The advocate., 1896-07-29

Interpretation of the constitution and an In
Vasion Of the rightful powers of congress over
the subject Of taxation.
Elghth-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 means OF OK"
change and o necessity, the government should
own and operate the railroads in the interest
of the people and on nOn-partisan basis to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment in transportation and that the
tyranny and political power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations, which result
In the impairment, II not in the destruction, OF
the political rights and personal liberties OF
the citizen, may be destroyed Such owner
ship is to be 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 alienat-
ed mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tected for the general welfare, as provided by
the laws organizing such railroads. The fore
closure OF existing liens Of the United States
on these roads should at once follow default IN
payment thereof by the debtor companies; and
at the foreclosure sales Of said roads the gov
ernment should purchase the same If 1t be-
comes necessary to protect its interests there
in, or II they can be purchased at 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 suitable provisions for protection
Of life and property, giving to all transporta-
tlon interests equal privileges and equal rates
| for fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunding these debts, and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto be
| executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit
Fourth-The telegraph, like the post ONCE
system, being necessity for the transmission
OF news, should be owned and operated by the
governmental the interests Of the people
LAND.
First-The true policy demands that the ma
tional and state legislation shall be such as
will ultimately enable every prudent and in
| dustrious citizen to secure o home, and there
fore 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-
tual settlers only, and private land monopoly,
as well as alien ownership, should be prohib-
tied.
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to Pacific railroad companies
have, through the connivance Of the interior
department robbed multitudes Of actual bona
flde settlers OF their homes and miners Of their
claims, and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption OF mineral
land from such grants, after as well as before
patent
Third-We demand that all bona flde settlers
on all public lands be granted free homes as
provided In the national homestead law, and
that no exception be made In the case OF In.