Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-02-27
THE PLATFORM.

titus Donnelly, from the committee ON
resolutions, reported the following
platform:
This the first great labor conference Of tho
United States and OF the world. representing
nll divisions OF urban and rural organized In.
dustry, assembled in national congress. invok-
ing upon its action the blessing and protection
OF Almighty God, puts forth, 70 and for tho
producers OF the nation, this declaration Of
union and Independence.
The conditions which surround MS hest justify
our cooperation. We meet In the midst OF u ma
ton brought to the verge Of moral political and
material ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot.
| box the legislatures. the congress and
touches even the ermine OF the bench.
The people IRE demoraiized. Many
OF the states have been compelled IN
isolate the voters Mt the polling places. In order
| TO prevent universal intimidation or bribery.
The newspapers are subsidized or muzzled, pub.
lie opinion slenced business Frustrated. our
homes covered with mortgages, labor impov-
erished, and the land concentrating In
the hands OF capitalists. The urban
workmen are denied the right OF organ
ization for self-prOtection Imported pauper.
| ized labor beats down their wages hireling
standing army, unrecognized by our laws, Is es-
tablished 10 shoot them down, ind they nre rap
idly degencrating 10 European conditions The
fruits OF the toll OF millions are boldly stolen
70 build up colossal fortunes, unprecedented IN
| the history OF the world, while their pos
SCISSORS despise the republic and endanger
liberty From tho same prolific womb OF
the governmental injustice we breed the great
classs-paupcrs and millionares. The national
power 10 create money Is appropriated 70 enrich
bondholdcrs; silver. which has been accepted ms
coin since the dawn OF history, has been demone-
| tized 10 add 10 the purchasing power OF gold by
| decreasing the value OF all forms OF property.
| as well as human labor; and the supply
OF currency is purposely abridged to
fstten usurers bankrupt enterprise and
| enslave industry. vast conspiracy
! against mankind has been organized on two
| continents md Is taking possession OF tho
world II not met and overthrown ct once, 10
forebodes terrible social commissions, the de-
struction Of civilization or the establishment OF
an absolute oespotisnL
NEW PARrY NECESSARY
| In this crisis OF human affairs tho intelligent
working people and producers Of tho United
| States have come together, In the name OF
| peace order and society, 10 defend liberty,
prosperity and Justice
| We declare our union and independence. We
| assert our purpose W vote with that political
organization which represents our principles.
| We charge that the controlling influence
dominating the old political parties has
allowed the existing dreadful conditions
| TO develop without serious effort 70 res.
| train or prevent them. Neither do they now in
tend 10 accomplish reform. They have agreed
| together TO ignore in the coming campaign
every issue but one. They propose 70 drown
the outcries OF u puRdered people with the up
roar OF sham battle over the tarin, so that
corporations national banks, rings, trusts,
''watered stocks" the characterization Of silver.
| and the expressions Of usurers may all be lost
! sight Of They propose 10 sacrifice our homes
and children upon the altar OF Mammon-to de-
stroy the hopes uf the multitude In order 10 Sc
cure corruption funds from the great loads OF
plumber
We assert that political organization. rcp-
resenting the political principles herein stated.
is necessary to redress the grievances OF which
we complain.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth or
| the illustrious man who led the first great re-
| volt on this continent against oppression nlled
with the sentiments which actuated that great
| generation we seek 10 restore the government
| Of the republic TO the hands OF the plain peo-
pie" with whom 1t originated Our doors stand
open TO all points OF the compass. We ask all
| honest men TO join with and help us.
In order TO restrain the extortions OF ag-
| cregated capital to drive the money changers
| out OF the temple, ITO form q more perfect
| union establish justice, insure domestic tran
| guilty provide for the common defense pro-
| mole the general welfare and secure the bless
ings OF liberty for ourselves and our posterity'
we do ordain and establish the following plat
form q principles:
Low TARIFF, FREE SILVER, sUD-TREAsURY.
/. We declare the union Of the labor forces
Of the United States, this day accomplished
permanent and perpetual May its spirit enter
into all hearts for the salvation OF the republic
| and the uplifting OF mankind.
i o II.
Every dollar taken from industry without an
equivalent Is robbery. IF any will not work,
neither shall he eat" The interests Of rural
| and urban labor are the same; their enemies
are Identical.
g. We demanda national currency, safe, sound
and flexible, issued by the general government
only, full legal tender for all debts, public and
private, and that without the use OF banking
corporations: Just, equitable means OF circu-
| lntion nc u tax not 10 exceed per cent. as set
| forth In the ubtreasury plank Of the farmers
alliance, or some better system.
4 We demand free and unlimited coinage OF
silver.
We demand that the amount OF circulating
medium be speedily increased 70 not less than
$50 per capita.
q We demand graduated income tax.
7. We believe that the money OF the country
| should be kept rs much rs possible In the hands
| OF the people. and hence VIC demand that all
national and state revenues shall be limited TO
The necessary expenses OF the government eco
nomicaly and honestly administered.
g. We demand that postal savings banks %
established by the governments for the sale a.
| posIt OF the earnings Of the people ana 70 tacih'
| tate exchange.
o. Your subcommittee upon land plank beg
10 submit 70 your approval the following; Tho
land. including all the natural resources OF
wealth. Is the heritage OF all the people and
should not be mOnopOlized for speculative pur-
poses and alien ownership OF land shonld be
prohibited All lands now held by railroads
and other corporations In excess or their actual
| needs and all lands nov owned by aliens should
be reclaimed by the government and held lor
actual settlers only.
IN TRANSFORMATION being means OF exchange
| and a prbltc necessity, the government Should
| own and operate the railroads In the Interest OF