The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-09-05
A BAD MISTAKE,

The Peoples party of Hennepin
county, by placing in nomination COM
plete county and city tickets from
members of it's own party, has placed
itself on record in favor of partisan
local elections. This, the REPREsEN-
TATIVE does not hesitate to say, is a
grave error. That time will so demon
strate the REPRESENTATIVE conf
dent. The platform, which, by the
way, is an excellent one, gives the lie
to the action of the convention. for it
wholly ignores state and national is
sues and confines itself to those re-
lating to municipal reform. That the
party will yet see the error which it
has made and rectify it the REPRE-
SENTATIVE cannot doubt. Following
is the platform:
THE PLATFORM.
The platform as adopted is as follows:
The Peoples Party in the city of Mime
apolis in convention assembled, believing
that the government of our great cities
present one of the great problems of our
civilization, and that municipal campaigns
should he based upon municipal issues
makes the following declara tions as en-
bodyins it's idea of the pressing demand of
municipal reform.
First-The laws of the state and the or
dinances of the city should be rigidly and
impartially enforced.
Second--The city should possess TO the
fullest extent its autonomy and it's cleo
tons should be changed from autumn TO
spring.
Third-That the people may be complete
ly represented, proportional representation
should be adopted.
FOurth--Municipal ownership and onera
ton under the civil service of the CITY of
the railway, telephone. gas and electric
plants. is the only just method to all the
people.
fifth-The employment of the best class
or men in all the departments of the city's
service should be demanded and work of
any kind should be rewarded according to
us value, irrespective of when it is per-
formed and by whom it is done; and that
eight hours should constitute days labor.
SlXth-That the city business be admins
tered in business like and economical
manner. so that the people may not be
taxed for the benefit of politicians and
middle men,
Heventh-That the salary of the city Of
1lters be reduced to an equality with the
salaries paid FOR equal services in private
enterprises.
Eighth-That all municipal work be done
by labor hired direct by the city. without
the intervention of contractors and middle
men. and that employees be paid each week.
Nlnth-We advocate the system of local
option in the levy of taxes, and demand
That taxes be paid semi-annually; and we
demand a more equitable assessment of the
city property, and that the city assessor be
elected by direct vote
Tenth-We declare against the proposed
litter system, to cost over million dollars,
and recommended by City Engineer Cap
pelen. and believe that the city can be
amply provided with pure spring water
from series of artesian wells, and believe
that no great Indebtedness for new water
system or any other proposed improvement
should be saddled upon the city of Mime
apolis, until the people have had an op-
portunity to vote upon the question
Eleventh-We deprecate the influence of
the saloon in politics and condemn the at
tempt of the liquor interests to foist men
of their choosing into the city council.
Twelfth-We believe in the principle that
a man should be presumed innocent until