The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-07-16

In other words. of the p~eople-should be ex-
banded, las in the case OF the postal servicsl rs
rapidly and as far as the good sense Of an in
t~elligent people and the teachings of experience
will justify, to the end that oppression. injustice
and poverty shall eventually cease in the land.
While our sympathies as a party of reform are
naturally upon the side Of every proposition
which will tend to make men intelligent. vir-
tuous and temperate, We nevertheless regard
these questions-important as they areas
secondary to the great issues now
pressing for solution. AMI upon which
not only our individual prosperity
hut the very existence of free institutions de-
pend; and we ask all men to first help us to
determine whether we are to have a republic to
administer. before we differ as to the condi-
tons upon which it is to b, aimini stsroi. Be
lieving that the forces of reform this day or
ganiZed will never cease to move forward until
every wrong is remedied, and equal rights and
equal privileges are securely established for all
the men and women of this country; we de-
clare therefore.
First. That the union Of the labor forcas Of
the United States this day consummatel shall
be permanent and perpetual; may its spirit
enter into all hearts for the salvation of the re-
public and the uplifting of mankini.
Second. Wealth belongs to him who creates
it. and every dollar taken from indus,r: with
out an equivalent is robbery. IF any will not
WOTk Ueltnef SnAll No eat lue lhttreSIs u
rural and civic labor arc the same; their enc
mics are identical.
ThirJ. We believe that the time has como
when the railroad corporations will either own
the people or the people must own the rail
roads, and should the government enter upon
the work of owning aud managing any or all
railroads. We should favor an amendment to
the constitution by which all persons engaged
in the government service shall be placed IN
L.. -.-.I ----s-. a. - -.-.l
charAc' er so as to prevent the increase Of the
rover OF the national administration by the
us, of such additional government employees
We demand a national currency, safe. sound
and flexible. issued by the general government
only; a Legal ten Ter for all debts. public AMI
private. without tho US, Of banking corpora
tons: 4 Just. equitable AID eff cient means of
distribution direct TO thu people, at n tax not
to exceed . per cent. per annuIn, to b. provided
as set forth in thu subtrea-ury plan Of tho
Farmers Alliance or some better system; also
by payments in discharge OF its obligations for
improvements
We demand the free and unlimited coinage
Of silver and gold at the present legal ratio Of
l6 to l.
We demand that the amount OF the circuls-
ting medium be speedily increased to not less
than So per capita.
We demand a graduated Income tax.
We believe that the money. Of the country
should lie kept as much as possible in the
hands OF the people. and hence we demand that
all national AM state revenEeS shall he limital
to the nee ,sslry expenses Of the government,
economically and honestly administered
We demand that postal savings banks he es
tahlishsd by the government for the safe de-
post Of the earnings OF the people and to IA
cilitate exchange.
Transportation being a means of exchange
and a public necessity. tine government should
own and operate the railroads In the interest
Of the people.
The telegraph and telephone. like tho post
Office system, being a nee .ssity for the trans
mission of news, should be owned AMI operated
by the government in the interest of the
people.
The land. including all the natural sources Of
wealth. ia tn, heritage OF all tn. people aad
should not be moaopolizsl for speculative pur-
poses; ami alien ownership Of land should h,
prohibited. All lands now held by railroads
and othpr corporations in excess o. their
actual needs and all lands now owned by alloI'
should be reclaimsi by tine sD"ern:n n: ami
held for actual settlers only.
After submitting the foregoing the
committee on resolutions held another
meeting and unanimously agreed to re-
port the following to the convention at
the night session:
WHEREAS. Other questions have been pre-
sentcd for our consideration, We hereby sub
init the following, not rs n part OF thu plat
form of the peoples party. but as resolutions
expressive Of the sentiment Of this conyea-
ton.
!. Rcsolrcd. That We demand a free ballot
and a fair count in all elections, and pledge
ourselves to secure it to every legal voter with
ont federal intervention through the adoption
by the states of the unpervertrd Australian OF
secret ballot system.
9. ResOIred, That tn revenue derived from a
graduated income tax should Ia applied to the
reduction of the burden of taxation now rest-
ing upon the domestic industries Of this cDun-
try
4. Resolred. That We pledge our support to
fair and liberal pensions to eI- union soldiers
and sailors.
4. Resolred. That We condemn tho fallacy Of
protecting Am rican labor undcr tho pres mt
syste,n. which opens our ports to the pau0'r
and criminal classes of the world. AMI crowds
ont our wage earners: AMI we denouncc the
present insfsctiys laws against contract labor.
and demand the further restriction of undesir-
allie immigration
5 Rcsorrod. That we cordially synpathize
with tho efforts Of organized workm>n 20
shorten the hours Of labor. and demand n rigid
enforcement Of the existing eight-hour law IN
government work. and ask that a penalty
clause be added to the said law.
6 Bcsolred. That w regard the maintenance
Of a large standing army of morcanarics, known
as the Pinkerton system, as a menace to our
liberties. and We demand IT'S abolition; AMI we
condemn the recent invasion of tho territory
Of Wyoming by the hirel assassins of plu-
tocracy. assisted by federal officials.
!. RcsoIred. That We commend to the favor
able consideration Of the people and the reform
press the legislative system known as the mi
tiative and referendum.
2. Rcsolrrd. That VIC favor a constitutional
provision limiting the office Of president and
vice president to one term. and providing for
the election Of senators If the United States By
n direct vote Of the people.
Q. Rosoired. That we oppose any subsidy OF
national aid to any private corporation for any
purpose.
The resolutions were adopted after n
short session.