The Placer herald., 1874-05-30
LABORING MEN AND INDEPENDENTS.

The Argus takes occasion, in comment
ing on the recent demonstrations of the
working men in this and other States, to
assert that, "By their actions the Dolly
Warden leader does not seem to be held in
high estimation by these hardy sons of
toll Gov. Booth, who, by the way, was
lauded to the skies by this same Argus, a
shcrt time ago, because be had courage
enough to declare for right and the work
ingmen, but who is now denounced without
mercy by it, simply because he did thus
declare, is the leader referred to- We have
thus far failed to see any particular mention,
either direct or nferential, of Gov. Booth
by these workingmen, in Convention as
sembled. But that their declarations are
in exact unison with the avowed principles
of the Independent party, their own words
will prove. They say, "We are utterly
opposed to the iniquitous system of ex-
empting Z. S. Bonds from taxation, where
by the rich become richer, and the poor
are made to support the burdens of Gov
eminent" This is one of the bedrock prn
ciples of the Independents. while, as all
know. it has been continual effort of the
Republican party to have these bonds ex-
empt from taxation; and how well they
have succeeded need not be repeated.
Again they say, "public lands, being the
heritage of the people, should be retained
for the use of the nations children, and not
squandered in subsidies to railroads and
canals" Was it not to put stop to this
infamous practice of the Republican party,
of giving the peoples land and money away,
more than any other cause that called the In
dependent party into existence? Most assur-
edly Then, so far, the workingmen are
in exact accord with the Independents.
But, still further, they declare "tile contract
system, on public works, is nursery for
fraud and corruption, whereby the men who
do not work become rich, by robbing the
Government out of the money that should
pay for labor and materials" This is as
rue as gospel. And it is equally true that
this fraudulent contract system originated
with, and has been especially fostered by
the Republican party. And it is also true
that this is one of the features of fraud
which the Independent party pledge them
selves to correct. Again, they "demand
that workingmen shall have working Rep
| ., ,bo A. ~.
This is leading principle of the 1ndepend-
ents, to elect men to Office who will act for
the good of the whole people. They go in
for securing that which the Republican party
are trying to withhold, viz: "the political
rights and social privileges which properly
belong to the working class" So do the
Inde ependents, most emphaticay. They
say again, "We earnestly urge the i'm
portance of immediate and thorough organi-
zaton for united political action This is
the very essence of Independence. If they
were satisfied with the present administra-
ton, why should they organize q? They are
not. And hence they recommend organiza-
ton Why, instead of not "bolding the
Independents in high estimation" as the
Argus says, it is them and them only they
do esteem, tLey ndorse their principles
and why? Simply because they are Inde-
pendents themselves. They and the Inde-
pendents are one and the same thing. The
: Independent party seeks to protect all
in their just rights-that which Republi
cans have refused or failed to do,-and
, their just and equal rights and protection is
, all the laborng men, or any other class of
men want Then, pray show us where they
do not harmonize. Why, the Independent
party was founded on the very abuses
which the dominant party inflicted on the
poor and laboring classes. By them, and
for their protection, was it organized. And
it is because it promises protection and equal
rights to all, whether rich or poor, that we
are its advocate. When it shall fail to do
this, not only by word but by act, then are
we with it no longer.