Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-08-04
PEOPLES PARTY PLATFORM

The following is the platform
adopted by the peoples party at the
St. Louis conventions:
The peoples party, assembled IN ma
t.onal convention, reafiirms its allegiance
70 the principles declared by the founders
of the republic and also TO the funda-
mental principles OF just government as
enuncated in the platform of the party in
1892 We recognize that through the con-
nivance of the present and preceding ad-
ministrations. 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 SUI
preme duty of the hour. We realize that
while we have political independence, our
financial and industrial independence is
yet to be attained by restoring 10 our coun-
try the constitutional control and exercise
of functions necessary to a peoples gov
eminent which functions have been basely
surrendered by our public servants TO cor
porate monopohes. The influence of Euro
pean money changers has been more po-
tent in shaping legislation than the voice
OF the American people. Executive power
and patronage have been used TO corrupt
our legislators 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 future generations we demand
the establishment of an economic and
financial system which shall make us mas
ters of our own affairs and independent of
European control, by the adoption of the
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
First-We demand a national money,
safe and sound, issued by the general gov
eminent only, without the intervention of
banks of issue. 10 be a full legal tender for
debts, public and private; Just, equitable
and efficient means Of distribution direct
10 the people and through the lawful dis
bursements of the government.
Second-We demand the free and unre-
stricted coinage of silver and gold at the
present legal ratio of Is to !, without wait
ing for the consent of foreign nations.
Third-We demand that the volume of
circulating medium be speedily increased
TO an amount sufficient 20 meet the de-
mands of the business and population and
20 restore the just level Of prices OF labor
and production.
Fourth--We denounce the sale OF bonds
and the increase of the public interest
bearing debt made by the present admins
tration as unnecessary and without au-
thority of law, and demand that no more
bonds be issued except by specific act Of
Fifth-We demand such legislation as
will prevent the characterization OF the
lawful money Of the United States by PR
Sxth-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 de-
nounce the present and preceding admin
istration for surrendering this option TO
the holders Of government obligations
OeNSlth-N0 u STdCUdNSd
come tax 10 the END LA. -ssl 50 teo
wealth shall bear its just proportion OF
taxation and we regard the recent decision
| of the supreme court re.at.Ve 10 the income
| tax law as a misinterpretation OF the con-
| stitution and an invasion of the rtghtful
| powers of congress over the subject or
! taxation
Eighth--We demand that postal savings
| banks be established by the government
| for the safe deposit of the savings of the
| people and 10 facilitate exchange.
1 DFf, -