The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-06-16
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as

adopted:
'fhe Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tional convention, reaffirms its allegiance
to the the Brinciples declared BY the founders
al principles Of just governments 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 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
peoples government, which functions have
been basely surrendered by our public ser
wants to corporate monopolies. The influ-
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.
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 PR1Nc1pLrs.
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.
:. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver and gold at the present le-
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-
increase OF the public Understanding 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.
8. We demand such legal legislation az
will prevent the demonstration of the law
full money of the United States by private
6. We demand that the government in
payment Of its obligations shall use its op-
tons a. to the kind of lawful money in
which they are to be paid and we denounce
the present and preceding administration
1OI SuTIeuUeI1uR Ills OpLlOQ 10 the 0Ol0oIS
of government obligations.
Z. We demand a graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shau bear
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
| ject of taxation.
8. We demand that postal sayings banks
be established by the government for the
safe deposit OF the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
RAILROADS.
l. Transportation being q means of ex.
ment should own aud operate the railroads
| 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 political
power now exercised BY the great railroad
ment it not the destruction of the political
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 thu
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 md
protected for the general welfare, - 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 thu
debt of companies, and 1t the Foreclosure
sales of said roads the government shal
purchase the same If it becomes neces az
to protect its interest therein or il they car
be purchased ct reasonable price; and tn
government shall operate said railroads q
public Highways for the benefit Of thu
Wh0l4 n0OOlA and mt IN the lrNn,,.~k - - .