Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1896-08-18


ST.. LOUIS, July 25.-The majority re
port of the committee on resolutions
was adopted by the Populist convention
without division. Coxey Of Ohio reac
the minority report recommending the
issuance of non-interest bearing bonds
for the Improvement of the roads of the
country. but it was promptly laid on
the table, as was also the minority re-
port of Kearby of Texas. The platform
as adopted follows;
The Peoples party, assembled IN ma
tional convention, reaffirms its allegiance
to the principles declared by the founders
of the Republic and also to the funda
mental principles of just government as
enunciatcd in the platform of the party in
1899. We recognize that through the con
njvance of the present and preceding ad
ministrations the country has reached a
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 indie.
pendence is yet to be attained by
restoring to our country the constitutional
control and exercise of the functions nee
essary to a peoples government, which
functions have been basely surrendered
by our public servants to corporate mo-
nOpolies. The influence of European
money changers has been moro potent in
shaping legislation than the voice of the
American people. Executive power and
patronage have been used to corrupt our
legislatures and defeat the will of the PEG.
pie, and plutocraay has thereby been en-
throned 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 establishment of an economic and
financial system which shall make us
master Of our own affairs and indepen-
dent Of European control by the ADDITION
of the following declaration of principles:
The Money Question.
First. We demand a national money,
safe and sound, issued by the general gov.
eminent, which, without intervention
of banks of issue, shall be a full legal
tender for all debts, public and private; a
just, equitable and efficient means of dis
tribution direct to the people and through
the lawful disbursements of the govern
ment.
Second. We demand the free and un-
restricted coinage of silver and gold at the
present legal ratio of l6 to 1, without wait.
ing for the consent Of foreign nations
Third. We demand the volume of cir
culating medium be speedily increased to
an amount sufficient to meet the demands
of the business and population of this
country and to restore the just level Of
prices of labor and production.
Fourth. We denounce the sale of bonds
and the increase of the public interest
bearing debt made by the present admin.
1stration, as unnecessary and without
authority of law, and that no more bonds
be issued except by specific act of congress
Fifth. We demand such legislation as
will prevent demonetization of the lawful
money of the United States by private con.
tract.
Sixth. We demand that the govern
ment in payment of it's obligations shall
use it's option as to the naming of Lawful,
money in which they are to be paid, and
we denounce the present and preceding
administrations for surrendering this op.
ton to the holders of government obliga.
lions.
Seventh. We demand graduated in
come tax, to the end that aggregated
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 misinterpretation OF
the constitution and an invasion of the
rightful powers of congress over the sub
ject of taxation.
Eighth. We demand that postal say.
ings banks be established by the govern:
ment for the safe deposit of the savings OF
the people and to facilitate exchange
Transportation.
Transportation being a means of ex
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the rail
roads in the interest of the people and or
~non-partisan basis, to the end that all may
be accorded the same treatment in trans
portation, and that the tyranny and politi
cal power now exercised by the great rail
way corporations-whichr result in the i'm
pairment if not the destruction of the pc
litical rights and personal liberties Of tn
citizen-may be destroyed Such owner
ship is to be accomplished gradually in +
manner consistent with sound public pol
icy. re. r-+@.- -
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, mortgaged or sold, but
guarded and protected for the general vel
fare as provided by the laws organizing
such railroads. The foreclosure Of exist
ing liens of the United States on these
roads should at once follow default in thu
payment thereof Of the debt Of companies
and at the foreclosure sales Of said road!
the government. shall purchase the sam,
Z If it becomes necessary to protect It's inter
ests therein, or if they are purchased at {
reasonable price, and the governments shall
operate said railroads as public highway,
for the benefit Of the whole people, AMI
not IN the interest Of the few, under sucl
provisions for the prot ction OF life ant
property giving to all transpo ii
& terests equal priv leges and equal rates "a
fares and freight. 3zs.s:zss5
We denounce the present infamou
4 schemes for refunding these debts and de
ssmand that the laws nowapp licable theret
be executed and administer accordingt
their true Intent and spirit. ss
The telegraph Ike. the postof1iee system
being a necessity for The nsmissio nso
news, should be owned and operated b
the government ~ the i nterest Of "a
people.