The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-07-25
POPULIST PLATFORM.
Report Submitted by the Com
mittee on Resolutions.
DECLARATION FOR FREE COINAGE.

The Sale Of Bonds Is Denounced and an
Increase of Money Is Demanded-Other
PIanks Declare for Government owner
ship of Railroads, Direct Legislation and
the Election Of President and senators
by Direct Vote of the People.
ST LOUIS, July 25.-Following is tho
Populist platform as agreed upon by the
committee on resolutions, and adopted by
the convention.
The Peoples party assembled In national
convention reaffrms IT. allegiance TO the prin'
cipes declared by the founders OF the Repub'
lie and also 10 the fundamental principles ot
just government as enunciated in the platform
of the party in lsgs We recognize through the
connivance of the present and preceding ad-
ministrations the country has reached a crisis
in its national life as predicted IN our declara
ton four years ago. and that prompt and pat
riotic action is the supreme duty OF the hour.
We realize that while we have political inde
pendence our financial and industrial indie
pendence is vet 10 be attained by restoring
TO our country the constitutional control ana
exercise of the functions necessary 10 peo-
pies government, which functions have been
surrendered by our public servants TO corpor'
ate monopolies.
The influence of European money exchang-
ers has been more potent in shaping legisia
ton than thi voice of the American people
Executive power and patronage have been
used 10 corrupt our legislatures and defeat the
will of the people, and plutocracy has thereby
been enthroned upon the ruins of Democracy
| To restore the government intended by the
| fathers and for the welfare and prosperity
| Of this and further generations, we demand
| the establishment of an economic aud financial
| system which shall make us masters OF our
| own affairs and Independent of European con-
| tr.l by the adoption ot me following usclar"
tion of principles:
| Demand for Free Coinage.
| We demand national m ney safe ana
| sound issued by the general government only
| without the intervention of banks OF issue Il
| be a full LEGAL tenfer for all debts, public and
| private: Just, equitable and efficient meah'
| of distribution direct to the people an'
through the lawful disbursements OF the gov
| ernment.
| We demand the free and unrestricted com
| age of silver and gol at the present lega
ratio OF % To |. without waiting for the cohseh
of foreign ma ions.
| We demand the volume of circulating me
dium be spe .diy increased to an amount SUI
fcient to meet the demands OF the busines
| and uonulation of this country and 10 restJr'
| the lust level of rces of labor and produe
| ton.
The sale of bonds and the increase O
the interest brnring debt is denounced AM
n demand is made that the governmen
shall use its option as To the kind of law
full money in which obligations are PAID
A graduated income tax Is demandec
and also the establ shment of government
: postal savings banks On transportation
the platform says;
TRANSPORTATION being q MONS of exchane
and public necessity, the government shoui
, | own and operatc the railroads in the lntere'
, | of the people and ON nOn-partisan basis TO tt
end that all may be accOr led the same urea
ment in transportation and that the tyrahh
: and political power now exercised by the grea
/. rail Dad corpo ations, which result IN the IN
pairment il not the destruction OF the loiil
cal rights ami personal liberties OF the cit
q zens NAV be des royed Such ownershi Is
q he accompl shed gradually in manner COZ
sistent with sound public policy.
public Highways.
The interest of the United States In q
n nublic highways built with public moneys al
J. the proceeds of extensive grants of land 10 u
' | Pacific railroads, should never be alenate
!. | mortgaged or sold, but guarded and protect'
. for the general welfare as provided by the Law
. organizing such railroads. The foreclosure
y axisting liens of the Unitsd States on the
roads should at once follow default III u
% payment tn rcof of the debt OF companies III
~ AT the foreclosure sales of said ROADS the go
: ernment shall purchase the same II II becom
=. necessary TO protect its interests therein,
II they can be purchased at reasonat
price: and the government shall opera
aid railroads as public highways for the ben
| fit of the whole people and not IN the lhtere
of the few under suitable provisions Tor pr
ID lection of life and property, giving to all trsI
10 | portation interests equal privileges anu CIV
n | rates r fares and freight.
We denounce the present infamous schem
Z. for refundin the e debts and demand that
a laws now pplicable thereto he executed a
administered a cording to their true in'e
ie and spirit.
%. The telegraph. like the postoi,ice system
M | ING a necessity for the transmission OF neN
should be yned aud operated 10y the Cover
ment in the interest of the people
The platform declares that the Ian
held by railroads in excess of actual nee
should be reclaimed; demands that
no bona fide settlers on public lands
ne granted free homes as provided In I
ny homestead law. It continues
IN Direct Legislation.
ne We favor n system OF direct legislat
TO through the initiative and referendum UNI
N nropcr con, titutiOnal ~ eguards
re we demand the election OF president
rresident and United States senators by a
rect vote of the people.
We tender TO the patriotic people Oh ~
IT our deepest sympathy in their heroic sur
49,, Gle for political freedom ana indepehuen
u and we believe the time has come when
RS United States, the great republic OF the wol
NO should recognize that Cuha Is, ana OF n
es. ought To bc. free and independent state
m. Early admission of the territories
nv states is favored; public salaries sho'
, !; correspond tn the price of labor and pr
nets: employment of idle labor on pul
works; arbitrary course OF courts In
to prisoninr citizens for indirect conter
,v should be prevented by proper legislati
inst pcns'ons for disabled Union sold
~ i favored. full, free and fair hallo
A.. elections Is demanded The platte
tho concludes as follows:
-, While the foregoing propositions constr
y" the platform upon which or party stands,
sor the viudidation Of which its organiza
will he maintained. recognize that
great and pr, ssing issue Of the y nding {
i'll. naiqn upon which the present preside
,ne | election will turn. Is the financial question
- | upon this great and specific issue between
e'V nartics we cordially invite the a'd and
ap- one alton Of all organizations and citi
has agreeing with us upon this vital question
au -
at Decided to join the strike.
NEW YORK, July %. - The trou
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