Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-08-19
poruIIsr NATIONAL pLArroaM.

duty of the hour. We realize that while NC
nave pohtieM fudependencee. our financial
arc lnunstriai independence is yet to be at
tanned by restoring TO our country the consti-
tuttonai control and exercise of the functions
necessary to a peoDle's government. which
functions have been basely surrendered by
our public servants to corporate monopo-
lies The influence OF European money
changers has been more potent in shaping
Iegislat1on than the voice of the American
people Executive power and patronage
nave been used to corrupt our legislatures
ana defeat the will of the people. and plutoc-
raey has thereby been enthroned upon the
ruins OF democracy. To restore the govern
ment intended by the fathers. and for the well
rare OF this and future generations, we demand
the establishment of an economic and finan-
cfal system. which shall make us masters of
our own anairs and independent of European
control. by the adoption of the following dec
laration of principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand a national money. safe
and sound. issued by the general government
only, without the Intervention of banks of is
sue 10 be full legal tender for all debts pub
nc ana prlvate-a just, equitable and efficient
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
ernment.
Second-We demand the free and unre-
strlcted coinage of silver and gold ri the pres
ent legal ratio of sixteen TO one, without wait
ing for the consent of foreign nations
Ihlrd-We demand that the volume of cir
culatlng 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 Lowell of prices of labor and
:, Fourth-we denounce the sale of bonds and
the increase OF the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration as
unnecessary and without authority of iaw.and
that no more bonds be issued except by spe-
cific act of congress-.
Fffth-Ne demand such legislation as will
prevent the demonetizatiOn of the lawful
money of the United States by private con-
tract.
Sixth-We demand that the government, in
payment of its obligations, shall use its option
as 10 the kind OF lawful money in which they
are to be paid. and we denounce the present
ana preceding administrations for surrender
ing this option to the holders of government
obligations. :
Seventh-We demand a graduated income
taXto the end that aggregated wealth shall
bear its just proportion of taxation, and we
regard the recent decision of the supreme
court relative to the income tax law as q mis-
Interpretation OF the constitution and an in
vasion of the rightful powers of congress over
the subject of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal savings
banks be established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
First-Transportation being a means of ex-
change and necessity, the government should
own ana operate the railroads in the interest
OF the people and on a non-partisan basis: to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment IN transportation and that the
tyranny nd political power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations. which result
in the Impairment, If not the destruction of
the political rights and personal liberties of
the citizen. may be destroyed Such owner
ship is TO he accomplished gradually in a man.
ner consistent with sound public policy.
Second-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 alien
ated. mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tected for the general welfare. as provided by
the laws organizing such railroads. The fore
closure oil existing liens of the United States
on these roads should at once follow default in
payment thereof by the debtor com panies ;and
a tho foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
eTnr1@nt Should purchase the same if il be-
coIoee necessary 30 protect its interests there
in, OF if they can be purchased at q reasonabIe
price, eni the government shall operate said
raiiroatis a. pa bic highways for the benefit OF
me "role people and not in the interest of the
lev, under suitable provisions for protection
OF Life ana property, giving to all transporta-
ton Interests equal privileges and equal rate
for fares ana fre1ghtS.
Tbjrtl-Xe Jenounce the pre6ent infamous
schCnes Tor fetunGing these debts. and de-
Inland that the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit
fourth-The telegraph, like the post Office
system, being a necessity for the transmission
OF news, should be owned and operated by
inc goNernme Mt IN the interests of the people.
LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the ma
tlonal and state legislation shall be such as
Will ultimately enable every prudent and in
uuolAtOUS 10 secure q nome, and there
TORE the land should not be monOpolized for
speculative purposes. All lands now held by
railroads and other corporations in excess of
their actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held for ac-
tuai settlers only, and pri Iate land MONOPOLY
as Wen as alien ownership, should be prohib-
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the iand grants to Pacific railroad companies
nave, through tho connivance of the interior
department., robbed multitudes of actual bona
noe settlers of their homes and miners of their
claims, and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption of mineral
patent,
Third-We demand that all bona fide settlers
on all public lands be granted free homes. as
prov IN the national homestead law, aud
tnat no exception be made in the case o. In
olan reservations when opened for settlement
and that ali lands now patented come under
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor q
system OF direct legislation through the initia-
i've aho referendum under proper constitu-
donai safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
F1rst-We demand the election of president.
vice president and United States senator's nv n
direct vote of the people.
Second-We tender TO the patriotic people of
Cuoa our deepest sympathy in their struggle
Tor political freedom and Independence and
we believe the time has come when the United
states, the great republic of the world, should
recognize that Cuba is, and of right ought to
be- free and independent state
IhIrd1We favor home rule in tho territories
ana the District of Columbia. and the early al
mission of the territories as states.
Fourth-All public salaries should be made
ducts. ~ o Pio-
Fifth-ln these times of Industrial depres
sion idle labor should be employed On pnblic
works as far as practicable.
Slxth-The arbitrary course of the courts i'm
assuming to lmprison citizens for indirect con-
tempt and ruling them by Injunction shoujd
be prevented by proper legislation.
SeVentn-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Eighth Believing that the elective franchise
and untrammeled ballot are essential to gov
eminent of, for and by the people the PeonIes
reimbursement adopted in some OF the. sta tes
as un-republican and un-democratic aud we
declare II to be the duty of the several states
legislatures TO take such action as will secure
Iuii,free and fair ballet and an honest count
NInth-Whiie the foregoing propositions CON
stttute tne platform upon which our PARTY
stands. and for the vIndication of which its or
ganizatiOn will be maintained we recognize
that the great and pressing issue of the pend
ing campaign upon which the present uresf-
Dental election will turn IS the financial oiIes-
non, and upon this great and specific issue he
tween the parties we cordially invite the aid
ana cooperation of all organizations and citi-
zens agreeing with upon this vital uues-
ten. so
IHE Populist candidate for delegate
to congress from Oklahoma is Il. J.Cal-
lahan, of Kingfsher. He has been en-
dorsed by the democrats and free silver
republicans and his election IS practic-
tIEVr 1ccr Il