The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-07-27

llJndl convention, TtdliliiH9 10
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 thdt
through the oonnivance of the present
and preceding administrations the couh-
try has reached a crisis in its natiohd
life. as predicted in our declaration
four years ago, and that prompt ana
patriotic action is the supreme duty
of the hour. We realize that while We
have political independence, our imam
Cial and Industrial independence Is yet
to be attained by restoring TO our coun-
try the constitutional control ana eNer-
else of the functions necessary 10 a
peoples government. which functions
have beea basely surrendered by our
public servants to corporate Inonopo-
lies. The influence of European money
changers has been more potent in snap
ing 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 people, and plutocracy has thereby
been enthroned upon the ruins OF de
mocracy. To restore the government
intended by the fathers and Tor the vel
fare and prosperity OF this and future
generations, We demand the establish
ment of an economic and financial sys-
TEN which shall make US masters OF
our own affairs and independent OF Eu-
ropean control by the adoption of the
following:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
We demand a national money. safe and
sound. issued by the general govern
ment only. without the Intervention or
banks of issue. to be a full legal tender
for all debts public and private. a just.
3f.tl.f n a
button direct TO the people and through
the lawful disbursements of the govern
ment.
?. We demand the free and unrestTict-
ed coinage OF silver and gold at the
present ratio of l6 to l, without waiting
for the consent of foreign nations
3. We dems nd the volume OF curculat-
ing medium be speedily increased 10 an
amount sufficient to meet the demands
Of the business and population, and 10
restore the just level of prices of labor
and production.
Ave denounce the sale of bonds and
the increase of the public interest-bear-
ing debt made by the present admin
istration as unnecessary and without
authority of law, and demand that no
more bonds lie issued, except by specif-
ic act of congress.
5.-We demand such legislation as VIII
prevent the decentralization of the law
ful money Of the United States by pri-
waite contract.
Eve 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 pc palo' anu We
denounce the present ana preceding ad-
ministrations Tor surrenderinS TINS OPP
ton TO the holders OF government
oblfeofiOue
I've demand graduated income 'aN
TO the end that aggregated wealth
shall beo,. its inst rroportf0n Of taxa
zion ana we regard the recent decision
Of tb. s1ure,ue cotrt relative TO the in
come tax law as a INSTRUMENTATION of
the constitution ana an invasion of the
.inbtfuI nowers of congress over the
subject Of taxation.
s-yyc demand that postal savings
banks be established by the government
for the safe deposit OF the savings of
the people and to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORT ALTON -Transp Orta-
ton being means Of exchange and p
public necessity. the government should
own and oncrate railroads in the interest
of the pcorle ana on a non-partlsau
lasis 10 the end fh.t all may be accord
"a the same treatment in transporta-
ton and the tyranny and political power
now exercised by che great railroad cor
poratious which result i'm the impair
mcnt. if not the destruction of the polit-
ical rights and personal liberties of the
citizen. may be destroyed Such own
eusbiD is to be accomplished gradually. i'm a
manner consistent with sound public
uoliev
Inc interest ~ tho Emitted States in
tho nublie birbNavs bunt with public
,norr,, ana tbo nroeeeds or exteusiye
Grants of land ~ tha Pacific railroads.
sbould never be alienated. nortgaeed
~ eoId lint guarded and protected for
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 the payment
thereof by the debtor companies: and
at the foreclosure sales of said roads
the Government shall purchase the
same If il becomes necessary TO pro-
tect its interests therein. or ~ they
car, no n,,rrrased m a reasonable price:
and tho government shall operate said
railroads as public highways for the
benoft az fhe whole u,opIe and not n
the interest Of the few. under suitable
provisions for protection of life and
property. giving to an transportation
interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and freights
We delounce The present Infamous
schemes for refuudinc these debts ana
demand that the law now applicable
thereto be executed and administered
according 10 their intent and spirit.
4 The telegraph Ike the postolHce
system. being a necessity for the trans