The Placer herald., 1874-10-10
THE INDEPENDENTS.

The Independent movement, says con-
temporary, is playing prominent part in the
canvass in some OF the States that are about
TO hold their elections. In FIVE States con.
ventions have been held where candidates
outside Of parry factions are placed in nomin-
alton. These are Iowa, Kansas, Indiana,
Illinois and Missouri and, what is equally
important, in the counties of these several
States the people are organized with the view
of electing men to local offices irrespective Of
party affiliations, and on account Of known
integrity and ftness for the position. In
Ohio, where the Independent element lie as
sociaied with the Liberal Repubcauism Of
two years ago, the Liberals have coalesced
with the Democrats in submitting ticket
for the people. In Wisconsin, Nebrark ka,
Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada, they
have not held their nominating conven-
tions yet Beyond the States above named
Independent candidates will run for Congress
in Washington, Arizona. and Idaho Terrific
ries. Oregon held its State election in June
when the Independents showed their strength
by returning a majority of their candidates
to the State Legislature IF we add 10 the
foregoing California, which. though, holds no
election of consequence this year, it will be
seen that the Independent movement is the
leading power in all the States in the West.
Platforms ,as a rule, are not interesting read
ing, but an examination of those which have
been adopted by recent conventions of the
two old parties reveals some instructive facts.
In no two States are the platforms Of the
same party alike. The Democrats Of lndi-
ana want imitation aud repudiaiion. The T.
linois Democracy go for hard money and the
pay ment Of the debt il gold. The Democ-
racy Of Missouri ask for tariff for revenue
only. In Pennsylvania the rank and file are
invited to support the Democratic office hold
ers on the basis of protection for local indus
tries A similar state Of affairs is observable
in all the Republican platforms. Blu, in both
the Democratic and Republican platforms ii
is amusing to notice how eagerly the abuses
which called forth the Independent move
ment are taken up and denounced. Notably
is this so in regard to corporations. We have
yet to hear Of a convention where it s not hell
that the people have the right through their
Legislature to regulate fares and freights, go
that railroads shall fulfill the purposes for
which they obtained their franchises, as the
servants aud not the masters Of the people.
In the Southern States old party lines are
becoming effaced in the assault upon carpet
bag rule The correspondent Of the Cincin-
natl Commercial, who has been recently
travelling in t. South, makes the prediction
that in only three States-Louisiana, Mis-
sissippi aud South Ca, olisa the Repub-
licans carry the ensuing elections. North
Carolina, in August, reversed ts decision Of
two years ago, and elected conservatives.
In the Eastern States there is his same dis.
position TO bolt from regular party nomina-
tions. Even Republican Vermont is kick.
ing over the traces, as Judge Poland can
now testify. Politics are in the same uncer-
tain condition in New York. The old party
cries have loet their power, and the reform
ers, If they hv, lot yet sufficiently
developed strength to elect their own ticket.
have the negative influence Of keeping old
party hacks off from the politicians tickets.
In fact there is not u Staten the Union where
the Independent movement. in some shape
or other, is not power in the land. lts po-
tency is, Of course. more strongly exhibited
in the Western States, because there the
people have most suffered from monopoly ex-
tortiou in alliance with corrupt politicians.