Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1894-10-24
PoPuLlsT STATE PLATFORM

FOFULiS SlAIE PLATFORM.
We, the representatives of the peoples party
OF Kansas. in convention assembled, do here
by reaffrm our allegiance to the principles
enunciated in the Omaha platform and point
to the record Of our representatives in con-
gress as an evidence of their loyalty in that
platform. We meet this time under conditions
which see every prophecy then made fulfilled
and every indictment which was made therein
against republicans and democratic parties
proven.
Our sympathies go ont to the unemployed,
homeless and IandIess people of the country
Who have been brought to their present con-
dltion in great measure through the vicious
un-American financial policy of this govern
ment; and we hold sacred the declaration of
independence thar all men are created equal,
they are endowed by their Creator with GER
tain inalienable rights, that among these are
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We most heartily commend our present state
officers for their wise and economic admins
tration of state affairs, that has saved to the
tax payers thousands of dollars, and the popu-
listic Legislators for their efforts to 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 16 to l, and denounce any party that
is so completely under the control of the gold
bugs that it dare not take stand for the
people on this all important question, which
means so much to the wage-earners and pro-
ducers of our country.
The comptroller's report for 1898 shows that
during the year 1913 national banks suspended,
leaving financial ruin In their wake; we again
reiterate our condemnation of this, the So
called best banking system the world has ever
known, and demand in its stead banks of de-
post under the control of the depositors and
the deposits guaranteed by this government.
That we are unalterably opposed to issues of
government Understanding bonds, and de-
mand instead the issue of full legal tender
treasury notes and the payment of the same
together with silver money, to meet the needs
of the government.
We condemn the unwise and cruel policy of
all the government parties in this nation whose
legislation has favored capital and oppressed
labor, and we hereby declare our sympathy
with all toilers in their efforts to improve their
condition. and demand such legislation as will
remove some of the burdens of toll by ehort-
ening the hours OF labor without lessening
their daily wage.
We demand national and state boards of
arbitration to settle and adjust differences be-
tween the employers and employees; and we
further demand that where the property of a
corporation has been placed in the hands of
receiver, the wages of the employees shall be
a first lien on its earnings and effects; and we
denounce the appointment of officials or par
ties interested as receivers of any corporation
We demand service pension graduated so
the man who carried the musket shall be enti-
tied to the same consideration as the man who
wore the epaulette, and said to be so framed
that it will place forever beyond the power of
any official who is unfriendly toward the I'm
Ion soldiers and sailors to change suspend, or
In any way deprive the soldier of his just dues,
which this government owes him for defend
ing with his life our country and flag.
We favor state irrigation department to
investigate methods and water supplies and
encourage more extended irrigation.
We demand freight rate law based on the
line of the maximum freight rate bill passed
by the senate and afterwards defeated by the
republican house, and quote in proof of the
need of such law the plank OF the republican
platform adopted at their state con IGNITION in
1892, which we adopt and make part of this
demand. towit: 1--WE Insist that the great
transportation companies which derive their
corporate existence from Kansas laws, and
Lnelr financial existence from Kansas trad
and ommerce, owe to the people of Kansas
fair. equitable and honest treatment in the
matter of freight rates. and VIC are opposed TO
the inequitable and oppressive discrimination
in the adjustment of such rates by said com.
panies whereby the merchants, shippers and
consumers of other states are enriched at the
expense and to the injury of the people of
Kansas, and we demand of the ne x legislature
the utmost diligence in enacting appropriate
legislation providing therefor to the end that
agricultural, mercantile and other interests of
Kansas shall be placed on a footing of eoality,
far as freight rates are concerned. with the
Ike interests in adjoining states.'
Believing all power is vested in the people
and that all laws of vital importance should be
iniated and approved or disapproved by them
Therefore we indorse the iniative and referen-
dunn system.
Whereas, The Peoples party came into ex-
lstence and won its glorious victories on the
fundamental principles of equal rights to all
and special privileges to none; therefore, be it
Resolved. That we favor the pending con-
stitutiOnal amendment.