The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-08-18
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform Al

The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted:
The Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tional convention, reatfirms its allegiance
of the Republic and also to the fundament-
al principles of just government as enunei-
ateu 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-
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 a
people government, which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public ser
wants to corporate monopolies. The infu-
ence 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-
rupt our legislatures to defeat the will of
the people and plutocracy has beea 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
nancial system which shall make us mas
European control by the adoption of the
following:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
l. We demand National money, safe
and sound issued by ti,e 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
eminent.
2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver and gold at the present ls-
gal ratio of Is to without waiting for the
consent of foreign nations.
s. We demand the volume of circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet the demands of the bust
ness people of this country and to restore
she 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.
8; We demand such legal legislation as
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 a. to the kind of lawful money in
| which they 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, as q INSTRUMENTATION of
| the constitution and an invasion of the
M
| 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.
in the interest of the people on a nen-par.
| tisan basis; to the end that all NAV be ac.
corded the same treatment in traEsporta.
ton, and that the tyranny and political
power now exercised by the great railroad
corporations, which results ia the impair.
ment if not the destruction of the political
| nights and personal Liberties of the citizens
may be destroyed. Such ownership is to be-
accomplished gradually in q manner con.
sistent with sound policy.
z. The interest of the United States in the
public highways built with public monevs
|
to the Pacific railroad should never be alien.
ated. mortgaged or sold, but guarded and
projected for the general welfare, as proyid
ed by the laws of organizing such railroads
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
debt of companies, and at the foreclosure
sales of said roads the government shall
purchase the same if it becomes necessary
to protect its interest therein or if thew car
be purchased at a reasonable price; and the
government shall operate said railroads as
public highways for the benefit of the
whole people and not in the interest of ths
few, under suitable provisions for protec
ton OF life and property; giving to ali trans
portatiOn interests and privileges and eoua
rates fox fares and freight.
3. we denounce the present infamou.
schemes for refunding these debts and de
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
be executed and administered according tr
their true intent and spirit.
4. The telegraph, like the postofice svs
ten, beng necessity for the transmission
of news should be owned and operated by
the government in the interest of people.
| LAND.
l. The true policy demands that the M
6oual and State leQialation ahall ho sTIcl =,