The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1894-10-16

The following platform was adopted by the
Peoples Party convention convened In Boise
CITY, August l, 1891
The Peoples party of the State OF Idaho In
convention assembled hereby adopts the fol-
lowing resolutions as expressive OF its convic-
lions:
First--We endorse the national platform OF
the Peoples party, adopted at Omaha July 4,
second-rhe Peoples party is a party OF law
and order. Its missi is to restore as far as
law can affect It, equality of opportunity In the
race for life. 1t beheves la the sentiment ex-
pressed In the Declaration OF Independence
that "all men are by nature created equal and
endowed by their Creator with certain inalien-
able rights among which are life. liberty and
pursuit of happiness" 1t declares that human
rights are more precious than vested wrongs,
and that all pubic wrongs shall be made to
yield TO the demands of equal justice express
ed through the peaceabie and orderly use of
the ballot. We know that through the ballot
only can the people become powerful. We
therefore condemn all acts OF lawlessness or
violence by whomsoever committed and pledge
ourselves TO the people OF the state that Ii they
shall entrust us with the reins OF state govern
ment we will see to It that pubic order Is pre-
served and peace and tranquility assured to
the people.
Third--we declare that the enforcement OF
law, no matter how important Ii may be, is
only the beginning, not the end OF good govern
ment, We believe that the true statesmanship
lies In making good laws far more than In en-
forcing bad ones. We therefore, demand such
legislation, both state and national, as will
crush all monopones and relieve the people
from all unjust discrimination by law.
Fourth-Realigngt that the financial question
is one OF prominent importance to our people,
we reiterate our demands for the free and un-
limited coinage OF silver and gold at the pres
emit legal ratio of 10 to L.
Fiftn--That the future welfare OF our state
depends very largely upon It's legislation on the
subject OF the appropriation anu use OF water
for purposes OF Irrigation we therefore, pledge
the Peoples party TO the passage, at the carr
lest opportunity OF a law protecting the people
against unreasonable charges for the use of
water and also creating water districts In the
arid regions of the state, and comforting upon
such districts the power to construct bitches
and canals for irrigating purposes; and also
providing Tor the condemnation and purchase
by such districts of existing bitches Id canals
constructed for the SAFE, rental or distribution
OF water for agricultural uses That sucn law
should authorize, under proper safeguards,
such water districts TO issue bonds to construct
or purchase such bitches or canals, which
bonds shall be charge upon districts only.
That the charges for the use OF water should
be no higher that sufficient to pay for the cost
of maintenance and repair OF such bitches and
canals, and create shaking fund to pay the ia
terest on such bonds are paid, the use OF water
should be free, except the necessary charge
for the maintenance and repair OF sucn bitches,
or canals.
Sixth-We denounce the effort now being
made by the Northern Pacific railroad company
10 force upon Its employees contracts In the
form OF oaths and containing provisions which,
II submitted TO- would In the end reduce such
employees to the condition OF Industrial slaves
we therefore, demand state legislation that
will not only declare all such contracts nun ana
VOID Dut also inftct upol the officers and agents
OF any corporation soliciting, demanding or
enforcing such contracts in Iuaho such punish
ment as WIN enectuaiiy teach them that neith-
er cnattel nor Industrial slavery will be toler-
ated in this state. We further denounee the
practice OF mining corporations and companies
IN running or being interested In stores and
boarding houses, either by themselves directly
or through their officers and SUPERINTENDENT
and making IL obligatory upon their employees
70 trade and deal In their stores or board In
their boarding houses, and we demand such
legislation as win effectually prevent such
practices.
Seventh-We demand state legislation by
which the Offices OF state mining inspector and
state boiler inspector shall be filled by persons
elected by the qualified voters of the state in
stead OF, as now, appointed by the governor
Eighth-We denounce the Practice by per-
sons and corporations of black listing laborers
on account OF their connection with organized
labor. We demand such state legislation on
this subject as will make such practice a fell
ony, and In case of q corporation. the infiction
81 the additional penalty OF the surrender of
Ninth-We demand a law prohibiting the en-
try OF deficiency judgment OF mortgages on real
property and that the time for reueeming such
property from forced sales under foreclosure
or execution be extended from six months to
Tenth-we are opposed to the further sale OF
tne school lands OF the state and demand that
IN neu OF such sales, such lands shall be leased
TO actual occupants and thereby create q per-
petual school fund without danger from loss
Eleventh--In view OF the criminal conduct OF
potn OLD parties In granting to corporations o
monopoly of the peoples money by which the
property of the Industrial classes Is being
rapidly absorbed by the usurers, we favor such
an extension or the exemption law of the state
as Will save the homes of the people and assure
TO our wives and children reasonable provis.
ION against poverty, We pledge our legislators
10 revise the homestead law so that all actua
homesteads will be exempt from forced sale or
execution without the necessity OF declara.
tion.
Twelfth we favor ,ha s,,hn.t.., =. -,
people constitutional amendment conferrina
upon the legislature the power to fix salaries
OF county onieers at any figure between the
maximum and minimum now established in the
constitution, and demand that, when 1t can be
done, the legislature shall reduce such sala.
RES to o figure commensurate with the poverty
or the people. We also recommend state legis.
lation which shall require, under such reguia
lions as may DC liked by law, that all fees anc
commissions shall be paid to the county treas
urer only and prohibited to be paid or received
by any other county officer
Thirteenth-We reiterate the demands OF tn,
Peoples party representatives In our last stat,
Legislature for the elimination from our con
stitution OF what is known as the test oath ane
pledge our party to place before the voters O
the state at the earliest opportunity a consti
tutionai amendment to that effect
fourteenth-We demand that an amendment
TO the constitution providing for equal suffraQ,
Dc submitted by the legislature TO the lega
Fifteenth-We demand the passage of new
and Just apportionment bin giving fair repre-
etutattuu w All parts OF tne state.
Sixteenth-We endorse the reform known a.
the Initiative and referendum.
Seventeenth-The office OF governor of a stat.
comforting, as 1t does, upon the incumben
many facilities for gratifying an insatiab.e am
billion, this convention, therefore,
Res0fres That the nominee to that ofic,
shall be ineligible TO the office OF United State
senator and II elected, shall not be eligible rol
any other once during his term
Eighteenth-trom the very nature OF thei
CONSTITUTIONS, popular governments must nee
essartly be carried on through the ageacy o
political parties. Party platforms thus be
come the basis OF all legislative and admins
tratiye measures, and their wilful VOCATION Ii
civil treason against republican institutions
The faithful keeping of party pledges by thos,
entrusted With power Is the highest poiitica
and moral duty due from pubic officer to Tn.
people. We believe the time has come when 1
should also be made legal duty. And, there
fore favor state legislation which, while guard
Ing the pubic officers Ia the state against fals,
accusations and malicious prosecutions will
yet provide legal method through the courts
by which the gross violation by any oficer o
the pledges made by him through the part,
platform upon which he was elected may b.
punished by his prompt dismissal from office
we also favor the passage OF o state law whicl
shall disquaiify any person holding an one
from being q delegate TO any party convention
Nlnteepth--We denounoe the profuse exuen
iture of money heretofore practlced by both o
the old parties IN this state Ia the o duct O
political campaigns Such practice IN corrup
within Itself dobauches the poiitical O isciene