The record-union., 1896-07-25
In Many Respects the Same as the
Democratic Platform.
Demands Free Coinage, Den0unces
the Issuance of Bonds Without
Consent of Congress-, Demands a
Graduated Income Tax, and FavOrS
Government Ownership of Rail-
roads and Telegraph.


the fun text of the Populist platform as
adopted to day:
The Peoples party, assembled in Ma
tional Convention, reaffirms its allegl-
ance to the principles declared by the
founders of the Republic and also to the
fundamental principles of just govern
nent as enunciated in the platform of
the party in 1892 We recognize that
through the connivance of the present
and preceding administrations the
country has reached crisis IN Its ma
tional life. as predicted in our declara-
ton four years ago, and that prompt
and patriotic action is the supreme duty
of the hour.
We realize that while we have po-
litical independence, our financial ana
industrial independence is yet to be at
tanned by restoring to our country the
constitutional control and exercise OF
functions necessary to peoples gov
ernment, which functions have been
basely surrendered by our public serv-
ants to corporate monopolies.
The influence of European money
changers has been more potent in shap-
ing legislation that the voice OF the
American people. Executive power ana
patronage have been used to 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 Dy
the fathers and for the welfare ana
prosperity of this and future genera
tions we demand the establishment OF
an economic financial system when
shall make us masters of our own al
fairs and independent of European con-
troll by the adoption of the following
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
First-We demand national money,
safe and sound, issued by the General
Government, equally, without the inter-
vention of banks of issue, TO be a full
legal tender for all debts, public and
private; just, equitable and efficient
means Of distribution direct to the peo-
pie and through the lawful disburse-
ments of the Government.
Second-We demand the free and un-
restricted coinage of silver and gold at
the present legal ratio OF 16 to l, with
out waiting for the consent of foreign
nations.
Third-We demand that the volume of
the circulating medium be speedily In
creased to an amount sufficient to meet
the demands of business and population
and to restore the just level of prices OF
labor and production.
Fourth-Ve denounce the sale of
bonds and the increase of the public
interest bearing debt made by the pres
ent administration as unnecessary and
without authority of law, and demand
that no more bonds be issued except by
specific action of Congress.
Fffth-We demand such legislation as
will prevent the decentralization of the
lawful money of the United States by
private contract.
Sixth-We demand that the Govern
ment, in payment of 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 holder of Government OBJ
legations.
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 de-
cision of the Supreme Court relative to
the income tax law as misinterpreta-
ton of the Constitution and an inva-
sion of the rightful powers Of Congress
over the subject of taxation
Eighth-We demand that postal saw
ings banks be established by the Gov
ernment for the safe deposit Of the saw
ings of the people and to facilitate ex-
change.
TRANSPORTATION
First-Transportation being a means
of exchange and a public necessity, the
Government should own and operate the
railroads to the interest of the people
and on a non-partisan basis, to the end
that an may be accorded the same
treatment in transportation, and that
tyranny and political power now exer-
cised by the great railway corpora
tions, which result in the impairment,
If not the destruction, of the political
rights and personal liberties of the citi-
zens, may be destroyed. Such owner
ship is to be accomplished gradually in
a manner consistent with sound public
policy.
Second-The interest of the United
States in the public highways, built
with public moneys and the proceeds
CT extensive grants of lands to the Pa
cific Railways, should never be alienat-
ed, 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 thereof by the debtor compa-
MES. and that at the foreclosure sales of
said roads the Government should pur-
chase the same, if it becomes necessary
to protect it's interests therein, or If they
can be purchased at a reasonable price,
and the Government 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 protection of life and
property, giving to all transportation
interests equal privileges and equal
rates for fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present infa-
nous schemes for refunding these debts,
and demand that the laws now applica-
BILE thereto be executed and admins
tered according to their intent and
spirit
Fourth-The telegraph, like the Post
office system, being necessity for the
transmission of news. should be owned
and operated by the Government in the
interest of the people.
LAND.
First-True policy demands that the
national and State legislation shall be
such as will intimately enable every
prudent and Industrious citizen to Sc
cure a home and therefore the land
should not be monopolized for specula-
tive purposes All lands now held by
ya ilraadc apd o4bar corpora tinpS in ay-