The San Francisco call., 1896-07-24
ON THE OMAHA PLAN.
Planks In the Platform to Be Re-
ported by the Committee on
Resolutions.

pOrLeQ~D Dy the committee on
Resolutions.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, July 23.-The commit
tee on resolutions appointed by the Popu-
list convention met at the Lindell Hotel
at IL 30 o'clock. General J. B. Weaver
was chosen chairman. A subcommittee
of tweuty-three was appointed to con-
struct platform and this committee was
divided into subcommittee. These COM
mittees were in session until late tonight
and at 8 o'clock tonight got together for
the purpose of putting their planks into a
harmonious whole.
The preamble will reaffirm the decIara-
tions Of the Omaha platform. The fnan-
cial plank, as reported to the full commit
tee and as it will be reported to the con-
vention tomorrow, is as follows:
First-We demand National currency safe
and sound, issued by the General Government
only, full legal tender for all debts, public
and private, aud receivable for all debts due
the Government and that without the use of
banking corporations; just equitable and eff
fcient means of distribution direct to the peo-
pie through the lawful disbursements of the
Government.
Second-We demand the free and unre-
stricted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio of 16 to L by the United States
and that without awaiting the consent of for
eign nations.
Third-We demand that the volume of the
circulating medium be speedily increased to
an amount sufficient TO meet the demands of
the business and population of this country
and to restore the level of prices, labor and
production and thereby re-establish the pros
perity and happiness ofthe people.
Fourth-We denounee the Democratic and
Republican policies that seek to enslave our
/ l.
| bonds to be sold on English and foreign mar
kets, and steadfastly adhere to an American
policy that will produce revenue sufficient to
main tain legitimate and economic expenses.
| 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 it
shall pay them, and we denounce the present
and preceding administrations for surrender
| ing this option to the holders of Government
| obligations.
seventh-We demand proper income tax
TO the end that aggregated wealth shall bear
| its just proportion of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal savings
banks be established by the Government for
the safe deposit of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
The direct legislation plank is as follows:
We hold that all governments derive their
| just powers from the consent of the governed
and in order that the consent of the governed
may be ascertained we favor direct legislation
under proper constitutional safeguards, so
that the citizens shall have the right of initi-
ating, framing and proposing laws, and of
/ compelling the submission thereof and of a IL
| important laws whether proposed by National.
State or local legislatures, to c direct vote of
the people for their approval or rejection.
The preamble was discussed for upward
of an hour. A number of propositions
were submitted and it required careful
generalship on the part of General Weaver
to weld this mass of raw material into a
prelude that was neither too long nor too
radical.
This preamble will reaffirm the adher-
ence of the convention to the principles
of the Peoples party, as enunciated at
Omaha July 4, 1892, will declare that the
two old parties have brought the country
to financial ruin, and calls attention to the
fact that four years ago the Populists pre-
dicted the complete surrender of the Gov
ernment to corporate powers, a condition
which is now apparent to all.
1t further states that while as a Nation
we claim to have political power, we must
regain our financial prestige before we
assume our place as free and independ-
ent Nation"
1t also declares that European money
changers have shaped legislation and been
more potent than the voice of the Amer
lean people; that executive power and
patronage have been used to corrupt
Legislatures and defeat the will of the
people; that plutocracy has thereby been
enthroned on the ruins of the democracy.
The preamble concludes with recon-.
mendation for the adoption of the plat
form submitted to the end that the Gov
ernment of the fathers may be restored
and the welfare o. the country and OF
prosperity may be secured.
Mr.. Coxey of Ohio will make minority
report requesting that his well-known
Notwithstanding bond scheme be in
corporated in the platform.
The plank relating to public lands pro-
hibits alien ownership; provides that the
unearned land grants of the Pacific and
other railways shall revert TO the Govern
ment to be held for bona-fide settlers
The subcommittee adopted resolution
providing for the election of United States
Senators by direct vote.
The only planks which the sub-commit-
tee agreed upon tonight were those re-
lating to finance, public lands, transporta-
tion and direct legislation. These were
the only subjects referred to the sub-com
mittee.
A National Party.
DENVER, Colo. July o3-About 1on