LAD #22

The Populist Party Platform

The Populist party, emerging in the late 1800's, became a very prominent third party, second only to the Republican and Democratic parties. The Platform, Preamble, and Expression of Sentiments are the main components making up the populist party. The Preamble is an integral part of the Populist party because it gives Populists an outlet to express what they feel is wrong with America. Issues they have discussed are the demoralization of silver, corruption in elections, and corruption in political parties. The Platform is another integral part of the Populist party because it allows Populists to express their feelings regarding finance, transportation, and land. Populists fought for the free coinage of silver and gold, a graduated income tax, and the establishment of safe banks. They also believed that railroads should be run by the government instead of the people, because privately owned railroads were often run by corrupt people. They felt that land should not be monopolized; instead it should be inheritable. Finally, Populists discussed in the Expression of Sentiments the ways they will resolve central issues in America. Populists supported the secret ballot and shorter hours of labor, two issues they addressed in the Expression of Sentiments.