Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-01-31
FOR TRUE POPULISM.
NO.. 81.

PRINCIPLE AND HONOR BEFORE PARTY.
There is strong attempt being made to con-
fine the platform of the Peoples party to the
money question alone.
1t is true that every time an exchange of
commodities is made, we need that amount of
money, and it is plain enough that the volume
is not great enough, and we are obliged to use
some four thousand millions of credit money,
furnished by the bankers, OIL which the people
have to pay interest, instead of this amount of
redemption money being in the hands of the
people, as it should be.
This is crying evil-a great one, and one
that should be remedied. But what good
would the issue of this amount of money do
the people if the present methods of robbing
the people by railroad combinations, trusts and
syndicates still existed? How long would
money remain in the hands of the people,
while legislation remains as it is? i.
1t is probably true that the Peoples party
could get into power quicker on money plank
alone, but want more than simply to get in
to power; we want an educated constituency
behind that power that are agreed on what leg
islation shall be enacted when we do get into
power asconstituency that will insist on leg
islation that will put the transportation in the
hands of the government; that will demand
the enforcement of the law which provides for
the imprisonment of all those who seek, by
trust or combination, to block the wheels of
commerce between the several states or with
foreign nations and that will enable our peo-
pie to own the telegraph and telephone service,
and our cities to own and operate the street-car
lines light and water plants in the interest of
the people, the profits of which to 60 toward
paying the necessary expenses Of the city gov
ernment, thereby cutting down the taxes.
We want a majority of the people to be
agreed that direct legislation is necessary to
keep the Peoples party honest when it gets in
to power, and who will back up congress in
giving the initiative and referendum an in
come tax that will compel the rich to paw lust
proportion of the taxes to support our govern
ment, instead of leaving it all to the wage
earners, as it is to-day.
We want clear majority i'll favor of all these
measures, and no good Populist wants success
until we can have these principles victorious.
Simply electing president is not the SOLE nor
even the chief, aim of the Peoples party.
Our fight is for principle and justice not for Of
flee and honor.
Every plank in the Omaha platform is dear
to the heart of every loyal Populist in the land.
so keep them in the new platform, and let us
educate the people to those principles, sif it
takes us until 1900 or 1904 to do so.
Politicians in the Peoples party want imrne-
diate success, but the great common mass of
this grandest of parties want more Chev
wanted an educated majority, that will crush
the greed of corporations, combines and trusts.
and will legisate for the masses of our people.
Nothing could injure the Peoples party more
than success without this education. call the
attention of all honest Populsts to these
truths, and ask that they carefully consider
hem before they allow any man, or class Of
men, to attempt to set aside the grand old
Omaha platform
When we can succeed with all our planks
and probably another asking the government
control of the liquor traffic, taking the profit
out of the business, we shall then deserve src-.
,ess and will have achieved victory that
will be lasting and permanent as none others
IAN be- Away with fusion Away with vour
'ne plank theory Away with everything but
oyalty to our principles, and honesty to al