The severe economic depression of the 1890s strengthened the Populists' argument that a white and black farmers had common economic interests b the abolition of all metallic money in favor of paper was essential. c wage earners and farmers alike were victims of an oppressive economic and political system. d government should not own the railroads, telephone, and telegraph companies. e farmers had nothing in common with the residents of industrial cities

The severe economic depression of the 1890s strengthened the Populists' argument that "wage earners and farmers alike were victims of an oppressive economic and political system."

The severe economic depression of the 1890s is widely described as the Panic of 1893. While many causes were leading to the economic meltdown during the period, the major problem is attributed to investment failure in Argentina which was encouraged by Argentine bank agents, South Africa and Australia.

Hence, the wage earners and farmers who were majorly hit by the economic situation directed their frustrations towards elites, banks, gold.

Therefore, the right answer to the question is option C "wage earners and farmers alike were victims of an oppressive economic and political system."