LAD #23: The Populist Party Platform

In reaction to the rise of big business within America the Populist Party Platform, the party devised a "Declaration of Independence" condemning the atrocities present within cities and hopes for self-protection by the abuses of big business. They were claiming to represent the political desires and rights of the common working man. He argues that agricultural productivity allows for billions of dollars to be generated on account of crops, but these crops lower the value of the dollar, leaving those that produce the raw materials for finished goods in a ring of depression and falling prices, prompting poverty. They are against the use of silver and gold coinage, legalizing of union labor forces, and government ownership of industries such as railroads, telegraph, and telephone. Their main concern is for fair voting rights and political safety.