The Southern Mercury. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 11, 1892 Page: 10 of 16
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10
SOUTHERN MERCURY.
Aug. II, 1892
National and State Platform.
PREAMBLE.
Assembled upon the llflth anniversary of
the declaration of Independence, the People's
Party of Americd, in its first national conven-
tion invoking upon its action the blessings of
Almighty God, puts forth In his name, and on
behalf of the people of this country the fol-
lowing preamble and declaration of principles
and the conditions which surround us best
justify our co-operation. Wo meet in the
midst of a nation brought to the verge of
political and material ruin. Corruption dom-
inates the ballot-box, legislatures, congress,
and touches even the ermine of the bench.
The people aro demoralized, and most of the
states hate been compelled to isolate voters
at polling places to'prevent universal intimi-
dation and bribery. The newspapers largolv
subsidized or muzzled, public opinion is si-
lonced, business Is prostrated, our homes are
covered with mortgages, labor is Impover-
ished and land is concentrating in the hands
of capitalists. Urbane workmen are denied
therlgl'tof organization for self protection,
imported pauperized labor beats down wages,
a hireling standing army unrecognized by our
laws is established to shoot them down and
thoy are rapidly degenerating into European
conditions. Tho fruits of millions arc boldly
stolen to build up'eolossal fortunes for a few,
unprecedented In the history of miinlcind and
tho possessors of these in turn despise the
republic and endanger liberty.
From the same proline womb of govern-
mental Injustice, we breed two great classes—
tramps and millionaires, The niitional power
to create money is appropriated to enrich
bondholders and the vast public debt payable
in legal tender currency hns been funded into
gold-bearing bonds, thereby adding millions
to the burdens of the people. Silvor, which
has been a coin since the dawn of history, has
been demonetized to add to the pwrcliiisinir
power of gold, by docroasing the value of all
forms of property as well as human labor, and
the supply of currency is purposely abridged
to fatten usurers, bankrupt enterprises and
enslave Industry' A viu ff conspiracy against
mankind has been organized on two conti-
nents and is rapidly taking possession of the
world. If not met and overthrown at once,
itforebodos terrible social convulsions, the
destruction of civilization or the establish-
ment of absolute despotism.
Wo have witnessed for more than a quarter
of a ecntury'tho struggles of The great politi-
cal parties for power and plunder, while
grievous wrongs have been Inflicted upon suf-
fering people. We charge that the controlling
Influences dominating both these parties have
permitted the cxlsttnir dreadful conditions to
develop without a serious effort to prevent or
restrain them. Neither do they promise any
substantial reform. They have agreed to-
gether to ignore in the coining campaign
every issue but one. They propose to drown
out the cries of the plundered people with the
uproar of a sham battle over the tariff, so that
capitalists, corporations, national banks,
trusts, watered stocks, demoneization of silver
and oppression of usurers may all be lost, sight
of. They propose to sacrifice our homes, lives
and children on the alfar of Mammon, to de-
stroy the multitude In order fo secure corrup
Hon funds from the millionaires. Assembled
on tho anniversary of the birthday of the na-
tion, and filled with a spirit of Hie grand gen-
eration who established our Independence, we
seek to restore the government of the repub-
lic to the hands of the plain people with whose
class it originated.
We assert, our purposes fo be identical with
tho purposes of the national constitution—to
form a more perfect union, establish Justice,
Insure domestic tranquility, provide lor com-
mon defense, promote the general welfare
and secure the blessings of liberty for our-
selves and our posterity. We declare that this
republic can only endure as a freo "overnnient
while built, upon the love of the whole people
for each other and for the nation, that it can-
not bo pinned together by the bayonet, that
the civil war is over and every passion and re-
sentment which grew out of' ii must die with
it, and that we must In fact as in name, be one
united brotherhood of freemen.
Our countrv finds Itself confronted by con-
ditions for which there Is 110 precedent." in tIn
history of the world. Our annual agricultural
productions amount to billions of dollars in
value, which must within a few weeks per-
haps, be exchanged for billion dollar commod-
ities consumed in their production. The ex-
isting currency supply Is whollv Inadequate to
make this exchange. The results are falling
prices, formation of combines and rings and
the Impoverishment of the producing class.
We pledge ourselves tli.it if given power we
will labor to correct these evils u.v wise and
reasonable legisla!Ion in accordance with the
terms of our platforms. We believe the pow-
ers of government should be expanded, as in
the ease of the postal service, rapldlv and
as the good sense of an Intelligent people ami
the tenchinirs of experience shall justify, fo
end that oppression. Injustice and poverty
shall eventually eea«eln the land. While our
sympathies as a party of reform are naturally
upon tho side of every proposition which will
tend to make men intelligent, virtuous and
temperate, we will nevertheless, regard these
questions as secondary to the grear issues now
pressing for solution, and upon which not
only our individual prosperity, but the very
existence of free institutions depend, and we
ask all men to first help us determine whether
we are to have the republic to ndniinister be-
fore we differ as to tjie conditions upon which
it. is to be administered, llelievlng the forces
of reform this day organized will never cease
to move forward until every wrong is reme-
died and equal rights ami equal privileges
soourely established for all men and women in
this oountry.
