The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-07-07
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following IL the Populist platform al

Following IL the Populist platform az
"fhe Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tional convention, reafa rms its allegiance
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
tons, the country has reached crisis in its
National life a. 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 influ-
ence of European money changers has been
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 plut0cracy 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 q full legal tender for
I'll 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
:. We demand the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver and gold at the present le-
gal ratio of Is to without waiting for the
consent of foreign nations.
| 3. We demand the volume of circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
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.
.. We demand such legal legislation %
will prevent the demonetiZation 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'
which they are to be paid and We denounce
the present and preceding administration
for surrendering this option to the holdera
OF government obligations.
Z. We demand graduated income tax to
the end that aggregated wealth shall beal
nounce the Supreme court, relative to the
income tax law, a. q misinterpretation 0t
the constitution and an invasion of the
rightful powers Of Congress over the sub
Jet of taxation.
8.-We demand that postal sayings bank
1 n ~ -
safe deposit OF the savings of the peopla
and to facilitate exchange.
RAILRoADs.
l. Transportation being . means of az
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the railroad,
IN the interest OF the people on . non-par
tisan basis; to the end that all may be 90
corded the same treatment in trsnsporta
ton. and that the tyranny and politica
power now exercised BY the great Tailroai
corporations, which results in the impair
ment If not the destruction of the polifica
rights and personal liberties of the citizens
may be destroyed; Such ownership Is to b
accomplished gradually in . manner con
Gistent with sound policy.
2. The interest Of the United States In tn.
public highways built with public moneys
and the proceed1 OF extensive grants of LAND
% the Pacific railroad should never be alien
: ated. mortgaged or sold, but guarded and
, protected for the general welfare, q proyid
e BY the laws OF organizing such railroads
The foreclosure Of existing lines Of the I'M
ted States on these roads should ct once FOL
low default In the payment thereof Of ~
DEBT OF companies, and ct the fcreclosur,
alee OF said roads the government mn
purchase the Same il It becomes neceeeery
to protect IT'D interest therein or II thev ~
! b purchased at z reasonable price and ~
government shall operate said railroads =
pubic highways for the benefit Of thu