The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-07-25
A GOodly Number Of Demands,
Chief Among Which Is Free
Coinage of Silver,
Government Ownership of Rail.
road and Telegraph Lines
and the Referendum.

to the principles declared by the founders
Of the Republic and also &c the funda-
mentai principles Of just government as
enunciated In the platform of the party In
1892, We recognize that through the con-
nivance of the present. and preceding al.
ministrati0n> the country has reached a
crisis in its national life as predicted In
our declaration four years ago and thai
prompt and patriotic action is the supreme
duty of the hour We realize that
while We have political independence
our financial and industrial indie.
pendcnce is yet to be. attained by
restoring to II country the constitutional
control and exercise Of the functions nee
cssary TO a peoples government, which
functions have been bascly surrendered
by our public servants to corporate mo.
nopolies. The influence of European
money changers has been more potent in
shaping legislation than the voice of the
American people. Executive power and
patronage have been used to corrupt our
legislatures and defeat the will of the peo-
pie, and plutocracy has thereby been en-
throned upon the ruins of Democracy. To
restore the government intended by the
fathers and for the welfare and prosperity
of this and future generations, we demand
the establishment of an economic md
financial system which shall make it's
master Of our own affairs and indepen.
dent of European control by the ADDITION
OF the following declaration of Principles:
First. We demand n national money,
safe and ound, issued by the general gov
eminent, which, without intervention
of banks of issue. shall be a full legal
tender for all debts, public and private: a
just equitable and efficient means of dis
tribution direct to the people and through
the lawful disbursements Of the govern.
ment.
second. We demand the free and un.
restricted coinage Of silver and gold at the
present legal ratio of Is to l, without wait
ing for the consent Of foreign nations.
Third. We demand the volume of cir
culating medium be speedily increased to
an amount sufficient to meet the demands
of the business and population of this
country and to restore the just level of
prices Of labor and production.
Fourth. We denounce the sale of bonds
and the increase of the public interest
bearing debt made by the present admin.
istration, as unnecessary and without
authority Of law. and that nc more bonds
be issued except by specific act of congress
Fifth We demand such legislation as
will prevent decentralization Of the Lawful
money Of the United States by private con
tract.
sixth. We demand that the govern
ment in payment Of its obligations shall
use its option as to the naming of lawful
money in which they are TO be paid, and
we denounce the present and preceding
administrations for ~surrendering this op
ton TO the holders of government obliga
lions.
Seventh. We demand a graduated in
come tax. TO the end that aggregated
wealth shall bear its just proportion OF
taxation, and we regard the recent de.
cision Of the supreme court relative to the
income tax law as a misinterpretation of
the constitution and an invasion of the
rightful powers of congress over the sub
iect of taxation.
Eighth. We demand that postal saw
ings banks be established by the govern
ment for the safe deposit Of the savings of
the people and to facilitate exchange.
transportation.
Transportation being "A means Of ex-
change and public necessity, the govern,
ment should own and operate the rail.
roads in the interest of the people and on
nom partisan basis. &c the end that all NAV
be accorded the same treatment in trans
portation, n that the tyranny and politi.
ca, power now exercised by the great rail
way corporations-which result in the i'm
pairment II not the destruction of the 20
litical rights and personal liberties Of the
citizen-may be destroyed Such owner
ship il &c 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 to the Pacific railroads should never
be alienated, mortga ged or sold, but
guarded and protected for the general well
fare as provided by the laws organizing
such railroads. The foreclosure of exist.
ing liens Of the United States on these
roads should at once follow default In the
payment thereof Of the debt of companies,
and at the foreclosure sales of said roads
the government shall purchase the same
II 1t becomes necessary to protect Its inter
ests therein, or if they are purchased at a
reasonable price, and the government shall
operate said railroads as public highways
for the benefit Of the whole people, and
not In the interest of the few, under such
provisions for the protection of life and
PROPERTY RlNlnR 10 all transportation In
terests equal privileges and equal rates TO,
fares and freight
We denounce the present infamou.
schemes for refunding these debts and de
mand that the laws now applicable theret,
oe executed and administered according I,
their true intent and spirit
The telegraph. like the postoffice system
being q necessity for the transmission o
news, should be owned and operated D.
the government n he interest OF tn
people,
True Public Land Policy.
The true policy demands that the na
tional and state legislation shall be sucl
as will ultimately enable every pruden
and industrious citizen to secure q home
and therefore the land should no, be n.a
nopolixed for speculative purposes Al
hands now held by railroads ard other co,
posations In excess Of their actual need
should by lawful means DO reclaimed b
Tie government and held for actua! Sc