The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-06-02

TIccIIldu hIlOWleS, ClldTleS IL. MiE-
tin, w. l.. Stark, and r. ID. Suther-
land.
Fhe Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted;
to the principles declared by the founders
of 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-
tons, the country has reached crisis in it's
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
pendeDce is yet to be attained by restoring
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 inf1u-
! 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.
nancial system which shall make us mas
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
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 16 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-
5. We demand such legal legislation az
| will prevent the demonstration of the law
| full money of the United States by private
b. We demand that the government in
! payment of its obligations shall use its op-
| tons as 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 a 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 a -misinterpretation of
| the constitution and an invasion of the
| rightful powers of Congress over the sub
| ject 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 a means of ex-
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroads
| in the interest of the people on a non-par-
| tisan basis; to the end that all may be ac-
corded the same treatment in transporta
ton, and that the tyranny and political
power now exercised by the great railroad
corporations, which results in the impair.
ment If not the destruction of the political
rights and personal liberties of the citizens
may be destroyed: Such ownership is to be
accomplished gradually in q manner con-
sistent with sound policy.
2. The interest of the United States in the
public highways built with public MONEYS.
and the proceeds of extensive grants of land
| to the Pacific railroad should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and
protected 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 neces, arv
to protect its interest therein or if thew can
be purchased at 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 the
few, under suitable provisions for protec-
ton OF life and property; giving to ali trans
portatlon interests and privileges and equal
rates Tor fares and freight.
SWe denounce the present. Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts md de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
be executed and administered according tn
their true intent and spirit. -
4. The telegraph, like the postofice svs-
tenn, beng necessity for the fermentation
OF news should be owned and operate1l nv
the government in the interest of people.
LAND.
l. The true policy demands that the m.
tiOual and State 1eoialafiou ehelI ~. 800 -