The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-04-21
The Peoples Rasty Natsenal Rlss1efu.
Following ID the Populiss platform ~

me Peoples Pasty Natsenai Platform. I
Following ID the Popuiiss platform -
adopted:
tional convention, reAfirrns its allegiance
70 the principles declared by the founders
Of the Republic and also to the fundafnent
al principles Of jus; government al enunci-
ated in the platform OF the party in lss2.
We recognize that through the eonnivancs
Of the present and preceding administrs-
tons the country has reached a Crisis IN its
National life as predicted IN our declaration
four years ago. and that prompt and pstri-
otto action IL the supreme duty Of the hour.
We realize bat while We have political inde-
pendenee our financial and industrial! indie
penjencs IL yet TO be attained by restoring
TO our country the constitutional control
and exercise Of the functions necessary to
people government, which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public ser
wants 10 corporate monopolies. The inru-
ence of European money changers has been
more potent in shaping legislation than the
voice of the merican IeopIe. Executive
power lad patronage have been used 70 cor
rupt our legislatures TO defeat the Will OF
the people and plutocracy has beea en-
tbroned upon the ruins OF Democracy. 10
restore the government intended by the
fathers and for the welfare and prosperity
Of this and future generations, We demand
the establish ment Of an economic and IL
nanciaI system which shall make US mas
ters Of our own affairs, and independent Of
European control by the adoption of the
following:
DECLARATIONS or PRIscIPLEs.
/. We demand National meney, safe
and sound issued by the general govern
ment only without the Intervention OF
banks OF issue, to be a 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 10 to l without waiting for the
consent of foreign nations.
3. We demand the volume OF circu latlng
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-
L. 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 as
| will prevent the decentralization of the law
| full money of the United States by private
| 8. 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
for surrendering this option to the holders
| of government obligations.
I. We demand graduated income tax tC
the end that aggregated wealth shall bea1
| it's just proportion of taxation and we de
nounce the Supreme court, relative to thu
income tax law, as misinterpretation Of
| the constitution and an invasion OF ths
rightful powers of Congress over the sub
| ject of taxation.
8. We demand that postal sayings bank!
be established by the government for tn.
safe deposit of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
| RAILROADS.
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 a 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 railroad
corporations, which results in the impair
ment if not the destruction of the politica
rights and 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 Lane
to the Pacific railroad should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold but guarded ant
; protected for the general 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 fOreclOsur
| So 90 nf said tho ShoI
, purchase the same if it becomes necessar,
, to protect its interest therein or if they cal
be purchased at reasonable price; and tn
government shall operate salu railroads a
public highways for the benefit OF tn
whole people and not in the interest of tn
ton of life and property; giving to all trans
portation interests and privileges ei;. equa
rates for fares and freight.
3. We denOunce the present tuiamou
schemes for refunding these debts and de
mand that the laws now applicable theret
; be executed and administered according t,
their true intent and spirit.
4. The telegraph. like the postottice sys
tenn, beng necessity for the transmission
of news should be owned and operated b,
the government in the interest of people.
LAND.
, l. The true policy demands that the ma
tiOnal and State legislation shall be such a
will ultimately enable every prudent AM
industrious citizen to secure home an,
, Lied for speculative purposes.
"Au lands now held by railroads an
other corporations in excess of their actua
needs, should by lawful means be reclaim
ed by the government and held for actua
settlers only, and private land monopoly a
well as alien ownership should be prohih
tied.
2. We condemn the frauds by which tn
land grants to the Pacific Railroad compan
les have, through connivance of the Interio
department., robbed multitudes of actua
bonafide settlers of their homes and miner
OF their claims, that we demand Legislation
, by Congress which will enforce the exemI
ton of mineral land from such grants after
as well as before patent.
3. We demand that bonafide settlers OF
all public lands be provided free homes an,
be provided for in the national HOMESTEAD
law, and that no exception be made IN tn
case of Indian reservations when opene
patented come under this demand.
4. We favor a system of direct legislation
through the initiative and referendum uu
der proper constitutional safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
l. We demand the election of Presiden
and Vice-President and United States Sens
tors BY direct vote OF the people.
. | q. w oOAuCA w VIC pdCIlOIlC pCOplo o
Cuba our deepest sympathy in their heroi
J struggle for political freedom and indepen
dence, and we believe the time has com
when the United States, the great Republi
of the world, should recognize that Cuba i
and of right ought to be free and indie
pendent State.
3. We favor home rule in the Territorie
and the District of Columbia, and the earl,
admission of Territories as States
; 4. All public salaries should be made t
, correspond to the price of labor and its pro
ducts.
5. In times of great industrial depression
idle labor should be employed on publ
works as far as practicable.
! s. The arbitrary course of the courts il
assuming to imprison citizens for indirec
contempt and ruling by injunction, shout,
be prevented by proper legislation.
, u: We favor just pensions for our disable,
Union soldiers.
8. Believing that the election franchis
and untrammeled ballot are essential to