The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-08-08
The Platform Of the Independent
Party.

The Platform Of the Independent
Party.
The Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Unions of the State of Minneso-
ia, in convention assembled. hereby
ordain and establish the following
declaration of principles:
First-We demand that the "war
tariff" which has too long survived
the object of it's creation, shall be
radically revised, giving very ma
terial reduction on the necessaries OF
life, and placing raw material upon
the free list to the end that we may
compete with the world for a mar
ket and that such luxuries as whisky
and tobacco shall in no manner be
relieved from internal taxation till
the high protective tariff has been
wholly Invested of it's extortions !;
and we especially denounce the Nc
Kinley bill as the browning infamy
Of protection.
Second-We demand governmental
control of railways, both by state
and nation, to the end that all dis
elimination shall be abolished; ;
that watered stock shall not receive
the rewards of honest capital, and
that the pooling OF rates is such an ele-
ment OF monopoly as should be alb
solutely prohibited. We anticipate
the ultimate ownership OF railroads
as the solution OF the question.
Third-As producers we de-
mand free and open markets for our
grain, and that the railways shall
receive and ship grain, as they re-
ceive and ship other commodities,
for the owner to destination. That
the grading of wheat at country sta
tions be abolished; that the right to
establish side tracks, to connect
grain warehouses, and the equal use
Of cars, shall in no manner be
abridged.
Fourth-That in the adjustment OF
a schedule of rates for this state we
believe the railroad commissioners
should be guided mainly by the
schedule of rates now in force in
Iowa. But if the Interstate railways
leading into Chicago shall make less
rate than the Iowa rates, we demand
that the rates to Duluth shall be no
greater per ton per mile than the
rate per ton per mile to Chicago /;
reasonable terminal and transfer
charges being added to the mileage
charges as provided for by the free
dom of traffic law now on our
statutes.
Fifth-That we demand the main
tenance of the present freedom OF
traffic law, the present grain laws
and the law for the distribution of
cars, and the erection by the state Of
public warehouses, where the pro-
ducer shall store his grain unmixed
in special bin at actual cost at Du-
luth and at the agricultural fair
grounds.
Sixth-That we hold the mortgage
Indebtedness should be deducted
from the tax upon reality, whether
such mortgage is held at home or
abroad; and we seek such laws as
will make the hidden property pay
equal taxes with the visible prop
erty. .
Seventh-That we favor material
reduction OF interest on money, and
demand that severe penalties be at
tached to the practice OF usury.
Eighth-That we favor an increase
in the volume OF money equal to the
requirements of an ever increasing
trade and business, without the in
tervention OF banks, which shall be
made full legal tender, and we de-
mand the free coinage of silver.
Ninth-That our public lands, the
sacred heritage of the people, shall
be reserved in small quantities, with
out cost to actual settlers only, and
we favor laws for the protection of
our forests.
Tenth-We are opposed to the Civ
ing away of valuable franchises by
the state and municipalities.
Eleventh-That we are in favor of
the improvement OF our great water
ways, SO that our produce may go in
unbrOken bulk to the markets of the
world.
Twelfth-That we ask the legisla-
ture to establish the Australian sys-
tenn OF voting for the whole state.
Thirteenth-That all public Offices
which directly affect the interests of
the people should be made elective,
and for this reason we hold that
United States senator's and railroad
commissioners should be made cleo
tive by popular vote.
Fourteenth-We demand the pro-
hibition OF the employment OF chill
dren under fifteen years Of age IN the
mills, factories and workshops of the
country; and we also favor the
adoption OF a factory and mine in
spection law and an employers liza
bility act; and We favor the publish
ing OF free text books.