Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-09-19
PLATFORM OF PIERCE COUNTY IN.
DEPENDENTs.

Following is the platform adopted by
the Pierce County Independent Conveu-
ton at the meeting on the 10th
Labor is the source of all wealth, and
has right to demand Just share of
the profits of its own production. To
care for and protect IL Is the highest
mission of good government. To sus-
tain such a government all its dutles
should be borne by the members thereof
in just proportion to their abilities,
without preference, discrimination or
partiality. We ask equality of rights,
equality of burdens, equality Of privi-
leges and equality of power to all men
under the laws.
We are opposed to serf labor, and we
ask adequate protection of free labor.
We demand that no more revenue
should be raised by any form of govern
ment than Is absolutely necessary for
the expense of good government.
We believe IL Is the duty of Congress
to regulate commerce and commercial
communication between the respective
States.
We are opposed to all monopolies and
demand just laws securing to all our
people full protection against their en-
croachments.
We demand that all properties of
railroad companies be taxed IA far as
possible ON the same principles AS those
upon which the property of individuals
are taxed.
That railroad companies should be
compelled to select its lands and take
out patents therefor within six months
from the date OF acceptance of any sec
ton of completed road by the President
of the United States, So that the same
shall be taxed thereafter for the purpose
of State aud Territorial revenue.
That the rights of settlers should be
protected, and that settlers upon rail
road lands, before survey and location
thereof, should have the prior right of
purchase of the same.
That lieu lands should henceforth not
be allowed to any railroad company.
That the grant of lands to the North
ern Pacific Railroad Company from
Waliala down the Columbia River
should be forthwith surrendered by that
company to the government.
We regard the system of government
aid 10 railroads of doubtful expedienoy,
but inasmuch as We believe that the vel.
fare and best interests Of the citizens oi
Washington Territory are concerned IN
the speedy construction of the railroad
over the Cascade nountains- and appre-
ciating that q large portion OF the Terri.
tory have settled here, invested in prop
eriy. and engaged ia commercial pur.
suits. upon the faith that said railroad
would be constructed. and believing tha,
the permanent interests OF the people oi
this Territory absolutely require the
construction thereof as speedily as posi-.
BILE, we are therefore opposed to any
legislation by Congress tesding 10 Inn
pair the validity of the land grant IN
the aid of the building Of said Cascade
division. provided that Congress shall
require of the said Northern Pacific
Railroad Company, on condition OF It's
returning said grant, 20 uneQuivocally
stipulate and agree with the Govern
ment to fully complete and have IN
operation said Cascade division, frou
Ainsworth 10 Tacoma, strictly on or he
fore the 3lst day of December, lSoe
and in default thereof, to forfeit all un
earned lands and all earned lands ther
unsold within the limits of said grant
in addition thereto. and 90 forthwith
paw into the treasury of the Territory
of Washington, or any State then its
successor, the aggregate amount of al
moneys which the said Northern Pacific
Railroad Company may then have re
caived or which may be due 10 IL from
the sale of lands within she limits oi
said grant.
Ali donations Of land by the Genera
Government 10 our Territory should b
reserved for and diverted 10 the com
mon school fund.
We are opposed 10 any change in the
election laws.
We believe that all citizens. of either
sex. who are tax payers. should be al
loved the right of suffrage. but we de
mand that ali female citizens should d
relieved by law from jury duty.
We advocate a revision OF our genera
laws, aud especially In respect TO tn'
law of attachments. which. We main
| tain. should be M lrs liberal IN its appii
| cation TO the citizens of this Territory.
| H h. MooRE.
JAcos RALPH,
+. q. Bacon.
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