The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-08-01
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.
Intentions Of The Peoples Party In
The Way of Legis-
Iation.
SANE AS WAS THE oIAHA IDEA.

SANE AS WAS THE 0IAHA IDEA.
Asking That The Government Do
Largely The Work of The
People.
+ The Peoples Party. assembled in ma
+ional convention, reaffirms its allo-
founders of the republic and also to the
Glance to the principles declared by the
fundamental principles of just govern
ment as enunciated in the platform Of
the party in 1892 We recognize that
through the connivance of the present
and preceding administrations, tie coun-
try has reached a crisis in it's 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 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-
tions necessary to a peoples govern
ment which functions have been basely
surrendered by our public servants to
corporate monopolies. The influence of
European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than
even the American people. Executive
power and patronage have been used to
corrupt our legislatures and defeat the
will of the people and plutocracy has
therby been enthroned on the ruins of
Democracy. To restore the government
intended by the fathers and for the well
fare and prosperity Of this and future
generations, we demand the establish
ment of an economical financial system
which shall make us masters Of our own
affairs and Independent of European
control by the adoption Of the follow
ing declaration of principles:
First We demand a national money
safe and sound, issued by tie general gov
eminent only, without the intervention
of banks of issue, to be a full legal ten
der for all debts, public and private, and
Il just and. equable and Efficient means of
disbursements of the government.
Second. We demand the free and UNI
restricted coinage of silver and gold at
the present legal ratio of 16 to l, without
waiting for the consent of foreign ma
tons.
Third. We demand that the volume of
the circulating medium be speedily in
creased to an amount sufficient to meet
the demands of the business and popula-
ton of our country and restore the just
level Of price of labor and production.
Fourth. We denounce the sale of
terest bearing debt made by the present
,se4no md
out authority of law, and that no more
bonds be issued except by specific act of
congress.
Fifth. We demand such legislations
as viii prevent the decentralization Of the
lawful money of the United States by
private contract
IN payment of it's obligations shall use it's
option as to the kind of lawful money in
which they are to be paid, and we denounce
the present and preceding administrations
for surrendering this option to the holders
OF government obligations.
Seventh. We demand graduated in
come tax to the end that aggregated
wealth shall bear it's just proportion of
taxation, and we regard the recent decision
of the supreme court relative to the income
tax law misinterpretation Of the consti-
tuition and invasion of the rightful powers
of congress over the subject Of taxation.
Eighth. We demand that postal savings
banks be established by the government for
safe deposit OF the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
Transportation being a means of ex-
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
in the interest of the people and on a nom
partisan basis, to the end that all may be
accorded the same treatment in transporta-
ton and that the chicanery and political
power now exercised by the great railway
corporations, which result in impairment If
not destruction of the political rights and
personal liberties Of the citizen, may be de-
stroyed. Such ownership is to be accom-
plished gradually in manner consistent
with sound public policy.
2--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 alienated mortgaged or
sold, but guarded and protected for 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 the payment Of the debt OF the COM
panies and at the foreclosure sales of said
roads the government shall purchase the
same if it becomes q necessity to protect
its interests therein Of ii they can be pur-
chased at reasonable price; and the gov
eminent shall operate said railroads as
public highways for the benefit Of the
whole people and not in the interest OF the
few, under suitable provisions for the pro
lection of life and property, giving to- all
transportation interests equal privileges
and equal rates for fares and freight.
3-We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunding these debts and de-
nand that the laws now applicable there be
executed and administered according to
their true intent and spirit.
4--the Telegraph like the postoflice sys-
TEN, being a necessity for the Transmission
of news, should be owned and operated BY
the government in the interest OF the
people.
1.-The true policy demands that the
nationala and state legislation shall be such
as will ultimately enable every prudent and
industrious citizen to secure a home. and
therefore the land should not be monepo~
lized for speculative purposes AL lands
now held by railroads and other corpora
tons in course of their actual needs should
by lawful means be reclaimed by the gov
ernnent and held for actual settlers, and
mineral lands from such grants as alien
ownership, should be prohibited.
0--Wo damn tha fro,1dr W which til q