The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-05-26
The Peoples Party National Piatfor N.

Tn0 foOple0 TAfCv' NoC1OnA1 PLATFORM
Following is the Populist platform as
s'fhe Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
to the principles declared by the founders
ol the Republic 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-
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 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
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 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
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 le-
gal ratio of l6 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
res 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 az
unnecessary and without authority of Law
and that no more bonds be issued except
by specific act of Congress.
3: We demand such legal legislation ii
will prevent the demonstration of the law
full money of the United States by priyat<
q. We demand that the government in
payment of its obligations shall use its CD
tons a to the kind of lawful money II
l
the present and preceding administration
for surrendering this option to the holder.
of government obligations.
Z. We demand graduated income tax Il
the end that aggregated wealth shall beal
its just proportion Of taxation and We de
nounce the Supreme court, relative to tn,
income tax law, as misinterpretati0n o.
the constitution and an invasion of tn,
rightful powers of Congress over the sub
ject Of taxation.
8. We demand that postal sayings bank
be established by the government for tn,
and to facilitate exchange.
q RAILROADS.
/. Transportation bding q means of ex
change and . public necessity, the govern
Il 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 &C
corded the same treatment in transpOrta
ton, and that the tyranny and politica
power now exercised by the great railroas
corporations, which results in the impair
ment II not the destruction of the politica
rights and personal liberties of the citizens
j may be destroyed. Such Ownership is to b
accomplished gradually in . manner con
sistent with sound policy.
The interest Of the United States in tn
public highways built with public monevs
. and the pn0ce6ds OF extensive grants of Ian,
to the Pacific railroad should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, bat guarded an,
protected for the geneIal welfare, as provid
. 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 tn
} debt Of companies, and at the foreclosun
| saleg OF said roads the government shal
purchase the same II il becomes neceenry
% protect its interest therein or II they ca
& b purchased at reasonable price: md ~
goyernment shall operate said railroads .