pacific railroads, should
never be alienated, rnortgaged, or Sold
| but guarded and protected for the general
welfare, as provided by the laws organ
| izing such railroads. The foreclosure Of
existing liens OF the United States on
| these roads should at once follow default
| in the payment thereof by the debtor
| companies; and at the foreclosure sales
| OF said roads the government should pur-
chase the same. II 1t becomes necessary
10 protect its interests therein, or II they
| can be purchased at a reasonable price;
and the government should operate said
railroads as public highways for the bene-
| Mt of the whole people. and not In the
interest of the few, under suitable pro-
| visions for protection Of life and property,
| giving TO all transportation interests
equal privileges and equal rates for fares
| and freights.
| s. We denounce the present infamous
| schemes for refunding these debts, and
| demand that the laws now applicable
thereto be executed and administered ac-
cording to their intent and spirit.
| l. The telegraph. like the post-office
| system, being necessity for the trans
mission Of news, should be owned and
| operated by the government in the In
| terest OF the people.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
1. True policy demands that the ma
tional and State legislation shall be such
as will ultimately enable every prudent
and Industrious citizen TO secure q home:
and. therefore. the land should not be
nionopolzed for speculative purposes. All
lands now held by railroads and other
corporations In excess of their actual
needs should, by lawful means, be re-
claimed by the government and held for
actual settlers only, and private lind
monopoly, as well as allen ownership,
should be prohibited.
z we condemn the frauds. by which
the Immigrant Pacific railroad compa-
MES have, through the connivance OF the
Interior Department, robbed muititudss
az actual. bcna-nde settlers Of their
homes. and miners Of their. claims. and
we demand legislation BY Congress. which
In en<,r.e fha exemnfjon nj rninerai