The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-07-21
The Peoples Party National Platform.
Following is the Populist platform as

ianO.
Following is the Populist platform as
adopted:
THE Peoples Party assembled IN Ma
tional convention, reafirms 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
OF the present and preceding administra-
lions, Tue country has reached crisis in its
National life as predicted in our declaration
four years ago, and that prompt and patri-
otlc 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
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 influ-
enee 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 Of tn ms ana 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
oil debts, public and private, so that a inst
equitable and efficient means of distribution
may be made direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursement of the gov
eminent. e~'
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.
s. We demand the volume of Circulating
medium be speedily increased to an amount
sufficient to meet the demands of the husi.
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
D. We demand such legal legislation as
will prevent the demonstration of the law
ful money of the United States bv private
3. we demand that the government in
payment OF its obligations shall use its on
tons a. to the kind Of lawful money In
IN Mnicn tney are TO be paid and We denounce
tne present and preceding administration
Tor surrendering this option to the holders
OF government obligations.
Il. we demand 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 misinterpretation az
the constitution and an invasion of the
nghtfui powers OF Congress over the sub
8. We demand that postal sayings banks
Dc established by the government for the
and to facilitate exchange. f'p'0
RAILROADs.
l. Transportation being a means of OF.
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate the RAILROADS
IN the interest Of the people on a non-nar.
tisan basis; to the end that all NAV be ac.
coroed tne same treatment in transports
tion, ana that the tyranny and political
power now exercised BY the great raiIroad
corporations, which results in the imnsir-
ment II not the destruction of the nolifical
rights and personal liberties of the citizen.
may be destroyed. Such ownership is to he
s;nPnsneo gradually in . manner con-
2. The interest of the United State. in y.
public highways built with public monav.
and the proceeds of extensive erants nf i:nd
to the Pacific railroad should never be ai len
ated, mortgaged or sold, but puarded snd
protected for the general welfare, % provid-
Cd BY the laws of Organizing such raiInocSs
Inc foreclosure of existing lines of the I'M.
ted States on these roads should st once foi-
10! default in the payment thereof Of the
oebt OF companies, and 1t the forecioanre
Gales OF said roads the government shai
purchase the Same If it becomes necesss-
to protect its interest therein OF il. thev csnn
% purchased Ct reasonable price: and the
government shall operate said railroedsu -
public highway Tor the benefit Of the
whole people, and not in the ,interesf Of the
few, under suitable provisions for nrotec'
ton Of life and properly; giving to alf trsns.
portation intereets and PRIVILEGES and eon.1 |
rates for fares and freight. a1~'
$. We denounce the present infamon.
schemes for refundin9 these debts and az
mand that the laws now applicabIe theretc
be executed and administered accord;rs =.
their true intent and spirit. "
4. The telegraph. like the postofi3ce xv..
tenn, beang necessity for the transmis.inn
Of news should be owned and oner.ted ~
the government In the interest of neonIs
LAND.
l. The true policy demands that III.
donAl and State legislation ahail - s,,.h -