People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-06-24
THE ST. LOUIS PLATFORM.

This the frs; great labor conference OF thu
United States and OF the world-representing
all divisions OF urban and rural organized in.
stry-assempled in national congress invok-
ing upon its action the blessing and protec ton
OF Almighty God puts forth, 10 and for the
producers OF this nation, this declaration OF
union and independence:
The conditions which surround US best Justify
our cooperation. We meet in the midst OF a
nation brought 10 the verge OF moral political
and material ruin Corruption dominates the
ballot box, the legislatures, the congre IS, and
touches even the ermine OF the bench The
people are demoralized Many OF the states
have been compelled TO Isolate the voters at
The polling places in order 10 prevent
universal intimidation or bribery. The
newspapers are subsidized or muzzled;
public opinion silenced business pros
trated; our homes covered with mort.
cages; labor impoverished, and the land concen.
trated in the hands Of capitalists The urban
workmen are denied the right Of organization
Tor self protection. imported pauperized labor
beats down their wages: a hireling standing
army unrecognized by our laws, is established
TO shoot them down, and they are rapidly de.
generating TO European conditions. The fruits
OF the toll OF the millions are boldly stolen 10
build up colossal fortunes, unprecedented In the
history OF the world, while the possessors de-
spise the republic and endanger liberty From
the same prolific womb OF governmental Unjust
ice we breed the two great classes-paspers and
millionaires. The national power 10 create
money is appropriated 10 enrich bondhoders:
silver, which has been accepted as coin since
the dawn OF history, has been demonetlzed 10
add 10 the purchasing power OF gold by decreas.
ing the value Of all forms OF property, as well
as human labor; and the supply OF currency il
purposely abridged 10 faiten usurers. bank.
rupt enterprise and enslave industry. A vast
conspiracy against mankind has been or.
ganized on two continents and is taking pos.
session OF the world II not met and over.
thrown at once, IL forebodes terrible social con.
vulsions, the destruction OF civilization or the
establishment OF an absolute despotism In
this crisis OF human affairs the intelligent
working people and producers OF the United
States have come together, In the name OF
peace, order and society, TO defend liberty,
prosperity and justice.
We declare our union and independence. We
assert our purpose 10 vote with that political
organization which represents our principles.
We charge that the controlling influences
dominating the old political parties have al.
lowed the existing dreadful conditions 10 de.
yelop without serious effort TO restrain or pre-
vent them Neither do they now intend
TO accomplish reform They have agreed 10.
gether 10 ignore In the coming cam.
paign every issue but one They pro
pose TO drown the outcries OF plundered peo-
pie with the uproar OF sham battle over the
tarih, so that corporations, national banks,
rings, trusts, "watered stocks" the demoneti
Zation OF silver, and the expressions OF usurers
may all be lost sight Of They propose TO sacr.
nee our homes and children upon the altar OF
mammon-to destroy the hopes OF the multitude
in order to secure corruption funds from the
greatlords Of plumber Weassert that political
organization, representing the political princi-
pies herein stated is necessary 10 redress the
| grievances OF which we complain.
Assembled on the anniversary Of the birth OF
the Industrious man who led the first great re.
volt on this continent against oppression, filed
with the sentiments which actuated that grand
| generation, we seek TO restore the government
OF the republic TO the hands Of the plain peo-
pie with whom IL originated Our doors stand
open TO all points Of the compass. We ask all
honest men 10 join with and help us In order
TO restrain the extortons Of aggregated capital,
to drive the money changers out Of the temple,
ITO form more perfect union, establish Justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general welfare
and secure the blessings Of liberty for ourselves
and our posterity," we do ordain and establish
the following platform Of principles:
First-We declare the union OF the labor
forces Of the United States this day accom-.
plished, permanent and perpetual May Its
spirit enter into all hearts for the salvation OF
the republic and the uplifting Of mankind.
Second-Wealth belongs TO him who creates
IT. Every dollar taken from industry without
an equivalent is robbery. IF any viii not work
neither shall he eat" The interests Of rural
and urban labor are the same; their enemies are
identical
Thlrd-We demand national currency.
safe, sound and flexible, issued by the
general government only, a full legal
tender for all debts, public and private.
and that without the use Of banking cor
porations, just equitable means Of cir
culaiion at tax not TO exceed per cent as set
forth in the subtreasury plan Of the Farmers
Alliance or some better system Also by pay
ments in discharge Of its obligations for public
improvements.
Fourth-We demand that postal savings
banks be established by the government for
the safe deposit Of the earnings OF the people
and to facilitate exchange
Fifth-We demand that the amount OF circu.
lating medium be speedily increased to not less
than $50 per capita
Sixth-We demand the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver
Seventh-We believe that the money OF the
country should be kept as much as possible in
the hands OF the people, and hence we demand
all national and state revenues shall be limited
10 the necessary expenses Of the government
economically and honestly administered
Elghth-We demand graduated income tax.
Ninth-The land including all the natural re-
sources OF wealth, is the heritage OF all the peo
pie, and should not be monopolized for specula-
tive purposes, and alien ownership Of land
should be prohibited All lands now held BY
railroads and other corporations In excess Of
their actual needs. and all lands now owned by
aliens should be reclaimed By the government
and held for actual settlers only
Tenth-Transportation being means OF ex-
change and public necessity, the government
suOu4u o"u anu operate the rdlrOoQs IN the ln-
terest Of the people.
Eleventh-The telegraph and telephone, like
the post Office system, being necessity for the
transmission Of news should be owned and
operated by the government in the interest OF
the people
Resolved That we hail this conference as the
eonsummation Of the perfect union Of hearts
and hands Of all sections Of our common coun-
try: the men who wore the gray and the men
who wore the blue meet here 10 extinguish the
last smouldering embers Of civil war in the
tears Of Joy Of a united and happy people and
we agree to carry the stars and stripes forward
forever TO the highest point OF national great.
ness
ADDITIONAL RESOLUTIONS
We demand that the government issue legal
tender notes and pay the union soldier the diff.
ference between the price Of the deprecated
money in which he was paid and gold.
We demand that the question OF women suf.
frage be submitted TO the state and territorial
legislatures for favorable action
Whereas The present practice Of dealing or