Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-07-31


ing the sale Of bonds and increase of the
public debt, except In accordance with an
act or acts Of congress authorizing the
same.
We demand such legislation as viii pre-
vent the decentralization Of the lawful
money of the United states by private
contract
We demand that the government, In
payment OF its obligations shall use It's
option as to the kind Of lawful money IN
which they are to be paid, and we de-
nouDoe the present and preceding aduiin-
istrations for surrenderlng this option TO
the holders Of government obligations.
We demand graduated income tax, to
the end chat aggregated wealth shall bear
its Just proportion of taxntion, and we de-
nounce the recent decision of the supreme
court in regard to the income tax law rs
misiuterpretation Of the constitution and
an invasion Of the rightful powers of con
gross over the subject Of taxation.
We demand that postal savings hanks be
established by the government for the safe
deposit Of the savings of the people and to
facilitate exchange.
A true pulley demands that the nation
Al and state legislation shall hc such as
will ultimately enable every private and
industrious man to own a home, and
therefore the land should not be monopo-
li2ed for speculative purposes. All agrioul-
tural and grazing lands now held by rail
road Coprurntions in excess Of their actual
need should by lawful means be reclaimed
by the government and held for actual
settlers only, and private land monopoly
should be prevented by appropriate state
and national legislation.
We condemn the frauds. The land grant
of the Pacific Railroad company through
the connivnnce of the interior department
robbed multitudes Of actual and bona tlde
settlers of their homes and miners of their
claims, and we demand legislation by con
gress which will enforce the exception OF
mineral land from such grants after as
well as before patent. HEh ft
Direct Legislation. We hold that all
governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed and in order
that the consent of the governed may be
clearly asoertalned we favor direct legisla-
tiOn under proper constitutional snfe-
guards, so that a percentage of the oiti-
zens shall have the right of initiating,
framing and preparing laws and of com
| pelling the submission thereof and of all
| important laws, whether proposed by ma
tional, state or local legislatures, to a direct
vote of the people for their approval or re
| lection
Transportation being means of ex-
change and public necessity, the govern
ment should own and operate railroads in
the interest of the people, to the end that
all men may be accorded the same treat
ment in transportation and that the tyrnn-
ny and political power now exercised by
the great corporations, which result in the
| impairment IL not the destruction of the
! political right and personal liberty of the
citizen, may be destroyed Such owner
ship is to be accomplished gradually, in a
manner consistent with sound public pol
icy.
The interest of the United States In the
public highways built with public moneys
and the proceeds of extensive grants of
land, known as the Pacific railroads,
should never be alienated, mortgaged OF
sold, but guarded and protected for the
general welfare, as provided by the laws
organizing said Pacific railroads. The
foreclosure of the subslsting liens of the
United States on these roads should at
once follow default in the payment there
of by the debtor companies, and that at
the foreclosure of said roads the govern
ment shall purchase the same. If it be-
comes necessary to protect its interests
therein or If the same can be purchased
at a reasonable price, and the government
shall operate said railroads as public
highways for the benefit of the people
and not in the interest of the few, und9l
suitable provisions for protection of life
and property, giving to all transportation
interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and freights.
We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunding these debts and de
mand that the laws now applicable there
to be executed and administered accord
ing to their true intent and spirit.
The telegraph, like the postoffce system
being necessity for the transmission o
news, should be owned and operated by
the government in the interest of the peo
pie.