Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-07-30


This was move of the middle.of. the.
road men. Delegate McGrath, OF Hi
nois, promptly moved to lay the mi.
nority report on the table. Congress-
man Howard and Barney Gibbs, OF
Alabama, demanded to be heard on the
motion.
After heated debate vote was
taken which resulted in 7S5 to 615 in
favor of the minority report.
Gen. j. b. Weaver, chairman OF the
committee on resolutions, was then re.
coynized and he read the platform as
follows
The Platform.
The peoples party, assembled in national
convention, reaffirms It's allegiance to the
principles declared by the founders Of the re-
public, and also to the fundamental principles
of lust government, as enunciated In the plat
form Of the party in 1892 We recognize that
through the connivance OF the present and
preceding administrations the country has
reached crisis In Its national life as predicted
In our declaration four years ago. and that
prompt and patriotic action Is the supreme
duty OF the hour We realize that while we
have political independence, our financial
and Industrial independence is vet to
be attained by restoring to our
country the constitutional control and
exercise OF the functions necessary to peo-
ples government, which functions have been
basely surrendered by our public servants to
corporate monopolies The influence Of Euro
pean money changers has been more potent in
shaping legislation than the voice OF the
American people. Executive power and patron
age have been used to corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the will Of the people, and plutoc-
racy has thereby been enthronei upon the
ruins Of democracy 10 restore the govern
ment intended by the fathers, and for the well
fare OF this and future generations, we demand
the establishment Of an economic and financial
system, which shall make US masters OF our
own affairs and independent OF European con-
troll, by the adoption OF the following declara-
ton Of principles:
FINANCE
First-We demand national money, safe
and sound, issued by the general government
only, without the intervention Of banks OF is
sue. to be full legal tender for all debts, pub
lie and private-a Just, equitable and efficient
mt ans Of distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements Of the gov
eminent
second-We demand the free and unre-
strlctei coinage Of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio Of sixteen II one, without walt
ing for the consent Of foreign nations.
Third-We demand that the volume OF cir
culating medium be speedily increased to on
amount SUFFICIENT to meet the demands OF the
business and population Of this country ant
to restore the Just level OF prices Of labor ant
production.
Fourth-we denounce the sale OF bonds and
the increase OF the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration o.
unnecessary and without authority OF law, and
that no more bonds be issued except by spe'
cific act Of congress-
Fifth-We demand such legislation as will
prevent the decentralization Of the lawfu
money Of the United States by private con
tract /,
paymeut OF its obligations shall use its optior
as to the kind Of lawful money in which thel
are to be paid, and we dcnounce the presen
and preceding administrations for surrender
ing this option to the holders OF government
obligations.
seventh--we demand graduated incom,
tax to the end that aggregated wealth shal
bear its Just proportion OF taxation, and "
regard the recent decision OF the suprem
court relative to the income tax law as mis-
Interpretation Of the constitution and an In
yasion OF the rightful powers Of congress owe
the subject Of taxation.
Eiphth-we demand that postal saving
banks be established by the government 10
the safe deposit OF the savings Of the peopl
aud to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
First-Transportation being means OF es
change and necessity the government shoui
own and operate the railroads In the interes
Of the people and on non-partlsan basis
tho end that all NAV be accorded the sam