The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-08-01
PEOPLES PARTY PLATFORM.
Declaration of Principles of the National
Peoples Party Adopted ut the st. Louis
Enprspfo1

Following is the declaration of prin-
ciples and platform presented to and
adopted by the Populist national con-
vention at st. Louis:
The Platform.
TIL Peoples party, assembled in national
convention, reafirm its allegiance to the prin-
ciples declared by the founders OF the repub-
lie, and also TO the fundamental principles OF
Just government as enuuciated In the platform
Of the party in 1892. We recognize that through
the connivance of the present and preceding
administrations, 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 supreme
duty OF the hour. We realize that
while we have present independence. our
financial and industrial independence is yet to
be attained by restoring to our country the
constitutional control and exercise OF the
functions necessary to a peoples govern
ment. which functions have been basely sur
rendered by our public servants to corporate
monopolies. The influence 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 corrupt our legis-
~latures and defeat the will Of the
people. and plutocracy has thereby been
enthrOncd 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 establish
nent OF an economic and financial system
which shall make US masters OF our own af-
fairs and Independent OF European control. by
the adoption of the following:
Declaration of Principles.
l.. We demand a national money. safe and
sound, issued by the general government only,
without the Intervention OF banks of issue, to
! he n full lpCol fandar for all dabtS DnhIiP and
private: a just, equitable and efficient means OF
distribution direct to the people and through
the lawful disbursements Of the government.
> We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage Of silver and gold at the present legal
ratio Of 10 to I, without waiting for the con-
sent of the foreign nations.
g. We demand that the volume OF circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet the demands of the business
and population and to restore the Just level Of
prices OF labor and production.
4. We denounce the sale of bonds and the in
crease OF the public interest-bearing debt
made by the present ADMINISTRATION as unnec-
essary and without authority of law. and de-
mand that no more bonds be issued except by
specific act of congress.
3. We demand such legislation as will pre-
vent the characterization OF the lawful money
Of the United States by private contract.
Il We demand that the government, in pay
ment of its obligations. shall use its option as
to the kind of lawful money in which they are
to be paid. and we denOunce the present and
preceding administrations for surrenderins
this option TO the holders Of government obli-
cations.
=. We demand a graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear its
Iust proportion OF taxation. and we regard the
recent decision OF the supreme court relative
to the income law as a misinterpretation of the
constitution and an invasion OF the rightful
powers Of congress over the subject OF taxa
lion.
s. 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.
Second-Transportation.
l. Transportation being 4 means OF exchange
and a public necessity. the government should
own and operate the railroads in the interest
Of the people and on 4 non-partiSan basis; to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment in transportation, and that the
tyranny and present power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations which result in
The impairment, if not the destruction OF the
present rights and personal liberties OF the
citizens may be destroyed: such ownership to
be accomplished gradually in a manner con-
sistent with sound public policy.
=. The interest of the United States in the
public highways built with public moneys and
the pTOCttuS VI tAltuSlht BEhuIS VI duu W LuC
Pacific railroads, should never be alienated.
mortgaged or sold, but guarded an1 protected
Tor the general welfare as provided by the laws
organizing such railroads. The foreclosure Of
existing liens of the United States on these
roads should at once follow default in
payment thereof by the debtor compa-
MES; and at the foreclosure sales
Of said roads the government shall pur-
chase the same if it becomes necessary to pro-
tect its interests therein or - they can be pur-
chased at Il reasonable price; and the govern
ment shall operate said railroads rs public
highways for the benefit OF the whole people
and not in the interest OF the few. under suita-
Die provisions for protection of lie and prop
erty, giving to all transportation interests
equal privileges and equal rates for fares and
.reiShts.
3. We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts, and de-
nand that the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according to their
intent and spirit.
/ The telegraph, like the railroads. being 4
necessity for the Of news, Should
be owned and operated by the government in
the interest of the people.
I~hird-Land.
/. True policy demands that the national and
state legislation Su h as will ultimately enable
every prudent and industrious citizen to secure
"A home, and therefore the land should not be
mCnOpOliZed for speculative purposes. All
lands now held by railroads and other corpora
lions in excess Of their actual needs should be,
b. lawful means, reclaimed by the govern
ment and held for actual settlers only. and
private land monopoly, as we'll as alien owner
ship, should be prohibited.
>. We condemn the frauds by which the
land grant Pacific railroad companies have,
through the connivance OF the interior depart
ment. robbed multitudeS OF actual bona Tide
settlers Of their homes and miners OF their
claims. and we condemn legislation By con-
gress which will enforce the exception of
mineral land. both grants as well Us before
patent.
& We demand that bona fde settlers on all
public lands be granted free homes, as provided
in the national homestead law, and that no ex-
ception be made In the case OF Indian reserva-
lions when opened for settlement. and that all
lands not now patented come under this de-
mand.
~Four-Direcr Legislation.
We favor a system Of direct legislation
through the initiative and referendum under
proper constitutional safeguards.
F~ive-General Propositions.
!. We demand the election OF president, vice.
president and United States senators by a d.
rect vote OF the people.
= We tender to the patriotic people OF Cuba
our deepest sympathy in their heroic struggle
for present freedom and independence. and We
believe the time has come when the United
states. the great republic Of the world. should
recognize that Cuba is and Of right ought to be
o free and independent state.
3 We favor home rule in the territories and