We declare therefore, first, the union of the
labor forces of the United States this dav con-
summated shall be permanent and perpetual.
May Its spirit come into all hearts for the sal-
vation of the republic and the uplifting of
mahklnd.
2. Wealth belongs to him who creates it ami
even ' dollar taken from industry without an
equivalent is robbery. "If he will not work
neither shall he eat. The Interests of rural
and oivlo labor are the same, their enemies,
are identioal,
3. Wo believe the time has come when rail-
road corporations will either own tho people
or the people must own the railroads, and
should the government enter upon the work
of owning and managing any or all railroads
*4
wc should favor an amendment to the consti-
tution by which all persons engaged in gov-
ernment services be placed under civil service
regulations of the most rigid character so as
to prevent an increase of power of the na-
tional administration by the use of such addi-
tional goverment employes.
NATIONAL PLATFOItM,
FINANCE.
FlrSt—We demand a national currency,safe
sound, and flexible, issued by the general
government only, which shall be a full legal
tender for all debts, public and private, and
that without the use of banking corporations,
a just, equitable and efficient means of distri-
bution direct to people at a tax not to exceed
ü per cent, per annum to be provided as set
forth In the sub-treasury plan of the Farmers'
Alliance or some better systems; also by pay-
ments In discharge of its obligations for pub-
lic improvements.
a. We demand the free and unlimited coin-
age of silver and gold at the present legal ratio
of 11 to 1.
h. Wo demand that the amount of the circu-
lating medium bo speedily increased to not
less than $50 per capita.
c. We demand a graduated income tax.
d. We believe that the money of the
country should be kept as much as possible in
the hnnds of the people, and hence we demand
that all national and state revenue shall be
limited to the necessary expenses of the gov-
ernment, economically and honestly adminis-
tered.
We demand that postal savings banks be
established by the government for the safe de-
posit of the earnings of the people, and to
facilitate exchange.
IjAND,
Second—The land, including all the natural
resources of wealth, is the heritage of the peo-
plo and should not be monopolized for specula-
tive purposes, and alien ownership of land
should be prohibited. AH land now held by
railroads and other corporations In excess of
their actual needs and all lands now owned by
aliens should be reclaimed by the «oncrnment
and held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORTATION.
Third—Transportation being a means of ex-
change and a public necessity, the government
should own and operate tho railroads in the in-
terests of the people.
a. Tho telegraph and telephone, like the
post-offico system, being a necessity for the
transmission of news, should be owned and
operated by the government in tho interest of
the pcoplo.
STATE PLATFORM.
Section I. All tho public lands of Texas re-
maining and that can bo recovered should be
reserved as homesteads for actual settlers. All
lands heretofore granted to individuals or
corporations in which tho grantees have not
complied with the conditions of the grant
should bo forfeited to tho state for homestead
purposes; no alien ownership of lands should
lie allowed in Texas. Corporations shall iv t l>e
allowed to own more land than thoy actually
use in the prosecution of their business.
See.We favor an effective system of pub-
lic schools for six months in the year for all
children between the ages of (I and 20. We de-
mand tho adoption of a uniform series of text
books for tho public schools of this state and
that they bo published at t.lio expense of the
slate, and furnished to tho children in the
schools at cost.
See. ¡1 Wo demand an amendment to our
slate constitution authorizing the loaning of
our permanent school fund not otherwise in-
vested, upon lands of the pcoplo of this state,
at a low rate of interest witli proper limita-
tions upon the quantity of land and the
amount of money.
Sec. 4. Wo demand reformation in tho pun-
ishment of convicts that convict labor be
taken out of competition with citizen labor:
that convicts bo given intellectual and moral
instructions, ami that the earnings of the con-
vict, above the expense of keeping, shall go
to his family.
Sec. ft. We demand that railroads be com-
pelled to pav their employes monthly in the
lawful money of the country, and in case of
discharge be paid at the nearest station imme-
diately upon their discharge.
See. (I. We demand fair elections and an
honest count of tho votos, under either the
Australian or somo similar system of voting.
Set". 7. We favor a railway commission with
power to tlx and maintain rates that will in-
sure equal and exact Justice to the people and
the railways. The commission tobe compos-
ed of three qualified citizens of the state to be
elected by a direct vote of the people. But
we regard government ownership as the ulti-
mate solution of the railroad problem in the
limits of the state.
