People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-10
STATE PLATFORM,

STATE PLAIfOhM.
We. the representatives OF the Peoples
| party OF the state OF Kansas in convention
assembled, do hereby reaifirm our allegiance
| to the principles enunciated in the Omaha
! platform, and point TO the record Of our rep
resentatiyeS 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 go out TO the unemployed,
homeless and landless people OF the country
who have been brought to their present con-
diti0n 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 1902.
We demand the free coinage Ofsllver at the
ratio Of l6 to l. and denOunce any party that
is so completely under the control Of the gold
bugs that 1t dare not take stand for this
all-impOrtant question, which means so
much to the wage-earners and prOducersOf
our country.
We reterate our opposition to all banks Of
issue whether national or state. and de-
mand the establishment OF 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
1 sympathy with all tOilers In their efforts 10
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 and 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 first lien on It's earnings
and effects; and we denounce the appoint
ment OF officials or parties interested as re-
ceiyers OF any corporation.
We demand service pension, graduated
so that the man who carried the musket shall
be entitled TO the same consideration as the
man who wore the epaulet and said law TO
be so framed that II will place 1t forever be
yOnd the power OF any official who Is I'M
friendly toward the union soldiers and sail
ors to change, suspend, or In any way de-
prive 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, 10
investigate methods and water supplies and
encourage more extended irrigation.
We demand freight Law based on the line
OF the maXimum-rate bill passed by the sem
ate and afterwards defeated by the Repub-
lican 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. t0-wit:
I'VE insist that the great Transportation
companies which derive their corporate ex-
istence 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 matter OF freight
rates; and we are opposed TO the ineQultablt
and 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. 10 the
end that the agricultural, mercantile and
other interests OF the state OF Kansas shall
be placed on footing OF equality so far a,
freight rates are concerned with the like in
terests OF the adjoining states"
Believing that all power Is invested In tbs
people and that all laws Of vital Importance
should be initiated and approved or disap.
proved by them. therefore, we indorse tbs
Initiative and referendum system.
WHEREAS, The Peoples party came int
existence and won its glorious victories OF
the fundamental principles OF equal right,
to all and special privileges TO none; there.
fore. be il
Resolved, That we favor the pending con.
stitutional amendment, but do not regard II
as test Of party fealty