What would you identify as the most important ideas and proposals of the 1896 Populist Party Platform? What sorts of political and economic challenges does the party seek to address? At the end of the platform, what is described as the “pressing issue” of the campaign? Show In way ways does the 1896 Populist Party Platform build upon the 1892 Platform? Is the 1896 platform distinguished by its special focus on the “financial question” and interparty cooperation? IntroductionIn the wake of a national economic depression (the Panic of 1893), the Populist Party tossed its support behind Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan in 1896. Urged on by James B. Weaver (see A Call to Action), the Populists understood that electoral success was far more likely with Bryan than with a third-party candidate. Many feared that running a Populist candidate would only split the free silver vote and hand the presidency to the Republicans. The 1896 Populist Party Platform adopted in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 24, largely resembled the platform of 1892 in its basic principles and policy proposals. Of particular note here, however, is the final paragraph of the platform, which suggests that the present election will turn on the financial question and invites the cooperation of all parties, organizations, and citizens that agree with the Populists on these issues. The platform thus acknowledges that Populist electoral success, especially in 1896, might hinge upon cooperation with other interests and parties. —Jason R. Jividen Source: National Party Platforms, compiled by Kirk Harold Porter (New York: Macmillan, 1924), 196–200, available online at the Hathi Trust Digital Library: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015014290145;view=1up;seq=218.The People’s Party, assembled in national convention, reaffirms its allegiance to the principles declared by the founders of the Republic, and also to the fundamental principles of just government as enunciated in the platform of the party in 1892. We recognize that through the connivance of the present and preceding administrations, the country has reached a crisis in its national life, as predicted in our declaration four years ago, and that prompt and patriotic action is the supreme duty of the hour. We realize that, while we have political independence, our financial and industrial independence is yet to be attained by restoring to our country the constitutional control and exercise of the functions necessary to a people’s government, which functions have been basely surrendered by our public servant to corporate monopolies. The influence of European money-changers has been more potent in shaping legislation than the voice of the American people. Executive power and patronage have been used to corrupt our legislatures and defeat the will of the people, and plutocracy has thereby been enthroned upon the ruins of democracy. To restore the government intended by the fathers and for the welfare and prosperity of this and future generations, we demand the establishment of an economic and financial system which shall make us masters of our own affairs and independent of European control by the adoption of the following declaration of principles: The Finances
Railroads and Telegraphs
Land
The ReferendumWe favor a system of direct legislation, through the initiative and referendum, under proper constitutional safeguards. Direct Election of President and Senators by the PeopleWe demand the election of president, vice president, and United States senators by a direct vote of the people.[4] Sympathy for CubaWe tender to the patriotic people of the country our deepest sympathies in their heroic struggle for political freedom and independence, and we believe the time has come when the United States, the great Republic of the world, should recognize that Cuba is and of right ought to be a free and independent state.[5] The TerritoriesWe favor home rule in the territories and the District of Columbia, and the early admission of the territories as states.[6] Public SalariesAll public salaries should be made to correspond to the price of labor and its products. Employment to Be Furnished by GovernmentIn times of great industrial depression, idle labor should be employed on public works as far as practicable. Arbitrary Judicial ActionThe arbitrary course of the courts in assuming to imprison citizens for indirect contempt, and ruling them by injunction, should be prevented by proper legislation.[7] PensionsWe favor just pensions for our disabled Union soldiers. A Fair BallotBelieving that the elective franchise and an untrammeled ballot are essential to government of, for, and by the people, the People’s Party condemn the wholesale system of disfranchisement adopted in some of the states as unrepublican and undemocratic, and we declare it to be the duty of the several state legislatures to take such action as will secure a full, free, and fair ballot and honest count. The Financial Question “The Pressing Issue”While the foregoing propositions constitute the platform upon which our party stands, and for the vindication of which its organization will be maintained, we recognize that the great and pressing issue of the pending campaign, upon which the present election will turn, is the financial question, and upon this great and specific issue between the parties we cordially invite the aid and cooperation of all organizations and citizens agreeing with us upon this vital question. What was the goal of the Populist Party?One of the Populist Party's central goals was to create a coalition between farmers in the South and West and urban laborers in the Midwest and Northeast. In the latter regions, the Populists received the support of union officials like Knights of Labor leader Terrence Powderly and railroad organizer Eugene V.
What were the goals of the Populist Party quizlet?The Populist party. What were the goals of the People's party? Free coinage of silver, end to protective tariffs, end to national banks, tighter regulation of the railroads, and direct election of Senators by voters.
What did the Populist Party propose in Omaha Platform of 1892?The party nominated James K. Weaver for president and ratified the so-called Omaha Platform, which included proposals for the graduated income tax, secret ballot, direct election of United States senators, the eight-hour day, and other reform measures.
What was the Populist Party platform quizlet?Populist Party platform for the 1892 election (running for president-James Weaver, vice president-James Field) in which they called for free coinage of silver and paper money; national income tax; direct election of senators; regulation of railroads; and other government reforms to help farmers.
|