The Forrest City times., 1896-07-31
oeoPLE'S PARTY PLATFORM,

seamless Party Adopted ut tho 1T. Louis
Convention
Following is the declaration of prin-
c;nles and platform presented to and
.dopted by the Populist national oon.
veution at st. Louis:
The Platform.
IN. Peoples party, assembled In national
,oov.ntion reaffirm It's allegiance TO the prin-
s,nss declared by the founders OF the repub-
mc. and also to the fundamental principles of
dos. government as enuncated in the platform
=, ,hs party in 1893. We recognize that through
An, connlvanoe OF the present and preceding
administrations, the country has reached a
oyisIs in its national life, ~ predicted in
our declaration four years ago, and that
rrompt and patriotic action 10 the supreme
spty OF the hour. We realize that
ybils We have present Independence our
Ananoisl and Industrial independence IL yet to
hs attained by restoring TO our country tho
constitutional control and exercise OF the
functicns necessary TO Q peoples govern
mep,, which functions have been bascly sur-
rendered by our public servants to corporate
monopolies. The influence OF European money
ehauacrs has been moro potent In shaping
lsstslation than the voioe Of the American
peop,e Executive power and patronage
have been used TO corrupt our legis-
atures and defeat the will Of tho
people, and plutooraoy has thereby been
sn,hroned 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 establish
ment OF economic and financial system
which shall make US masters OF our own at
fairs and independent OF European control, by
the adoption OF the following:
Declaration of Principles.
4. We demand q national money, safe and
sound issued by the general government only.
without the Intervention OF banks of issue to
be full legal tender for all debts public and
private; a just, equitable and efficient means OF
distribution direct to the people and through
the lawful disbursements of the government.
. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage OF silver and gold at the present legal
ratio OF 10 to 1, without waiting for the oon-
sent OF the foreign nations.
g. We demand that the volume OF circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet the demands of the business
and population and to restore the just level of
prices OF labor and production.
l. We denounoe the sale OF bonds and the in
crease OF the public interest bearing debt
made by the present administration as unneo-
essary and without authority of law and de-
mand that no more bonds be issued except by
specific act OF congress.
B. We demand such legislation as will pre-
vent the characterization OF the lawful money
Of the United States by private contract.
We demand that the government, in paw
ment OF its 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 holders OF government obli-
cations.
T. We demand O graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear it's
Just proportion OF taxation, and we regard the
-.
to the income law misinterpretation OF the
constitution and an invasion OF the rightfuI
ton.
g. We demand that postal saving banks be
established by the government for the safe
deposit OF the savings OF the people and to
facilitate exchange
second-Transportati
J. transportation being a means OF exchange
and public necessity, the government should
own and operate the railroads in the interest
OF the people and on a nom partisan basis; to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment in transportation, and that the
tyranny and present power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations which result in
the impairment, II not the destruction OF the
present rights and personal liberties OF the
citizens may be destroyed such ownership to
DC accomplished gradually In a manner con-
slstent with sound public policy.
The interest of the United States in the
pubic highways built with public moneys and
the proceeds of extensive grants OF land to the
Pacific railroads, should never be alienated,
mortgaged or sold, but guarded and protected
Tor 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
payment thereof by the debtor oompa-
Mes and at the foreclosure sales
OF said roads the government shall pur-
chase the same il it becomes necessary to pro-
'ect It's interests therein or II they can be pur-
chased at reasonable price; and the govern
ment shall operate said railroads as public
highways Tor the benefit OF the whole people
ana not In the interest OF the few. under suita-
Die provisions for protection OF life and prop
erty' giving to all transportation interests
freights.
g. We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts. and do
niahd that the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according 70 their
intent and spirit.
The telegraph, like the railroads. being a
necessity for the transmission OF news, should
oe owned and operated by the government In
the interest of the people.
Third-Land.
l. True policy demands that the national and
state legislation su h as will ultimately enable
every prudent and industrious citizen to secure
nome and therefore the land should not be
mohopoIized for speculative purposes. All
.ahos now held by railroads and other corpora
.'ohs IN excess OF their actual needs should be.
W laWful means, reclaimed by the govern
neht and held for actual settlers only. and
private land monopoly, as well as alien owner
'nip' should be prohibited.
l. we condemn the frauds by which the
.ano grant Pacific railroad companies have,
through the connivanee of the interior depart
meht robbed multitudes OF actual bona lde
settlers OF their homes and miners OF their
s'@ins' and we condemn legislation by con-
eiess which will enforce the exception OF