People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-06-23
THE PLATFORM.

We, the representatives Of the Peoples
party Of the state OF Kansas in convention
assembled, do hereby reaffirm our allegiance
90 the principles enunciated in the Omaha
platform, and point to the record Of our rep
sesentativeS in congress as an eyid' nee Of
Of their loyalty to that platform. We me
1t this time under conditions which Sc
every prophecy made at that time fulfilled,
and every indictment which was made there
in against the Republican and Democratic
parties proven.
Our sympathies go out to the unemployed,
homeless and landless people Of the country
Who have been brought to their present con-
aitiOn In great measure through the vic
Ous un-American financial policy Of this gov
eminent; and We hold sacred the declaration
Of independence that all men are created
equal; they are endowed by their Creator
With certain unalienable rights; that among
shese are life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness.
We most heartily commend our present
state officials for their wise and economic
administration Of state affairs, that has
saved TO the taxpayers thousands Of dollars
and the POpulist legislators for their efforts
10 enact into law every demand of the state
platform adopted at Wichita in 1892.
We demand the free coinage Of silver at the
ratio OF l6 to l, and denOunce any party that
Is so completely under the control Of the gold
bugs that it dare not take stand for this
all-impOrtant question, which means sc
much TO the wage-earnerS and producers OF
our country.
We reiterate our opposition to all banks OF
issue whether national or state. and de-
mand the establishment Of postal saving.
banks by the national government for the
protection Of small depOsitOrs, and call at.
tentiOn 10 the widespread distress caused by
the large number Of bank failures during the
past year, whereby thousands of depositOr:
suffered the loss Of all their savings, as evil
dence Of this demand,
We condemn the unwise and cruel policy
Of all the governing parties In this nation
whose legislation has favored capital and Cd.
pressed labor and we hereby declare oul
sympathy with all tOilers in their efforts Il
improve their conditions, and demand sucl
legislation as will result in removing som,
OF the burdens of toll by shortening tn,
hours of labor without lessening their daily
wage.
We demand national and state boards Of
arbitration to settle and adjust the differ
ences between the employers and employees
and we further demand that where the prop
erty Of corporation has been placed in tn,
hands OF receiver, the wages Of the en-
plOyes shall be q first lien on its earning
and effects; and we dsnOunce the appoint
nent Of officials or parties interested as re
eeivers Of any corporation.
We demand service pension, graduated
so that the man who carried the musket shall
be entitled to the same consideration as tn,
nan who wore the epaulet; and said law Il
be so framed that 1t will place 1t forever be
yOnd the power Of any official who Is un
friendly toward the union soldiers and sail
Ors to change, suspend, or in any way de-
prlve the soldier Of his just dues which thi
government owes him for defending with hi.
Gte our country and flag.
We favor a state irrigation department. T.
Investigate methods and water supplies anu
encourage more extended irrigation
We demand freight law based ON the linz
Of the maximum-rate bill passed by the sen.
ate and afterwards defeated by the Repub-
hcan house, and quote, in proof Of the need
OF such law, the plank of the Republican
platform adopted In their state convention
In 1892, which we adopt and make a part OF
this demand, to-wit:
I'VE insist that the great TRANSFORMATION
companies which derive their corporate ex-
Silence from Kansas laws and their financial
existence from Kansas trade and commerce
owe to the people Of Kansas fair, equitable
and honest treatment In the matter Of freight
rates; and We are opposed to the negotiable
and oppressive discrimination In the adjust
ment OF such rates by said corporations
whereby the merchants, shippers and con-
sumers OF other states are enriched at the
expense and to the injury of the people Of
Kansas; and we demand Of the next legisla.
ture the utmost diligence in snacting sppro-
pirate legislation providing therefor, to the
end that the agricultural, mercantile and
other interests Of the state Of Kansas shall
be placed on a footing Of equality so far as
freight rates are concerned with the like In
ierests of the adjoining states"
Believing that all power is invested in the
people and that all laws Of vital Importance
should be initiated and approved or disap-
proved by them, therefore, we indorse the
initiative and referendum system.
WHEREAS, The Peoples party came into
existence and won its glorious victories on
ihe fundamental principles Of equal rights
soall and special privileges to none; there
lore. be it
Resolved, That we favor the pending con-
stitutional amendment, but do not regard il
Asatest Of party fealty.