Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-24
THE POPULIsT PLATFORM.
Work on the Planks of the Subcom-
mittees Last Night.


mittees Last Night.
The subcommittee of the popullst COM
mittee on resolutions were at work at mid
night at st. Louis on the platform to be
reported to the full committee today. 1t
lad at that time agreed upon a preamble
and financial and land planks and upon
sc me minor matters. So far as the plat
form was completed it was as follows:
Preamble. The peoples party assembled
in rational convention reaffirms its allie
glance to the principles declared by the
founders of the republic and also to the
fundamental principles of just government
as enunciated in the platform of the party
in 1892. but recognizes that by the action
of the present and preceding adninistra-
lions the country has reached crisis in
its national life, as predicted in our plat
form four years ago. and at present prompt
and patriotic action is TIE supreme duty of
the hour. We realize that. while we have
pontlcal independence, our financial and in
dustrial Independence Is yet to be attain
ed by restoring to the peoples government
the constitutional control and exercise of
the functions necessary to that end. which
functions have been basely surrendered by
our public servants to corporate monopo-
lies. The Influence Of European money
changers has been mora 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 plu-
tccracy has thereby been enthroned upon
the ruins of democracy. To restore the
government of the fathers and for the well
fare and prosperity of this and future gen.
eratons we demand the establishment Of a
financial system which shall make us
masters of our own affairs and Independent
of European control by 1he adoption of the
following declaration of principle:
Finance.
First. We demand a national currency
safe and sound, issued by the general gov
eminent only, full legal tender for all
debts, public and private. and without the
Use of banking corporations: an honest
equitable and efficient means of distribution
direct to the people and through the lawful
disbursements of the government.
Second. We demand the free and unre-
stricted coinage of silver and gold at the
present legal ratio of sixteen to one by the
United States without waiting for the con-
sent Of foreign nations.
Third. We demand that the volume Of
circulating medium be speedily increased
to an amount sufficient to meet the de-
mands Of the business Of the country and
to restore the just level Of prices of labor
perity and happiness for the people.
Fourth We denounce the sale of bonds
and the increase Of the public interest
bearing debt made by the public admins
uatioiI as uAAeCeSSdTy duu without author
ity of law, and we demand law absolutely
prohibiting the sale of bonds and increase
Of the public debt. except in accordance
with an act or acts Of Congress AUTHORIZE
ing the same.
Fifth. We demand such legislation as will
prevent the demonstration of the lawful
money of the United States by private con-
tract.
Sixth. 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 denounce
the present and prodigal administration for