The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-11
THE TWO PLATFORMS.

The platforms of the two Populist par
ties are interesting contributions to the
political history of the times, but they
will not attract a great deal OF attention
because neither of these parties will play
very important part in the presidential
campaign. The National Popufist party,
which includes in its membership the
great majority of the Populists, will be
practically lost in the Democratic party
1t will support the Democratic ticket
and the Democratic platform. The num-
Der OF the MhSdle-of-the-Road Populists
is so small that che platform of that party
win be read for curiosity rather than for
any other reason.
The platforms of the two parties do not
differ materially from the last National
Populist platforms. They contain new
demands to meet new conditions, but they
stick pretty closely to the declarations Of
principles of four years ago. 1t is no
ticeable, however. that neither party is
as aggressive in respect 10 the free coin
age of silver as 1t once was. The Middle
of-the-Road Populists however, are just
as confident as they ever were that the
prosperity of the country depends upon
practically unlimited supply of paper
money, to be issued by the government.
The following are the main points in the
platform OF the National Populists:
]. Reaffirms adherence to doctrines set
forth in the party's platform for the past
eight years.
2. Declares 1t to be the purpose of the
Republican party to establish a strong
aFsr1r11 ant.
conduct of the administration In the Phil
ippines is ghastly travesty upon intel
ligent human government, and demands
that war on the Filipinos shall cease, and
that they shall be accorded trea tment
like that promised the Cuhans.
3. Porto Rico legislation is denounced as
fragrant violation of the constitution.
A. The administration is denounced for
unnecessarily increasing the army A
citizen soldiery is declared to be the safe
guard of the republic.
D. demand that the administration
shah take prompt steps to end the war in
South Africa on terms alike honorable
to both parties.
s. declaration against trusts, and a
remedy for trust evils proposed.
z. Municipal ownership of public utdli-
ties approved.
8. A demand for the initiative and refer
endum.
and honest administration of the pension
DAVIS.
The demands of the Middle-of-the Road
Populists are contained in the following
summary:
1. The initiative and referendum.
2. Public ownership of such railroads,
telegraph and telephone lines coal mines,
etc, as the people may elect.
3. Prohibition of alien ownership of land
and the return to the government of all
lands held by railroads and other cor
porations In excess of their needs.
4. Scientific and absolute paper money
based upon the wealth and population of
the country, not redeemable In any COM
modify and to be issued by the govern
ment but until paper money is secured
free silver coinage at the ratio of 16 10
l, is demanded.
5. A tax on incomes and inheritances.
6. The election of President and Vice
President, United States judges and sem
ators by direct vote of the people.
Populsm has host ground steadily since
the campaign of 1896. 1t would not be
surprising If neither of the Popuhst or
CARNATIONS ever again held national
convention.