The Louisiana populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, La.) 1894-1898, 1896-08-21
LAND,

1. The true policy demands that ma
tiOnal and state legislation shall be such
rs will ultimately enable every provi-
dent and Industrious citizen to secure
home, and therefore the land should not
be emonopolized for speculative purposes.
All lands being held by railways and
other corporations in excess .of their ac-
tual needs. should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held
for actual settlers only, and private land
monopoly as well as alien ownership
should be prohibited.
2. We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to the Pacific railway
companies have through the connivance
of the interior department robbed mul-
titudes ofequal bona fide settlers of their
homes and miners OF their claims, and
we demand legislation by congress which
will inforce: the exemption of mineral
lands from such grants after rs we'll as
before patent
8. We demand that bona fide settlers
on all public lands be granted FREQ
homes. as provided in the national
homestead law, and that no exemption
be made in the case of Indian reserva-
tons when opened for settlement, and
that all lands not now patcned come un-
der this demand.
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
We favor a system of direct legisla-
tiOu through the initiative and referen-
dunn under proper constitutional safe
guards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
1. We demand the election of presi-
dent, vice president and United States
senator's by a direct vote of the people.
2. We tender to the patriotic people
OF Cuba our deepest sympathy in the
heroic struggle for political freedom and
independence. and we believe the time
has come when the United States, the
greatest republic of the world, should
recognize that Cuba Is, and has right
to he, q free and independent state.
3. We favor home rule in the terri
tories and the district of Columbia and
early admission of the territories as
states.
4. All public salaries should be made
to correspond with the price Of labor and
its products.
5. In times of great industrial de.
preston, idle labor should be employed
on public works as far as practicable.
9. The arbitrary course of the courts
in assuming to imprison citizens for in
direct contempt should be prevented by
proper legislation.
z. We favor just pensions for our
disabled Union soldiers.
8. Believing that the elective fran
chise and an untrammeled ballot are es-
senfial to government of, for and by
the people, the Peoples party condemns
the wholesale system of disfranchise-
ment adopted in some states as unre-
PUBLICAN and undemocratic, and we de-
clare 1t TO be the duty OF the several
state legislatures to take such action a.
will secure a full, free and fair ballot
and an honest count,
0. While the foregoing propositions
constitute the platform upon which our
party stands, and for the vindication of
which its organization will be maintain
ed. We recognize that the great an.l pres
sing issue Of the pending campaign, up
on which the present, presidential cleo
ton will turn, is, the financial question,
and upon the great and specific issue be-
tween the parties we cordially invite
the aid and cooperation OF all organ
izations Of citizens agreeing with US
/ fhlQ vital