The San Francisco call., 1896-05-14
THIS Is THE PLATFORM
1t Favors Free Silver, Equal Suffrage
and a Tariff Commission and
Opposes Funding.


SACRAMENTO. CAL, May 13.-Follow-
ing is the platform as adopted in its en-
tirety by the Populists:
We demand the enfranchsement of women
upon the same terms now enjoyed by men, and
TO that end pledge our votes and most earnest
efforts to procure the adoption by the people
OF this State at the next general election OF the
eleventh amendment to the constitution.
The Peoples party of the State OF California
reaffirm the principle of the Omaha platform
and demand direct legislation by the initiative
and referendum and proportional representa-
ton.
We denounce the policy of the Democratic
ana Republican parties in maintaining the
gold standard and in issuing bonds 10 pur-
chase gold 10 pay National Obligations which
are, on heir face and by law, payable in
either gold or silver coin. And we condemn
the hypocrisy OF the Republican party for de-
nouneing Grover Cleveland for so issuing
bonds while 1t has, by its representatives in
Congress upheld that policy and has refused
to vote 70 bills presented by Populist Sen ators
TO restrain the issue OF such bonds without the
consent Of Congress.
We renew and emphasize our demand for the
tree and unlimited coinage of silver as well as
gold at the ratio OF 10 to l, as q full legal
tender and without reference to any other
nation.
We request our delegates to the National
Convention TO present the following ior its
consideration: ave favor genuine protection
TO American labor by the restriction of the iml
4ulB VI lOIelRu lADOr ana Dy true AMER
lean system OF finance which will render
justice to labor and industry and restrain the
evils OF usury; and we demand the creation of
National non-partisan tariff tribunal of ex-
perts by Congress, which shall be subject 10
the control OF Congress- to the end that tariff
agitation may be taken out of politics, and to
the end that tariff schedules shall be so ad-
justed that the benefit derived therefrom shall
result to labor and not TO trusts and we de-
nounce the Democratic and Republican par
ties for refusing to properly restrict immigra-
uOn OF foreign labor when having
do in Congress-
We demand that whenever a monopoly be-
comes oppressive it shall be taken possession
OF by, and owned and operated in the interest
OF, the people, just remuneration being first
made for the property taken.
We oppose and denounce all bills to refund
or extend the payments of the Pacific railroad
oebts; and We oppose any settlement by which
these roads are TO remain in the hands of any
private person or corporation, unless these
debts are paid In full al maturity; and unless
SO paid we demand that the Government by
virtue OF terms of its mortgages, enter into
ana take possession OF these roads and operate
the same as National enterprises in the in
terest OF the people; and upon foreclosure, if
there is deficiency, that the Government
pursue every legal or equitable remedy to re-
cover any such deficiency from those respon-
sible therefor.
We view with apprehension the encroach-
ments OF the Federal judiciary upon the lib
ert1es OF the people, as evidenced by the de-
clslons IN the recent contempt in income tax
cases, and are therefore in favor of an amend
ment to the National constitution prohibiting e
those tribunals or any other courts from an
nuling any Congressional act without the con.
currence OF the people by referendum vote.
ResOLUed, That we condemn the dishonest
action OF such assessors in this State as are
habltually and corruptly Understanding the
values OF the property OF the banks, corpora
uons and wealthy classes of this common
wealth.
RESOLVED, That we pledge the Peoples party
to nominate.assessors who Will obey the law
observe their oaths and assess such proper ties
IN the manner required by the Institution.
We furthermore protest against the collection
ta OF taxes on personal property in this State by
forced levy and sale without process of court !;
and we pledge ourselves to the repeal of the
ln1quitous statute that permits it at the next
session OF the Legislature. Believing as we do
that the polltax is wrong and burden on
the masses, therefore, we pledge our Assembly
nominees, If elected, that they will work for
the repeal OF this obnoxious and unjust law.
We favor good roads. The Peoples party is
pre-emlnenuy the party OF public improve
ments, and were its financial demands in oper-
atlon all roads would be made good.
We favor the support of the free public school
system, and oppose public moneys being used
for sectariaIi schools
We condemn the legislation of Government
Wnlcn permits vast army of its citizens to
hopeiessly beg for employment, while public
highways and public works are parceled out
TO fevorite contractors. We demand that all
public work shall be carried on without the
intervention of contractors, under skilled su-
perlntendents, and that preference be given in
all such work to our own unemployed citizens
we favor homes as the true foundation of a
free and happy people, and we further favor an
amendment to the constitution exempting
from taxation all property OF each head of a
family in this State to the extent OF $500. And
We favor graduated tax upon land, whereby
the ratio OF tax shall increase as the value Of
land is greater in single hand, to the end that
great estates in land may be broken up and
that land monopoly may be destroyed.
we demand that salaries OF public officials,
which IN many instances remain as high as in
times OF prosperity, shall be reduced in the
proportion that the prices of products and
property have fallen, and that county offices
be consolidated wherever practicable. We
promise to conduct the government of this
State efhc1ently upon tax of fifty cents upon
the one hundred dollars, and we condemn both
Republican and Dem ocratic administrations
In this State for having broken their platform
pledges In this respect and for an extravaganza
whereby almost much money is levied to
carry on the affairs of this State is levied to
conduct the State g overnment of New York
Resotued, That we favor a union of reform
forces at st. Louis on July %, provided it can
be benefcially effected without the sacrifice oil
any of the principles of the Peoples party We
oppose any proceeding by. which the Peoples
party convention shall sit with join any
other convention or admit any but the dele
gates elected to the Peoples party National
Convention