Paul Cooney
AP American
Mr. Decarlo
8 January 2007


LAD 19- The Populist Party Platform

The preamble, written by Ignatius Donnelly, is symbolic of agrarian concerns of the Farmers’ Alliance along with the values of the Greenback Party while also endorsing the (urban) Knights of Labor. As stated in the preamble, the purpose of the gathering was to restore the Republic form of government to the common man on the same grounds that the country’s independence was founded on. The Platform’s 10 point “Expression of Sentiments” was as follows:

1. They wanted to adopt the Australian (secret ballot) system, which would enable a free and fair count in all elections, without Federal Intervention.
2. Income tax profits should be used towards the cutback of the tax upon the domestic industries of the United States.
3. They supported pensions to ex-Union soldiers and sailors.
4. The demand of the “further restriction of the undesirable emigration”
5. Sympathy for the labor unions in their purist for shorter hours, and stronger enforcement of the present eight-hour law.
6. The large amount of mercenaries was bothersome to this group. This “Pinkerton” system was a “menace to our liberties.”
7. The “initiative and referendum”
8. The limitation of the office of the President and the Vice-President to only one term, as well as allowing direct election of Senators by the people.
9. The opposition to subsidies and national aid to private corporations.
10. This group supported the Knights of Labor, who oppose it because it represents tyranny.

They document opened with some of these “truths.” Transportation is public necessity, and the government should own and operate the railroads in the interest of the people. As for the he telegraph and telephone it should also be owned and operated by the government in the interest of the people. ­ Land should not be monopolized and alien ownership of land should be prohibited.