People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-03
STATE PLATFORM.

We, the representatives of the Peoples
party Of the state of Kansas in convention
assembled, do hereby reaffirm our allegiance
TO the principles enunciated in the Omaha
platform, and point to the record of our rep
resentatlves in congress as an evidence Of
Of their loyalty to that platform. We meet
at this time under conditions which see
every prophecy made at that time fulfilled
and every indictment which was made there.
in against the Republican and Democratic
parties proven.
Our sympathies 90 out to the unemployed,
homeless and landlesS people Of the country
who have been brought to their present con-
ditiOn in great measure through the VIC
iOus 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
these 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
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 IL TO |, and denOunCe any party that
is so ccnl letely under the control Of the gold
bugs that 1t dare not take stand for this
all-impOrtant question, which means 50
much to the wage-carners and prOducersof
our cOu try.
We reiterate our opposition to all banks Of
issue whether national or state. and de-
mand the establishment Uf postal savings
banks by the national government for the
protection Of small depOsitOrs, and call at
tentiOn to the widespread distress caused by
the large number Of bank failures during the
past year, whereby thousands Of depOSitOrs
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 Op-
pressed labor and We hereby declare our
sympathy with all tOilers in their efforts to
improve their conditions. and demand such
legislation as will result In removing some
OF the burdens Of toll by shortening the
hours OF labor without lessening their daily
wage.
We demand national and state boards Of
arbitration to settle anc adjust the differ
ences between the employers and employees;
and we further demand that where the prop
erty OF corporation has been placed in the
hands OF receiver. the wages Of the en-
ployeS shall be a first lien on its earnings
ana effects; and we denounce the appoint
ment Of officials or parties interested as re-
celyers OF any corporation.
we demand service pension. graduated
so that the man who carried the musket shall
DC entitled to the same consideration as the
man who wore the epaulet; and said law to
be so framed that II will place it forever be
yond the power OF any official who Is I'M
friendly toward the union soldiers and sail
OrS 10 Change, suspend, or In any way de-
prive the soldier Of his just dues which this
government owes him for defending with his
lie our country and flag,
We favor state irrigation department, to
investigate methods and water supplies and
encourage more eXtendC d irrigation.
We demand freight law based on the line
ate and afterwards defeated by the Repub-
ncan house, and quote, in proof Of the need
OF such law, the plank Of the Republican
platform adopted In their state convention
In 1872, which We adopt and make a part of
this demand, tO-wit:
We insist that the great transportation
companies which derive their corporate ex-
lstence 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 after Of freight
rates; and We are opposed to the inequitable
ana 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 enacting appro-
pirate legislation providing therefor. to the
end that the agricultural. mercantile and
other interests OF the state Of Kansas shall
be placed on footing Of equality so far as
freight rates are concerned with the like in
terests OF the adjoining states
Believing that all power Is invested I'm the
people and that all laws OF vital importance
should be initiated and approved or disap-
proved by them, therefore. we indorse the
initiative ana referendum system.
WHEREAS The Peoples party came into
existence and won its glorious victories on
the fundamental principles OF equal rights
to all and special privileges u none; there
fore, be il
Resolved, That We favor the pending con-
stitutional amendment. hut do hot regard il
as test Of party fealty.