The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-07-31
PEOPLES PARTY PLATFORM.
Declaration of Principles of the National
Pe"E.~'s Party Adopted ut the ~. Louis
Convention.
Following is the declaration OF prin-
ciplcs and platform presented To and
adopted by the Popnlist national con-
vention at St. Louis:


The Peoples party assembled in nationa
convention, rcaffirm its allegiance 60 the prin
cplc> declared by the founders OF the rcpub
lie, and also To the fundamental principles %
Just government as enunciated IN the platform
OF the party In is92 We recognize that through
the conniyancc OF the present and preceding
administrations, the country has reached
crisis IN H. national life, predicted In
our declaration four years ago, and thai
prompt ana patriotic action is the supreme
duty OF the hour. We realize thai
while we have present independence. oui
financial and industrial independence Il yet Il
be attained by restoring TO our country the
constitutional control and exercise OF the
functions necessary To peoples govern
ment, which functions have been baScly sur
rendered by our public servants 10 corporate
monopolieS. The influence 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 corrupt our legis-
latures and defeat the will OF the
people. and plutocrncy has thereby been
enthroned upon the ruins OF democracy. 10
restore the government intended by the fathers
and for the welfare and prosperity OF this and
future generations, we demand the establish
ment OF an economic and financial system
which shall make us masters OF our own az
fairs and Independent OF European control, by
the adoption 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, just, equitable and efficient means OF
! distribution direct TO the people and through
! the lawful disbursements OF the government.
We demand the froe and unrestricted
coinage OF silver and gold at the present legal
ratio OF 10 to 4 without waiting for the con-
sent of the foreign nations
3 We demand that the volume OF circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet the demands OF the business
ana population and to restore the just level OF
prices OF labor and production.
T. We denouncc the sale OF bonds and the in
crease OF the public interest bearing debt
made by the present administration as unnec-
essary and without authority of law. and de-
mand that no more bonds be issued except by
specific act OF congress.
5. We demand such legislation as will pre-
vent the demonetzaton Of the lawful money
81 the United states by private contract
q We demand that the government In pay
ment OF is obligations shall use its option rs
to the kind Of lawful money IN which they are
TO be paid. and we dcnounce the present and
preceding administrations for surrcndering
this option to the holders Of government obli-
cations.
= We demand graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear it's
lust proportion OF taxation, and we regard the
recent decision Of the supreme court relative
TO the income law as misinterpretation OF the
constitution and an invasion OF the rightful
powers OF congress over the subject OF taxa
lion.
: We demand that postal saving banks be
established by the government for tho safe
deposit OF the savings OF the people ana to
facilitate exchange
second Transportation.
l. Transportation being means OF exchange
and public necessity the government should \
own aud operate the railroads in the interest
nf the people and on a nom partisan basis: to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment In transportation. and that the
tyranny and present power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations which result In
he impairment,if not the destruction OF the
present ghts and personal liberties OF the
citizens may be destroyed: such ownership TO
DC accomplished gradually Ia q manner con-
sistent with sound public policy.
:. The interest OF the United states in the
public highways built wi n public moneys and
he proceeds OF extensive grants OF land to the
Pacific railroads. should never be alienated
nortgaged or sold. but guarded ana protected
or the general welfare provided by the laws
organizing such railroads. The foreclosure OF
Existing liens OF the United States on these
'oads should at follow default In
payment thereof by the debtor compa-
u said roads the government shall pur-
hase the same II it becomes necessary to pro-
Get us interests therein or X they can be pur-
hnsed at a reasonable price. and the govern
nent shall operate said railroads as public
highways FOR the benefit OF the whole people
ma not in the interest OF the few. under suita-
lie provisions for protection OF life and prop
rty, giving TO all transportation interests
qual privileges and equal rates for fares and
reights.
;. We denounce the present Infamous
chemcs for rcfunding these debts ana de-
nand that the laws now applicable thereto be
Executed and administered according 10 their
intent and spirit
The telegraph. like the railroads being n
necessity for the transmission OF news shculd
DC owned and operated by the government in
he interest OF the people.
rIird-Land.
/ True policy demands that the national and
tate Legislation such as will ultimately enable
very prudent ana Industrious citizen to secure
home. and therefore the land should not be
for speculative purposes. All
ands now held by railroads and other corpora
ions In excess OF their actual needs should be
~ lawful means, reclaimed by the govern
nent and held for actual settlers only, and
private land monopoly, as well as alien owner
hip. should be prohibited.
. We condemn the frauds by which the
and grant Pacific railroad companies have,
through the connivance OF the interior depart
nent. robbed multitudes OF actual bona hide
settlers OF their homes and miners OF their
claims. and we condemn legislation by con-
yress which will enforce the exception OF
mineral land both grants as well as before
patent.
3 We demand that bona nde settlers on all
public lands be granted free homes as provided
IN the national homestead law, and that no ex-
reption be made In the case OF Indian reserya-
lions when opened for settlement. and that all
lands not now patented come under this de-
mand
Four-Direct Legislation,
We favor a system OF direct legislation
through the Initiative and referendum under
proper constitutional safeguards.
Fivc--GcneraI Proportions.
]. We demand the election OF president vice.
president and United States senator's by a al
-ect vote OF the people
z We tender TO the patriotic people OF Cuba
'ur deepest sympathy In their heroic struggle
or present freedom and independence. and we
believe the time has come when the United
states the great republic OF the world should
ccognizc that Cuba is and OF right ought to be '
free and Independent state.
3 We favor home rule In the territories and