Sec. S. We demand an efficient lien law, that
will protect the artisan, mechanic, laborer and
material men.
Sec. W. We demand that a law be passed de-
claring eight hours to be a legal day's work,
where it is not otherwise provided by con-
tract.
Sec.10.Wo demand tli it the maximum salari-
es of county officers shall not exceed ffcJUOOper
annum, after all expenses of any such office
have been paid, and nil surplus in excess of
such salary and expenses shall be paid into
ami become a part of the available public
school fund of such county and that said ex-
cess be prorated in such counties.
Sec. 11. Wo demand the estabtlshment of a
state bureau of labor. We favor the creation
of a s ate board of arbitration to adjust all
differences between corporations and em-
ployes.
Sec 12. Wo demand that comnilssloners'courts
bo not allowed to contract a delt against a
county for more than $.">,000. unless the same
be ordered by a maj >rity vote of the county.
Seolii. Wo favor such a change in the consti-
tution as shallprohiblt. national bankers and
members of railway, telegraph and telephone
companies and their attorneys, or* who shall
have held such positions within two years
prifrt" to an election from holding any legisla-
tive or judicial office within this state.
HAVE
YOU
GOT
PILES
rrchino files known by moisture
lite perspiration, cause intense itching
when warm. Thie form and blind,
bludxnd or protruding PIMM
Yield at oncb to
OR. B0-SAN-K<rS PILE REMEDY.
which act* direoUr on parts affected,
absorbs tumors, allays itching, effecting
• permanent euro. Prioe 80e. Drunists
•rmall. DiwBo—nfro. Philadelphia.P
Galveston Bagging and Cordase Co,
Capacity 8,000,000 Yards Jute Bagging annually. Largo production of baling twines. Pre-
pared to meet all competition.
Officers : 11. Adoue, President; W. F. Ladd, Secretary and Treasury ; W. S. Davis, Vice
Presidont; F. J. Demerit, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer; E. L. Andrews, Salesman.
. actory 38th and Avenue G, Office 28th Street and Strand.
GALVESTON. TEXAS,
Mention the Mercury when you write.
1TRICYCLE SULKY PLOW
We have made exhaustive testn of several valu-
able Improvements on the TRICYCLE during
the past year, and they prove to he valuable
addition to the plow. These experiments
have not heen made at the farmer' expense.
We spend thousands of dollars annually 111 test-
ing our improvements, (many makers of plows
do it at your expense, detriment and loss.) We
are therefore able to place
before our patrons goods of
known reliability, and which
can be purchased with perfect
safety. Space forbids giving
a description of the TRICYCLE
here. Our circulars, which are
mailed free to any address, give
full description and testimon-
We will say. however, that
durability, lightness of draft,
ease of management and perfect
work in Texa Rlaek, Wax?
■loir Wallow l.and the Tricyclic
is "in it," and is warranted as rep.
resented or money will be refunded
We manufacture all kinds of (Jang Dink Harrows, Steel Harrow , Nlalk Cutters,
fan ton «'Upper IMows. and are State Agents for the world-renowned Superior «rain Drill .
Mower , Hay Pre e . Hltts Thre liern.Wagon Keale . Sweep Rake . Sorjfhnm Mill
and Kvaporator . ltumcie , tarrlaei* . Cart . Harne . Rain, Cooper and Old Waeon .
Write us for your wan ts. PARLIN A ORENDORFF CO. Mfrs., DALLAS,TEX.
Front or Flat Top Feeders and Condensers.
PRATT HULLER GINS.
HOWARD P. SMITH, Manager, HOUSTON, TEXAS.
ALSO DEALElt IN
Engines, Ii3elf-P,ieking Cotton Presses. Cotton Elevators, Straub Mills,
Scales, Belting, Etc.
■iuuuB Al N WACON
THE KING OF WA60NS
FARMERS, a word to you
about WAGONS!
There is no country that requires as strictly a flrst-clasa
Wagon as Texas, because its changeable climate subjects
**" material to much swelling i«id shrinking ; therefore it
is folly to buy any but the best. The RAIN Wagon
has stood the test of forty years, and Its quality has
never been sacrificed to meet the demand for a low
priced Wagon. It is to-rfay the King of Wagons. The
best lininhed. Iiest Ironed, luont durable and
llarntest Draft Wagon made. Ask yourdealer foritand
___ __ take no other. Write us for circulars and prices,deliv-
i ered If you can't get them from him, mentioning this
_ paper. Also state Agents for COWPEB A STi-.Ri.1m4
PAItLIN * ORENDORFF CO.. State Agents, DALLAS,TEXAS.
V
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Park, Milton. The Southern Mercury. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 11, 1892, newspaper, August 11, 1892; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth185477/m1/10/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .