The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-10-01

ton, which YVES SO universally con-
demned by the press of the State and
all classes Of our citizens, when it first
became known. We therefore demand
that the next General Assembly fully
investigate this transaction, and to
the end that the interests of the State
may be fully protected as far as it can
| be ,-one, such legislative action shall
ba taken as to counterfeit, as far as
| possible, this unwise and secret trans
action.
REMOVAL OF CASES.
The removal of cases from the State
courts to the Federal courts for trial
wherein the plaintiffs are poor per-
sons and defendants rich foreign cor
poratiOns, on application of defend
ants, is growing evil in North Caro-
lima, and in its practical operation
frequently amounts to denial of JUS
tice to poor suitOrs, and therefore
should be condemned. We demand,
therefore, that the next General As
sembly shall pass such a general stat
ute on this subject as to take from
such corporations doing business in
this State the privilege of carrying on
business in North Carolina, and with
drawing the protection of the State
extended to their business, if they
persist in escaping the jurisdiction of
our courts when claims are sought to
be enforced against them therein.
We advocate such legislation as will
insure just listing and taxation of
all evidences of debt, and make an
equitable adjustment of the burden of
taxation between the debtor and a
| creditor.
| REDUCTION OF Salaries.
In order to keep our public servants
in thorough touch and sympathy with
the oppressed masses, and to check to
some extent the scramble for office,
we demand reduction of salaries I'M
til such time as through an increase
of the currency the price of property
and products will justify the present
rates.
Tho Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted:
The Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tional convention, reaffirms it's allegiance
to the principles declared by the founders
OF the Republic and also to the fundament-
al principles of just government as enunci-
ated in the platform of the party in 1892.
We recognize that through the connivance
OF the present and preceding administra-
| tons, the country has reached a crisis in its
National life as predicted in our declaration
four years ago, and that prompt and patri-
otlc acton Is the supreme duty of the hour.
| We realize that while we have political indie
pendenee our financial and industrial indie
pendence is yet to be attained by restoring
to our country the constitutional control
and exercise of the functions necessary to a
people government, which functions have
| lrrn dow hrv
wants to corporate monopolies. The inf1u-
ence OF European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than the
voice OF the American people. Executive
power and patronage have been used to cor
rupt our legislatures to defeat the will of
the people and plutocracy has 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 IL
nanclal system which shall make us mas
tiers OF our own affairs, and independent of
European control by the adoption of the
following:
| DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
and sound issued by the general govern
ment only without the intervention of
| banks of ISSUE to be full legal tender for
all debts, public and private, SO that a lust,
equitable and efficient means of distribution
may be made direct to the people and
eminent.
z. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver and gold at the present le-
gal ratio of Is to l without waiting for the
consent of foreign nations.
8. we demand the volume of circulating
sufficient to meet the demands of the bust
ness people of this country and to restore
the just level of prices of labor and pro
ductiOn.
4. We denounce the sale of bonds and the
increase OF the public interest bearing bond
debt made by the present administration as
unnecessary and without authority of law
and that no more bonds be issued except
by specific act of Congress.
8: We demand such legal legislation as
will prevent the characterization of the law
full money of the United States by private
contract.
+. We demand that the government in
payment OF its obligations shall use its CD
tons as to the kind of lawful money in
which they are to be paid and we denounce
the present and preceding administration
fer surrendering this option to the holder
! OF government obligations
Z. We demand graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear
Its just proportion of taxation and we de-
nounce 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.
8. We demand that postal sayings banks
be established by the government for the
safe deposit of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange,
! RAILROADS.
l. Transportation being a means of ex-
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
in the interest of the people on nor-uar-
tisan basis; to the end that all may be &C
corded the same treatment in TRANSPORTS.
ton, and that the tyranny and political
power now exercised by the great railroad
corporations, which results in the Impair
rights and personal Liberties of the citizens
may be destroyed. Such ownership is tn he
accomplished gradually in a manner CON
sistent with sound policy
z The interest of the United States in the
public highways built with public moneys
to the Pacific railroad should never he alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and
i protected for the general welfare. as nrovi1-
ed by the laws of organizing such railroads
me foreclosure OF existing lines of the Uni
tea states on these roads should at once fol
low Default IN the payment thereof of the
debt of companies, and at the forecIosnre
sales of said roads the government shall
purchase the same if it becomes necessarv
to protect its interest therein or if they can
De purchased at reasonable price; and the
government shall operate said railroads "a
public highways for the benefit of the
whole people and not in the interest of the
few, under suitable provisions for protec.
ton OF life and property; giving to ali trans
portation interests and privileges and equal
rates for fares and freight
| 5. We denOunce the present Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
De executed and administered accArdino 70
their true intent and spirit. ~
4. The telegraph, hike the postoffice sys-
tenn, being necessity for the transmission
OF news should be owned and operatad bu
the government in the interest of people.
1. The true policy demands that the n.-
lonal and State legislation shall be such a.
Will ultimately enable every prudent and