The Populist Party gained significant recognition with their emergence in the 1880's and 1890's. They were at their highest prominence in the 1890’s, being regarded as a true third party. Their platform of 1892 had three foremost constituents, which were the preamble, the platform, and the expression of sentiments. In the preamble the party states the hinderances of America and the things that continue to hold back our country. They discuss the deflation of silver, the corruptness of the ballot-box, and the significant amount of dominance exhibited from the other parties. They go on to say that theywish to repair and better the government by reinstating American power to the hands of the “plain people.” Furthermore in their discussion of their platform, they spoke of three major factors, being finance, transportation, and land. Financially they demanded free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the present legal ration of 16 to 1. They also requested a graduated income tax as well as postal savings banks being established by the government safe deposits by citizens and to encourage exchange. In regards to transportation, the Populist Party said that the government should have ownership of railroads, while the public should own and operate the telegraph and telephone. Finally, they stated that land should not be monopolized since it is property of the American people. Their Expression of Sentiments state the plans for the resolution of these issues in which they believed to be of importance. They determinedly proposed various different plans of action in order to resolve these hinderances and ultimately better America.
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