The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-12
THE PoPULIST PLATFORM.
II Fayors Free Coinage, an Income lax
and Government Railroads.

It Favors Free Coinage, an Income AaA
and Government Railroads.
ST.. LOUIS, NO.. July 25.-The Populi't
platform, as reported by the majority OF the
Committee on Resolutions and adoptea oy
the convention, is as follows: =.
The Peoples party, assembled in National
Convention, reafflrms its allegiance 10 tae
nrincinles declared BY the founders OF tne
Rsnublic. and also to the fundamental Prln-
cinles OF lust government as enumerated IN
the platform ofthe party in 1892. we recog-
nize that, through the connlVance Oh tne
present and preceding Administrations, the
country has reached Crisis In It's Na'lohal
life. az predicted in our declaration four
vears AGO. and that prompt and patriotic ac-
fion Ia the supreme duty OF the hour.
We realize that while we have political in
denendence, our financial and Industrial In.
dependence Is yet to be attained by restor-
ing to our country the Constitutional con-
troll and exercise OF the functions necessary
to q peoples Government, which functions
have been basely surrendered BY our public
servants to corporate monopolies. The In
fluence Of European money changers has
been more potent in shaping legislation than
the voice OF the American people. Execu-
tive 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 De-
mocracy. To restore the Government In
tended BY the fathers, and for the welfare
and prosperity of this and future genera
tions. we demand the establishment OF an
economic and financial system which shall
make us masters Of our own affairs and 1nde-
pendent OF European control, by the adop-
tion Of the following:
Declaration Of Principles.
/. We demand 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 disburse-
ments of the Government.
2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage Of silver and gold at the present
legal ratio Of sixteen TO one. without waiting
for the consent Of foreign Nations.
8. We demand the volume Of circulating
medium be steadily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet .he demands OF the bust
ness and population and to restore the just
level of prices of labor and production.
4. We denounce the sale Of bonds and the
increase Of the public interest-bearing debt
made by the present Administration as un-
Necessary and without authority OF law, and
demand that no more bonds be issued except
by specific act Of Congress.
s. We demand such legislation as will pre-
vent the demonetlzation OF the lawful money
Of the United States by private contract.
6. We demand that the Government. In
payment of Its 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 surrendering this option to the holders OF
Government obligations.
Z. We demand graduated income tax, TO
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear lis
Just proportion of taxation, and we regard
the recent decision Of the Supreme Court re-
lative to the Income Tax law as mtsinter-
probation of the Constitution and an In
vasion OF the rightful powers OF Congress
over the subject Of taxation.
8. We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the Government for the
to facilitate exchange.
Transportation.
I. Transportation being q means OF e1-
change and public necessity, the Govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
in the interest Of the people and on non
partisan basis, to the end that all may be ac-
corded the same treatment in transportation,
and that the tyranny and political power now
exercised by the great railroad corporations
which result In the impairment, II not the
destruction, OF the political rights and per-
sonal liberties Of the citizen, may be de-
stroyed. Such ownership Is to be accom-
pIished gradually in a manner consistent
,rtf Nd , 1th1jo yn1fou
2. The interest OF the United States In the
public highways built with public moneys,
and the proceeds Of extensive grants OF land
to the Pacific railroads, should never be
alienated, mortgsged, or sold, but guarded
and protected for the, general welfare as pro-
vided by the laws organizing such railroads.
The foreclosure Of existing liens Of the United
States on these roads should at once follow
default In the payment thereof OF the debtor
companies; and at the foreclosure sales OF
said roads the Government shall purchase
the same If it becomes necessary to protect
ITS interests therein, or if they can be pur-
chased at a reasonable price; and the Gov
ernment shall operate said railroads as pub.
lie highways for the benefit of the whole
people, and not In the interest OF the few,
under suitable provisions for protection OF
life and property. giving to all transporta.
tion interests equal privileges and equal
rates for fares and freights.
8. We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunding these debts and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
be executed and administered according to
their interest and spirit.
4. The telegraph, like the post efnce sys-
tenn, being q necessity for the transmission
the Government In the interest OF the peo-
pie.
1. True policy demands that thu Nationa!
and State leglslation shall be suoh as will
ultimately enable every prudent and indus
trious citizen to secure a. home; and there
fore the land should not be monopolized for
speculative purposes. All lands now held
by railroads and other corporations in ex.
cess OF their actual needs should by lawful
means be reclaimed by the Government and
held for actual settlers, only, and private
land monopoly. as we'll es alien ownership,
should beprohibited.
Q. We condemn the land grant frauds by
which the Pacific railroad companies have,
through the connivance OF the Interior De-
partment, robbed multitudes OF aGtual oona
fde settlers Of their homes and miners OF
their claims, and we demand legislation Dy
Congress which will enforce the execution OF
mineral land from suGh grants after as we'll
as before, the patent.
8. We, demand that. bona flds settlers on
all public lands be.ysanted free homes. as
provided in the National Homestead law,
and that no exception be madein the case OF
Indian reservations, when opened for settle
ment and that all lands not now patented
come: rnder this demand.
Direct Liquidation.
We favor system Of direct legislation
through the initiative and referendum, un-
der proper constitutional safeguards.
General Propositions.