The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-08-11
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following IL the PnnnI;sf rlatforno q,


Following is the Populist platform as
''The Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tIonal convention, reafirms its allegiance
to tnt principles declared by the founders
OF the hepublic and also to the fundament-
al principles OF just government as enunci-
ated 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 fnancial 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 bassiy 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 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.
nanciaf system which shall make us mas
ters OF OUR own affairs, and independent of
fE9ropean control ~ the adoption of the
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
!; we demand z 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
eminent. oo'
2. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage OF silver and gold at the present le-
gal ratio OF 10 to without waiting for the
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 den0unce the sale of bonds and the
increase OF the public interest bearing bond
debt made by the present administration as
and without authority of law
by specific act of Congress.
5: We demand such legal legislation AZ
will prevent the demopsti z9tion of the Law
full money of the United States 81 private
b. We demand that the government in
payment OF its obligations shall use its op-
tons az to the kind of lawful money IN
which they are to be paid and we denounce
for surrendering this option to the holders
OF government obligations.
Z. we demand graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shall bear
l@ Just proportion of taxation and we de-
nounce the supreme court, relative to the
income tax law, as . misinterpretation of
the ecnstltution and an invasion of the
j jese q tans Gx St Congress over the sub
8. We demand that postal sayiu-s banks
be established by the government fnT The
safe deposit OF the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange:
RAILROADS..
l. Transportation being q means Of az.
change and public necessity, the govern
m =, .h SHOULD own and operate the railroads
tisan basis; to the end that all may be &C
corded the same treatment in trananorts.
ton. and that the tyranny and po1;tical
power now exercised by the great railroad
corporations, which results in the imnair.
ment II not the destruction of the political
Qgnts ana personal Liberties of the citizens,
may be destroyed. Such ownership is to he
accomplished gradually in . manner con.
siatent with sound policy, va
&. The interest of the United States in tho
public highways built with public moneys.
sn0 tQe prQceedo " extensive grants of Land
% the Pacific railroad should lever be alien
sted, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and
protected for the general welfare. as nrovid-
ID by the Laws OF organizing such railroads
me foreclosure OF existing lines of the I'M.
ed States on these roads should at once fol.
ow default in the payment thereof Of The
1ebt OF companies, and at the foreclosnre
'alee ON said roads the government shalI
the same if it becomes necessarv
% protect its interest therein or if thew car
Do purchased ct q reasonable price: and The
goEerpment shall operate said railroads ss
public hlghvaYs for the benefit of the
yhole people aud not IN the Interest IF the
ew. under suitable provisio1s for F. p - t
ION ot life and properly; giving to aft trans-
,Qrfation interests and privileges and eonsI
ates tQr fares and freight.
:. we deno4nce the present infamous
chemee for pef4nding these debts and de.
nand that the laws now applicabIe therefo
y executed and administered Recording to
hair true intent and spirit.
I. The telegraph. like the postoff1ce svs-
em, being necessity for the tran.missinn
= news should be owned and operated hv
ne government in the interest of peonle
LAND.
l. The true policy demands that the M
lonA and State legislation shall be such - |