Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-06-28
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
realllrm our allegiance to the principles enun
Cated IN the Omaha platform ana point to the re-
cord Of our representatives in congress rs an evil
dencc Of their loyalty in that platform We meet
at this time under conditions which see every
prophecy then made fulfilled and every indict'
ment which was made therein against the repuO'
ican aud democratic parties proven.
Our sympathies 90 out to the unemployed,
homeless and landess people of the country who
have been brought their present condition In
great measure through the vicious, un-AmencAn
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 inallenable rghts,tnat among
these ure life liberty and pursuit Of happiness.
We most heartily commend our present state
officials for their wise aud economic Admnstra-
ton of state affairs, that has saved to the taXpay
ers thousands Of dollars, and the Populislic egis'
ators for their efforts to enact into law every de-
mand Of the state platform adopted at Wlchlta IN
We demand the free coinage of silver at the
ratio of IL to /, and denouuce any party that is 20
completely under the control Of the goldbugs that
it dare not take stand for the people on this all
important question, which means so much to the
wage carriers and producers of our country
The comptroller's report for 1893 shows that
during the year 1853 national banks suspended
leaving financial ruin in their wake; we again re.
iterate our condemnation Of this, the so-called
best banking system the world has eyer known
and demand in It's stead banks of deposit under
the Icontro of the depositors and 1.-THE deposits
guaranteed by this government,
That we are unalteraDly 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
q flt.A..
eminent,
FOR LADoRERs AND FOR VETERANS,
We condemn the unwse and cruel policy of all
| the government parties in this nation whose leg
islution has favored capital aud oppressed labor,
and we hereny declare our sympathy with all toll,
ers in their efforts to improve their condition, and
demand such legislation rs will remove some of
the burdens of toll by shortening the hours Of
labor without lessening their daily wages.
We demand national and state boards of arbi-
tration to settle and adjust differences between
the employers and employees; and we further de-
mand that where the property Of a corporation has
been placed in the hands Of Il receiver the wages
of the employees shall be a first lien on its earn
| ings 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 10
| the same consideration as the man VINO wore tue
epauett and said law to be so framed that it will
| place forever beyond the power Of any official who
| is uufricndy 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 state irrigation department to in
vestigate methods and water supplies and enCour-
aye 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 1892, which we adopt and
make part of this demand, to wit: 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 far,
equitable ana honest treatment i'll the matter OF
freight rates, and we are opposed to the iAequit-
able and oppressive discrimination in the ADJUST
ment OF such rates by said companies whereby
| the merchants, shippers ana consumers OF other
states are enriched ut 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 ana other
| Interests of Kansas shall be placed on footing
OF equality, so 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 inltlat-
ed and approved Oh disapprovcd by them, There
fore, we indorse 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
mg minority report, aud recommend It's Iull adOp'
ton:
! Whereas. the peoples party came into existence
and won its glorious victories on the fundmen.
tai principles Of equal rights to all and special
privileges to none; therefore, be 1t
RESOLVED, That We favor the pending constltu-
tonal amendment. but we do not regaru this as II
test of party tedlty.