The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-08-06
POPULiST PLATE ORM.
Adopted by the National Conventio
Held at st. Louis.

Adopted by the National Convention
Held at st. Louis.
Following is the Populist platform,
as agreed upon by the committee on
resolutions and adopted by the ST. Louis
conventions:
The Peoples Party, assembled in ma
tional convention, reaffirms its allegi-
ance to the principles declared by the
founders of the republic, and also to
the fundamental principles of just gov.
eminent as enunciated in the platform
of the party in 1892. We recognize
that, through the connivanoe of the
present and preceding administrations,
the country has reached crisis in ite
national life, as predicted in our dec.
laration four years ago, and that
prompt and patriotic action is the su-
preme duty of the hour. We realize
that, while we have political independ-
ence, our financial and industrial in.
dependence is yet to be obtained by re.
storing to our country the constitution
al control and exercise of the functions
necessary to peoples government.
which functions have been basely sur
rendered by our public servants to cor
porate monopolies. The influence Of
European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than
the voice of the American people1
Executive power and patronage have
been used to corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the will of the people, and
plutocracy has thereby been enthroned
upon the ruins of democracy. To re-
store the government intended by the
fathers of the country, for the welfare
and prosperity Of this and future gen.
erations, we demand the establishment
of an economic and financial system
which shall make us masters of our
own affairs and independent Of Eu-
ropean control by the adoption of the
following declaration of principles:
Finance.
First-We demand q national money,
safe and sound, issued by the general
government only, without the interven-
ton 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.
Second-We demand the free and
unrestricted coinage Of silver and gold
at the present legal ratio Of Is to 1.
and without waiting for the consent OF
foreign nations.
Third-We demand that the vol.
ume of circulating medium be speedily
increased to an amount sufficient to
meet the demands of the business and
the population of this country, and to
restore the just level of prices and la.
Dor production.
Fourth-We denounce the sale OF
bonds and the increase of the public
interest. bearing debt, made by the
present administration, as unnecessary
and without authority Of law, and we
demand that no more bonds be issued
except by specific action Of congress.
Fifth-We demand such legislation
as will prevent the demonetizing of the
lawful money of the United States by
private contract.
Sixth-We demand that the govern.
ment. in payment Of it's 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
preceding administrations for surren.
dering this option to the holders OF
government obligation securities.
Seventh-We demand a graduated
income tax. to the end that aggregate
wealth shall bear its just proportion OF
taxation, and we regard the recent de.
cision of the supreme court. relative to
the income tax law, as misinterpreta.
ton of the constitution. an invasion OF
the rightful powers of congress on the
subject of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal saw.
ings banks be established by the gov.
eminent for the safe deposit Of the saw
ings Of the people and to facilitate ex.
change.