The Portland daily press., 1884-02-19
DEERsNG,s SIDE SHOW.
Another Gathering of the So-Called In
dependenss-Their Platform.

The meeting of the so-caled Independents
opened at 7.sO O'Clock last evening with large
attendance. The conduct of this meeting was
rather more orderly than that of the meeting
held on Saturday night, and the speeches were
more harmonious, probably because the men
who are not committed to use the organization
In Mayor behring's interest, hSving discover
ed the motives of the movers In the matter
have withdrawn.
Speeches were made by Messrs. Jewett
King and others. Mr.. Jewett their devoted
leader tried to smooth over statement made
by the PRESS, by saying "The PRESS came out
this morning calling this one-sided affair and
managed by the Democratic party. Now the
meeting Yves called for the purpose of assem-
bling the laboring men; but ii the Democrats
flock in, it is not our fault"
The following is the platform reported by the
committee and adopted:
We. the independent citizens of Portland. COM
posed OF mechanics and laboring men, in order to
form a more perfect and permanent organization,
wherein we may more amply provide for our mutual
by form ourselves into free and independent asso-
cistion by the name and style of the Independent
Citizens Association, and do ordain and adopt the
following declaration of principles:
I've recognize the fact that wealth Is exclusive
ly the product of labor.
2-Ibe accumulation of wealth by individuals
and corporations should be solely the result of ap-
piled skill and labor, without the stimulation of
grants and subsidies conferred by the general gov
eminent.
g. We hold that under the Constitution all men
are equal justly entitled to equal rights and natu
raliy endowed wi equal powers aud privileges in
exercising he right OF franchise.
4-The executive. legislative and judicial branch
es of our government are creatures Of the whole
people, and are for the whole people with special
a
g. Tneref re, it becomes the laboring men, with
out distinction in class or calling to maintain their
rights and exercise Their powers in the manner bet
calculated to promote their interests without re-
gard 10 the thr. ais of bullying ring masters the
crack Of their party whips.
I've claim tina it is the plain duty OF all labor
ing men to use the ballot, i'll municipal State aud
national elections, TO maintain their rights buG not
to divest themselves of their rights.
THE we TX and III fortunate, under all circum.
stances aud wherever found should be fairly 0e 1t
with and never subjected to Intimidation or bribery
III the exercise OF the right of suffrage.
= We believe the humble working man who
handles the spade and pick, is just necessary for
the success Of G. eat enterprises the skilled Ne
chanic who cesigus and constructs the magnificent
engn-s upon our railways and ia our manu- actories
ana either are as essential as he who manipulate
the pu strings, and their rishts and privileges
should not be ignored in the administration of pub
! c affairs
9-We insist upon the preservation of the public
domain for actual settle g. be ieving it to be the
Only SUI protection he working man has against
concentrated wealth and subsidized IN ncpolics.
10 We view with alarm. and enter cur earnest
protest against, ali cl,ss legis alton believing the
same to be hostile t, the iuteres.s of The people
contrary to the spit of our Repub lean insti:u
lions. We are oppo. ID T., all legislation that DIS
eliminates IN the interest Of or classes
trades or CALI g, such legislation has tenden-
cy to enable private persons and corpor atons to
rapidly accumulate colossal fortunes Without rem
erng to the government eQuiva,ant consi "a a.
ton for the same
live earnestly invite and call upon all me-
chinic- and lab ring men. of whater creed or DO
ltical faitb to unite with u.s. believing that by and
in s1n I'D rrlk4a
and rivileges of the mechanics aud the laboriug
classes a and shall be preserved