The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-08-04
Tho Peoples Party National Platform.
Following il the POpulist platform a.

The Peoples Party National Platform
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted !o4t ., ,,,.,
to the principles declared by the founders
of the Republic and also to the fundament-
al principles OF just government as enunci-
at.d 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
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
peoples government, which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public ser
wants to corporate mOnopolies. The influ-
ence of European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than the
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
tiers OF our own affairs, and independent of
European control by the adoption of the
following:
DECLARATION OF PR1NC1PLEs.
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 q 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 le-
gal ratio of is to without waiting for the
consent Of foreign nations.
| 3. 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
the 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 demonstration 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 Cd
| 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 beal
its just proportion of taxation and We de.
nounce the Supreme court, relative to the
| income tax law, a. q INSTRUMENTATION Of
the constitution and an invasion of the
rightful powers OF Congress over the sub.
1ect of taxation.
8. We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the government for The
safe deposit of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
| RAILRoADs.
l. Transportation being q means of ex.
change and public necessity, the govern.
ment should own and operate the railroads
n the interest Or the people on non-par
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
ment II not the destruction of the political
rights ana personal Liberties Of the citizens
may be destroyed. Such ownership is to b
accomplished gradually in . manner con
sistent with sound policy.
/ 2. The interest of the United States in tn.
public highways built with public moneys
and the proceeds of extensive grants Of land
20 tne racine railroad should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and
protected for the general welfare, q proyid
cd by the laws OF organizing such railroads
The foreclosure of existing lines of the JIni
ted States on these roads should 1t once fol
low default In the payment thereof Of thu
sales of said roads the goyernment shai
purchase the same II It becomee neceesar1
70 protect its interest therein or IL thev ~
, b purchased at reasonable price; and th1