Populist Platform in the Gilded Age

Progressive Populists at the Turn of the Century

The “Omaha Platform,” “People's Party,” later “Populist Party,” Omaha, Nebraska

“The conditions which surround us best justify our CO-OPERATION: we meet in the midst of a Nation brought to the verge of moral, political and material Ruin.”

“Corruption dominates the Ballot-box, the (State) Legislatures, the (US) Congress, and touches even the ermine of the Bench. The People are demoralized, most of the States have been compelled to isolate the Voters at the polling-places to prevent universal intimidation or bribery. The newspapers are largely subsidized or muzzled; public opinion silenced; business prostrated; our homes covered with Mortgages; Labor impoverished; the Land concentrating in the hands of the Capitalists.”

“The urban Workmen are denied the right of Organization for self protection; imported pauperized Labor beats down their Wages; a hireling standing Army, unrecognized by our Laws, is established to shoot them down. They are rapidly degenerating into European conditions. The fruits of the toil of Millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for a Few, unprecedented in the History of Mankind; and the possessors of these, in turn, despise the Republic and endanger Liberty. From the same prolific womb of Governmental injustice we breed tbhe two great Classes - Tramps and Millionaires...”

“We declare therefore ----”

“First. That the Union of Labor forces of the United States this day consum-mated shall be permanent and perpetual; may its Spirit enter all hearts for the salvation of the Republic and the unplifting of Mankind.”

“Second. Wealth belongs to him who Creates it, and every dollar taken from Industry without equivalent is Robbery. 'If any will not work, neither shall he eat.'

The interests of rural and civic Labor are the same; their Enemies are identical.”

“Third. We believe that the time has come when the Railroad corporations will either own the People, or the People will own the Railroads; and, should the Government enter upon the work of owning and managing all Railroads, we should favor an Amendment to the Constitution by which all persons engaged in the government service shall be placed under a Civil Service regulation of the most rigid character, so as to prevent the increase of the power of the National administ-ration by the use of such additional government Employees.”

“First, Money. We demand a national Currency, safe, sound and flexible, issued by the general Government only, 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 distribution direct to the People, at a tax not to exceed two percent per annum, to be provided as set forth in the sub-treasury plan of the Farmers' Alliance, or a better system; also, by payments in discharge of its obligations for Public improvements.”

a) “We demand free and unlimited coinage of Silver and Gold at the present legal ratio of sixteen to one.

b) We demand that the amount of the circulating medium be speedily increased to not less than 50 dollars 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 hands of the People, and hence we demand that all State and National revenues be limited to the necessary expenses of the government economically and honestly administered. e) We demand that Postal Savings Banks be established by the government for the Safe deposit of the earnings of the People and to facilitate exchange.”

“Second, Transportation. Transportation being a means of exchange and public Necessity, the Government should own and operate the Railroads in the interest of the People.

a) The Telegraph and Telephone, like the Post-Office system, being a Necessity for the transportation of News, should be owned and operated by the Government in the interest of the People.”

“Third, Land. The Land, including all the natural sources of Wealth, is the Heritage of the People, and should not be Mono- polized for Speculative purposes, and alien ownership of Land should be prohibited.”

“All Land that is now held by Railroads or other Corporat- ions in excess of their actual needs, and all Lands now owned by aliens, should be reclaimed by the Government and held for actual Settlers only.”

The Omaha Platform - 1892

Los Angeles Labor Day Parade - September 5, 2011