The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-01-19
PEOPLES PLATFORM.
The Document Adopted By The
Convention.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Pledges Made-Pr0mises That Will
Be Fulfilled.

After long and careful discussion the
Peoples municipal convention adopted
the following platform. 1t speaks for
itself:
The Peoples party of Salt Lake city, in
convention assembled, present the follow
tng
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES;
The basis of free government is the right
of the people to gcVecn themselves.
The object of the Federal constitution is
to secure a free gcVernment to the people
of the United States, wherein all persons
shall be protected IN life, liberty and prop
erty and in the enjoyment of every right
essential to their happiness and mot incon-
sistent with the rights Of others.
We regard the Constitution as sacred
charter of human liberty; we revere its
principles and declare our unvvavering al
legianoe TO the government and laws made
in pursuance of its provisions,
The Peoples party has always upheld
these principles. 1t has maintained the
right of local self government. 1t has con-
tended for the freedom and purity of cleo
ticns. 1t has opposed class legislation. 1t
has promoted honesty in all branches of the
public service. 1t has maintained equality
before the law. 1t has been characterized
10y justice, prudence and fidelity. Taxa
ton has been uniform and lower in Utah
than in any other territory. There have
been NO eXtrRvagant salaries, no jobbery
ao schemes for great bonded debts. Life
and property have been secure, morality
has been fostered and vice depressed. 1t
is the party of conservative progress. COM
mensurate with public necessities and re
sources.
Opposed TO the Peoples party is the self
styled Liberal party, which processes to
wenerate the constitution while violatingits
fundamental truths. 1t arrogates to its
members the honored name of Americans
while seeking to deprive large class of
American citizens of the substantial rights
of freemen. Through its persistent mis-
representation the right of trial by jury has
been abridged and almost destroyed in TINS
territory. BY procuring unrepublican test
,oaths and other proscriptive legislation 1T
has ,disfranchised many citizens, because
they would not support its men and meas
ures. Forsthis cause only, it has succeeded
in robbing the women of Utah of the cleo
tive franchise after they had exercised it for
fifteen years. 1t has endeavored TO sup
plant legislature elected by the people
with commission appointed by the
Federal government 1t mas sought to
erect an inssperable barrier of prejudice
against the admission of Utah as state.
1t seeks to extend to this territory the in
lN,- h. III T1D1,
thousands of law-abiding citizens are
stripped Of every political right, solely be
cause of their membership in an unpopular
religious organization. 1t avows, through
its organs, its intention to procure such
Congressional legislation as will debar ali
persons who belong to that religious body
from acquiring title to any part Of the
public domain. 1t is therefore destructive
of popular liberty and unworthy of thesup
port of any just, liberal and patriotic
citizen
We believe that the supremacy of the
Liberal party means class disfranchise-
ment, excessive taxation, official extra
vagance, and laxity in public social regula-
rtions, and that the supremacy of the
Peoples party means equality before the
law, reasonable taxes, official honesty and
prudence, and the maintenance of the
proud reputation of the city for law and
order.
That the progress and improvements de
manded blythe growth of the city may be
secured, we declare that:
WATER.
There must be a plentiful supply and
fair distribution of water for all needful
purposes, lei the cost be what il may. This
IS absolutely indispensable to the health
and happiness of the people and the beauty
and prosperity Of the city. The water
mains should be extended as soon as posi-
Ole to every part of the city.
STREET LIGHTING.
= We favor the speedy extension
of street lighnng by gas or electricity to al
Inhabited parts OF the city.
SANITATION
q We favor thorough system OF
sani1ation-sewers for the business and
thiekly peopled portions of the city, deodor
ization and removal of focal and all kinds
of waste matter from other parts, under
the supervision of efficient officers.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
= The grades and lines of al
streets, water bitches and sidewalks should
be permanently established; the corners of
blocks and grades of streets indicated by
suitable corner stones, and ali improve
ments made to conform thereto.
The streets and sidewalks should be per
maDeutly graded aud improved, with good
material as fast as possible upon an
equitable d definite plan, and all bridges
and culYerts should be the full width oil
the streets and sidewalks.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
3 : We favor the erection of public
buildings adequate for present and APP
preaching requirements. But in order
that the taxes may not be increased fol
this purpose, and that the ordinary city
city revenues may be used for water and
other pressing requirements, the city sur
plus lands not dedicated to public use
should be sold as provided by law, and the
funds appropriated for public buildings in
common with other improvements.
LETTING OF CONTRACTS.
6-Public work should be Let by contract
to the lowest responsible bidder.
RAILROADS.
Good railroad facilities are ne
cessary to the growth and development Of
the city and the convenience of its inhabi
tants But rights of way for steam rail
roads through our streets should only be
granted where absolutely necessary, and