The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-07-28

1uo c0oploD Fofty NSt1On1l ylAt1Orm.
+ Following Ia the Populist platform as
adogted: -,
tionai convention, reaffrms its allegiance
y the principles declared by the founders
Of the Republic and also to the fundament-
al principles Of just government as enunci-
'ted 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
Nationallifo a. predicted in our declaration
otic 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 basely surrendered by our public ser
wants to corporate monopolies. The influ-
encs of European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than the
voice of the merican people. Executive
power and patronage have been used to cor
lupt 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
DEc1ARAr1oN OF Principles.
I. 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 Just,
equitable and efficient means of distribution
may be made direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursement Of the gov
: 2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver and gold at the present le-
gal ratio of 16 to / without waiting for the
cOntent Of for@ign nations.
8. We demand the volume of circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
ness people OF this country and to restore
the just level Of prices of labor and pro-
- 4. We den0unce the sale of bonds and the
increase Of the public interest bearing bond
debt made by the present administration rs
Unnecessary and without authority of law
and that no more bonds be issued except
by specific act of CONGRESS.
s. We demand such legal legislation AZ
will prevent the decentralization of the law
full money Of the United States by private
6. We demand that the government in
payment Of its obligations shall use its op-
tons - to the kind of lawful money In
which taey are to be paid and we denounce
the present and preceding administration
for surrendering this option to the holders
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, Al . misinterpretation of
the constitution and an invasion of the
rightful powep of Congress over the sub
Jet of taxation. s
be established by the government for the
safe deposit Of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
RAILROAD6.
l. transportation being . means of az
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
in the interest Of the people on q non-par-
tisan basis; to the end that all may be &C
coldeds the same treatment in transporta-
power now exercised BY the great railroad
corporations which results in the impair
ment if not the destruction Of the political
rights and peF9onal liberties of the citizens
may be destroyed. Such ownership e to be
accomplished gradually in . manper con-
siseent With. sound policy: - .
public Highways built with public moneys:
and the proceeds of extensive grants of Ind
to the Pacific railroad should never be aIien-
ated. mortgaged or sold, bat guarded and
protected for the general welfare, as proyid-
ed by the laws of Organizing such rafiroads.
The foreclosure Of existing lines of the Uni
ted States on these roads should at once fol-
low default in the payment thereof of the
deht Of companies, and ct the forecloeure
sales OF said roads the government ahaII
purchase t891xme II Il becomes IIoceesarv
to protect its interest," therein or il they IN
b purchased q . reasonable price; and fhe
goyernment shall operate said railroads q
public highwayy for the benefit OF the
whole peoph md not In the interest Of the
few, under suitable provisions for protec.
ton Of life and property; giving to al trans-
portation interests and privileges md eonar
rates for fares and freight.
5. We den0unco the present Infamous
for refunding those debts and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
be executed and administefeil acenrdino 10
their true intent and spirit.
4. The telegraph, like tho postofiice sv..
tam, being necessity for the transmission
Of news should be owned and operated hv
the government in the interest Of people.
/. The true policy demands that the IA
d0nAl and State legielation shall be inch a