The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1894-12-11
POPULIST PLATFORM.

Peoples Party convention convened in Boise
City, August j, 1894 /:
The Peoples party Of the State OF Idaho in
convention assembled hereby adopts the fol-
tions:
First-We endorse the national platform OF
the Peoples party, adopted at Omaha. July 4,
Second-The Peoples party is a party OF Law
and order. It's mission Is TO restore, as far as
law can affect II, equality OF opportunity In the
race for life. 1t believes in 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" II declares that human
rights are more precious than vested wrongs
and that all public wrongs shall be made to
yleld TO the demands Of equal justice express
ca through the peaceable and orderly use of
the ballot. We know that through the ballot
only can the people become powerful We
lHIeIelorS conuemn all acts OF laBlessness or
violence by whomsoever committed and pledge
ourselves to the people OF the state that IL they
shall entrust US with the reins of state govern
ment we will see to 1t that public order is pre-
served and peace and tranquility assured to
the people.
Third-we declare that the enforcement of
law, no matter how important 1t may be. is
only the beginning, not the end OF good govern
ment. We believe that the true sfatesnanship
lies in making good laws far more than in en-
forcing pad ones. We therefore, demand such
/ Legislation, both state and national as will
crush all nonopolies and relieve the people
/ from all unjust discrimination by law.
Fourth-Realizing that the financial question
I is one OF prominent importance to our people.
we reiterate our demands for the free and un-
ent legal ratio OF 10 to1.
Fifth-That the future welfare Of our state
depends very largely upon its legislation on the
| SUBJECT OF the appropriation ana use OF water
for purposes of irrigation, we therefore pledge
the Peoples party to the passage. at the earl
lest opportunity, Of a law protecting the people
against unreasonable charges for the use Of
water. and also creating water districts in the
ard regions OF the state and comforting upon
SUCH districts the power to construct bitches
ana canals for irrlsating purposes; and also
providing for the Condemnation and purchase
Dy such districts Of existing bitches and canals
constructed for the sale. rental or distribution
/ Of water for agricultural uses That such law
should authorize under proper safeguards
such water districts 10 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 sinking fund to pay the in
terest on such bonds are paid. the use of water
should be free. except the necessary charge
Tor the maintenance and repair OF such bitches
or canals.
Sixth-We denounce the effort now being
made by the Northern Pacific railroad COMPANY
70 force upon It's 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 al such contracts n1I and
void but also lniiict upon the oaicers and agents
enforcing SUCH contracts in Idaho such punish
ment Viii eEecluatiy teach them that ueitr-
l er cnattei EOr industrial slavery viii be to!er-
3ted IN TINS slate. We further dcnOu1ce the
practice Of mining corpora lions and companies
/ in running or being interested in stores and
boarding houses, either by themselves directly
or through their onicers and superintendent.
ana making !. obligatory upon their employees
! to trade ana Zeal II their stores or board in
! their boarding houses, and We demand such
| legislation as VIII eAectua1ly prevent such
/ practices.
Sesenth-We demand state legislation By
which the ollceS OF state mining inspector ana
| state boiler inspector shall be fIIed oy persons
| elected by the qualified voters OF the state in
stead Of as nov. appointed by the governor.
| Elgnth-Ne denoulce the Practice by per-
! sons and corporations of black-listiug laDorers
| on account OF their connection with organized
LABOR. We demand such state legislation OF
| TINS SUBJECT as VIII make such practice 4 fell
ony. ana, II case o. corporation. the insliction
OF the additional penalty Of the surrender Of
| the charter.
Niath-We demand law prohibiting the en-
! try of deficiency judgment OF mortgages on real
property. and that the time for redeeming such
| property from forced sales under foreclosure
or execution De extended from six months to
two years.
Tenth-We are opposed to the further sale Of
! the school lands OF the state and demand that
in lieu of such sales. such lands shall be leased
10 actual occupants and thereby create per
petual school fund without danger from loss.
Eleventh-In view of the criminal conduct of
both old parties in granting 10 corporations a
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 of the exemption law of the state
| as will save the homes of the people and assure
to our wives and children a reasonable proyis-
lon against poverty. We pledge our legislators
TO revise the homestead law 50 that ali actual
homesteads will be exempt from forced sale on
execution without the necessity Of declara-
ton.
Twelfth-We favor the submission 10 the
people constitutional amendment cenferrinR
upon the legislature the power to TX salaries
n NJ
maximum and minimum now established in the
constitution and demand that when it can be
done, the legislature snail reduce such sala-
ries to figure commensurate with the poverty
OF the people. We also recommend state legis-
lation which shall require under such regula-
tions as may be fixed by law, that all fees and
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 the
PEOPLE IS party representatives il our last state
legislature for the elimination from our com
stitution of what is known as the test oath and
pledge our party to place before the voters OF
the state at the earliest Opportunity a consti-
tutional amendment to thai effect
Fourteenth-Ne demand that an amendment
to the constitution providing Tor equal suffrage
be submitted by the legislature to the legal
voters OF the state.
Fifteenth-We demand the passage of a new
and just apportionment bill giving fair repre-
sentation TO all parts Of the state.
Sixteenth-We endorse the reform known as
the initiative and referendum.
Seventeenth-The ofice of governor of a state
comforting, as it does, upon the incumbent
many facilities for gratifying an Unsuitable am
bition, this convention, therefore.
Resolres, That the nominee 10 that ofice
shall be ineligible to the ONCE OF United States
senator and If elected. shall not be eligible for
any other ONCE during his term.
Eighteenth-F'romt the very nature of their
constitutions, popular governments must nee
eSSarily be carried on through the agency of
. political parties. Party platforms thus be-
, come the basis OF all legislative and admins
trative measures. and their wilful violation is
civil treason against republican institutions
The faithful keeping of party pledges by those
entrusted with power is the highest political
and moral duty due from public officer 10 the
people. We believe the time has come when il
should also be made a legal duty. And, there
fore favor state legislation which. while guard
ing the public officers in the state against false
accusations and malicious prosecutions, will
yet provide a legal method through the courts
by which the gross violation by any officer OF
, the pledges made b. him through the party
platform upon which he was elected. may Dc
punished by his prompt dismissal from ohice-
we also favor the passage of u state law which
shall diSQualify any person holding an ONCE
from being delegate to any party convention.
Ninteenth-We denounce the profuSe expen-
Iftura N.,tn ns