Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-07-05
Populist Platform

Following is the platform adopted
by the peoples party convention at
Topeka, June 10,
We, the representatives of the peoples party
of Kansas, in convention assembled, do hereby
re'ailrm our allegiance to the principles enun
ciated in the Omaha platform and point to the re-.
cord OF our representatives In congress as an evil
dence of their loyalty in that platform We meet
at this time under conditions which see every
prophecy then made fulfilled and every indlct.
ment which was made therein against the repub.
lican and democratic parties proven.
Our sympathies go out TO the unemployed,
homeless and andless people Of the country who
have been brought their present condition in
great measure through the vicious, un-Amercan
financial policy of this government; and we hold
sacred the declaration OF independence that all
men are created equal, they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienabe rights, that among
these ure life, liberty and pursuit Of happiness
We most heartily commend our present state
officials for their wise and economic administra.
ton Of state affairs that has saved to the taxpay-
ers thousands of dollars, and the Populistic legis.
lators for their efforts to enact into law every de
mand of the state platform adopted ut Wichita In
1892.
We demand the free coinage of silver at the
ratio Of IL to j. and denounCe any party that IL 20
completely under the control Of the goldbugs that
II dare not take stand for the people on this all
important question, which means so much to the
wage earners and producers Of our country.
The comptroller's report for 1893 shows that
during the year 1863 national banks suspended
leaving financial ruin in their wake VIC again re-
iterate our condemnation Of this, the so-called
best banking system the world has eyer known,
and demand in lts stead banks of deposit under
the control of the depositors and 1.-THE deposits
guaranteed by this government.
That we are unalterably opposed to issues Of
government interest bearing bonds, and demand
instead that the issue Of full legal tender treasury
notes and the payment of the same, together
with silver money, to meet the needs of the gov
eminent.
FOR LABoRERs AND FOR VETERANS.
We condemn the unwlse and cruel policy of all
the government parties in this nation whose leg
islation has favored capital and oppressed labor,
and we hereby declare our sympathy with all toll
ers in their efforts to improve their condition, and
demand such legislation as will remove some of
the burdens of toll by shortening the hours of
labor without lessening their daily wages.
We demand national and state arbitration
to settle and adjust differences between
the employers and employees; and we further de-
mand that where the property Of corporation has
been placed in the hands of receiver the wages
of the employees shall be first lien on its earn
ngs and effects; and we denounCe the appoint
ment of officials or parties interested as receivers
Of any corporation.
We demand service pension graduated so the
man who carried the musket shall be entitled TO
the same consideration as the man who wore the
epauett, and said law TO be 80 framed that II will
place forever beyond the power Of any official who
IL unfriendly toward the Union soldiers and sail
org to change, suspend, or in any way deprive the
soldier of his just dues, which this government
owes him for defending with his life our country
and flag
We favor a state irrigation department to in.
vestigate methods and water supplies and encour-
age more extended irrigation.
We demand freight rate law based on the line
of the maximum freight rate bill passed by the
senate and afterward 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 convention In 1885, which we adopt and
make u part OF this demand, to witt I'VE insist
that the great transportation companies which de.
rive their corporate existence from Kansas laws,
and their financial existence from Kansas trade
and commerce, owe to the people Of Kansas fair.
equitable ana honest treatment In the matter of
freight rates, and we are opposed to the ineQtit-
able and oppressive discrimination In the adjust
ment Of such rates by said companies whereby
the merchants, shippers and consumers Of other
states are enriched at the expense and to the In.
jury OF the people OF Kansas, and we demand Of
the next Legislature the utmost diligence In en-
acting appropriate legislation providing therefor
to the eud that agricultural, mercantile and other
Interests OF Kansas shall be placed on a footing
OF quality 80 far as freight rates are concerned,
with the like interests in adjoining states"
Believing all power is vested In the people and
that all laws of vital importance should be initial
ed aud approved Oh disdpprOved by them, There
lOre,We lndorSe the initiative and referendum sys-
TEN.
THE EXTRA SUFFRAGE PLANK
The suffrage plank favored by the minority is
as follows
We, the undersigned members OF your commit
tee on resolutions respectfully submit the follow.
ing minority report, and recommend its full adop-
EOn
Whereas. the peoples party came into existence
and won its glorious victories on the fundamen-
tai principles OF EQUAL rights to all and special
privileges to nOne therefore, be 1t
RESOLVED, That We favor the pending constitu-
tional amendment. but we do not regard this as
test Of party feLlty.