The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-06-23

E. R. Ridgely, James Gum,
John E. Fowler, C. H. Castle, N. B.
NJ. S. Peters, J. E.
Kelley, G. A. Barlow, A. G. Shuford,
w. d. Vincent, Samuel Maxwell,
Freeman Knowles, Charles H. Mar
tin, w. L. Stark, and r. D. Suther-
land.
Tho Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform a.
adopted:
t IL nal convention, 5eaftirps its allsgianoe
OF the Republic and also to the fundame Mt
al principles of just government as enunci-
ated in the platform of the party in 1892.
We recognize that through the connivance
u the present and preceding administra-
tons, the country has reached a crisis in its
National life as predicted in our declaration
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 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.
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.
4sole oh U1
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
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
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
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 AZ
! unnecessary and without authority of law
and that no more bonds be issued except
by specific act Of CONGRESS.
5. We demand such legal legislation as
will prevent the characterization of the law.
| full money of the United States bv 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, as . misinterpretatiOn OF
the constitution and an invasion of the
rightful powers of Congress over the sub
1ect of taxation.
8. We demand that postal savings bank.
be established by the government for thu
safe deposit of the savings Of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
RAILRoADe.
l. Transportation being . means of ex
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroad,
in the interest Of the people on q non-par
tisan basis; to the end that all may be 40
corded the same treatment in transporta
ton, and that the tyranny and politica
power now exercised by the great railroai
corporations, which results in the impair
ment ii not the destruction Of the politica
rights and personal liberties of the citizena
may be destroyed. Such ownership Is to b
accomplished gradually in q manner cnn
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 lani
to the Pacific railroad should never be alien
ated. m0rtgaged or sold, but guarded M
protected for the general welfare, 81 nrovid
ed by the laws Of organizing such railroeda
The foreclosure of existing lines Of the Uni
ted States on these roads should at once fol
low default in the payment thereof of M
debt OF companies, and ct the Foreclosure
sales OF said roads the Rovernment ahaI
purchase the same II it becomes neceesaU
to protect its interest therein or IL thev ~
b purchased at q reasonable price and IN
government shall operate said railroads 4,
public highwayg for the benefit Of tn
whole people and not in the interest Of th1
few, under suitable provisions for protec
ton Of life and properly: giving to ali trans
p orsanfon INT. interests and privileges and equa
8. We denounce the present infamou,
schemes for refunding these debts and az
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
/ b executed and administered aCcor1ine r.
their true intent and spirit.
4. The telegraph. like the postof8ce ~.
tenn, beang . necessity for the transmissior
Of news should bo owned and ope1ated 81
the government in the interest Of people.
!. The trne policy demands that the M
i tOnnl and 9faf0 1ania1atior ahall ~ sv,.l. =.