The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-09-14
SOUND ON THE TARIFF.
The Declaration by the Farmers
and LabOrers' Union of
Missouri.

There have been some errors In the
published reports of the demands made
by the convention of the Farmers and
Laborers' Union of Missouri, held at
Springfield last week. We publish the
declaration of that body in full as
follows:
l. That the public land, the heritage
of the people, Ue reserved for actual
settlers only-not another acre to rail
roads or specul8tOrs, and that all lands
now held for speculative purposes shall
be taxed at their full value.
2. That measures be taken to prevent
aliens from acquiring titles to lands in
the United States aud Territories of
America, and to force titles already
acquired BY aliens to be reiinquisned to
the national government by purchase
and retain said right of eminent do
MAN tor the use of actual settlers and
citizens of the national states, and that
the law be -igidly enforced against all
railroad corporations which have not
complied with the terms of their con-
tracts by which they have received
large grants of land.
3. That we demand the rapid pay
ment of the public debt OF the United
States by operating the mints OF the
government to their full capacity in
coming silver and gold, and the tender
ing the same without discrimination to
the public creditors of the nation ac-
cording to contract, thus saving the
interest on the public debt to the indus
trial masses.
4. That we demand the abolition OF
national banks, the substitution of
legal-tender treasury notes in lieu OF
national bank notes, issued in sufficient
volume to do the BUSINESS of the coun-
try on cash system; regulating the
amount needed OH a per capita basis as
the business interests of the country
expands, and that all money issued by
the government shall be legal-tender
in payment OF all debts, both public
and private.
5. That we demand that congress
shall pass such laws as shall effectually
prevent the dealing in futures OF all
agricultural and mechanical produc-
tions, preserving stringent system OF
procedure in trial as shall secure
prompt conviction, and imposing such
penalties as shall secure the most per-
|
6. That we demand a graduated in
come tax, as we believe il the most
equitable system of taxation, placing
the burden of government on those
who can best afford to pay, instead OF
| laying it OIL the farmers and mechanics,
exempting millionaires, bond.holders
and corporations.
7. That we demand the strict en-
torcement OF all laws prohibiting the
importation of foreign labor under the
contract system, and that all convicts
be confined within the prison walls
and that all contract systems be
abolished.
8. That we demand that all means o.
public communication and Transports
ton shall be owned and controlled by
the people, and equitable rates every
where be established, on the sam'
basis as is the United States posta
system.
9. That we demand the election o.
all officers OF the national government
by direct vote of the people, and tina
, all willful violations of the election
laws be declared felony, and par
of the punishment be the prohibition O
the party convicted from voting in al
future elections.
10. That we demand the repeal O
all laws that do not bear equally upo
capital aud labor, the strict enforce
ment of all laws, the removal of al
9 unjust technicallties, delays and dis
ordinations in the administration @
justice.
IL. We demand such a revision @
the tariff as will lay the heaviest bur
D dens on the luxuries and the lightes
S on the necessaries of life, and as wi
reduce the incomes from imports to
! strictly revenue basis.
| 12 That we demand that the GOV
ernment shall protect the Chickasaw
and Choctaws and other civilized In
dians of the Indian Territory in all G
: their lnslienable rights, and shall pre-
e vent railroads and other wealthy syn
dicates from overriding the law an
treaties now in existence tor their prt
lection.
13. That we are unqualifiedly
= favor of the education of the masse
. by a we'll regulated system of fire
= schools.
IA. That we demand that no patent
- shall be renewed after the expiratio
- of time for which they were original
patented.
y Is. Resolved, That this body wi
: not support any man for congress,
s any political party, who will not pleds
:, himself in writing to use his infiuent
;. for the formation of these demands
u laws.