The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-06-09
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform q


Following is the Populist platform as
1.-The Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tional convention, reatirms its allegiance
to the principles declared by the founders
OF the Republic and also to the fundament-
AZ principles OF just government as enunci-
aHeu 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 crisis in its
National life as predicted in our declaration
tour years ago, and that prompt and patri-
Otto action 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 q
peoples government, which functions have
been Dasely surrendered by our public ser
wants to corporate monopolies. The infu-
more potent in shaping legislation than the
voice OF the merican 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 f.
nancial system which shall make us mas
ters OF our own affairs, and Independent of
european control by the adoption of the
following:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
l; we demand National money, safe
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 lust.
equitable and efficient means of distribution
may be made direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursement of the gov
eminent. e~'
2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage OF silver and gold at the present le-
consent OF foreign nations.
8. We demand the volume of circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet the demands of the bust
cess people OF this country and to restore
ne Just level OF prices Of labor and pro
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.
9; we demand such legal legislation az
viii prevent the demonstration of the law
ful money OF the United States BY private
b. We demand that the government in
payment Of its obligations shall use its on
tons a. to the kind of lawful money in
IN Hhic c they are to be paid and We denounoe
me inc P present and preceding administration
OF government obligations.
IL. 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 |
the constitution and an INVASION Of the
rightful powers of Congress over the sub
ject of taxation.
8. We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the government for the
SAFE deposit OF the savings of the people /
RAILR0ADs.
l.. transportation being . means of ex.
cnange and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railnoads
IN the interest Of the people on non-par-
usan 6as,s; 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 rsiIrnad
corporations, which results in the imns;r-
ment II not the destruction Of the political
nsh a "a and personal Liberties Of the citizens,
may Oe Sestloyed. such ownership is to be
slstent with sound policy.
me interest of the United States in the
pubic highways built with public monevr
and the proceeds of extensive erants of and
20 the Pacific railroad should never be alien-
ated. moFtgaged or sold, but guarded and
protected for the general welfare, a. nrov;d.
60 by the laws of Organizing such railnosds
The foreclosure of existing lines of the I'M.
sed states On these roads should at once fol
iow default in the payment thereof Of the
oece OF companies, and ct the foreclosure
purchase the same If it becomes necessav
70 protect its interest therein Or If thev can
% purchased at reasonable price. and Az
goye!nment shall operate said railroads ~
P aoic nlgnways for the benefit of the