populists

Populist Thomas Edward Watson

The Populist party ,founded in about 1891, was formed by a small political party associated with the Farmers Alliance. The Populists built their platform centered around the following issues: 1. An increased circulation of money. 2. The unlimited minting of silver. 3. A progressive income tax, in which the percentage of taxes owed increases with a rise i income. This tax would put a greater financial burden on wealthy industrialists and a lesser one on farmers. 4. Government ownership of communications and transportation systems. The Populists also endorsed an eight-hour work day.

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