The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-08-01

country, and TO restore the just level OF |
prices. of labor and of 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 au-
thority of law. and We demand that no
more bonds be issued except by specific
act of congress.
"Fifth-We demand such legislation as
will prevent the decentralization of the
lawful money of the United States by pri-
Vate contract.
"Sixth-We demand that the govern
ment, I'm payment OF its obligations,
shall use its option as to the kind Of law
fu money in which they are 10 be pad.
and we denounce the present and 2re-
ceding administrations for surrcnderng
this option TO the holders of government
obligation securities.
"Seventh-We demand a graduated IL
come tax, to the end that aggreg tied
wealth shall bear its just proportion of
taxation, and we regard the recent de-
cision of the supreme court relative to
the income tax as a misinterpse, ,tion
Of the constitution and an invasion of
the rightful powers of congress over the
courts.
we demand that postal savings banks
be established by the government for Tie
safe deposit of the savings of the peO-
pie, and to facilitate exchange.
transportation.
"First-For transportation for means
of exchange, the government should CWn
and operate the railroads in the interest
of the people on non-partisan basis,
to the end that all may be accori al the
same treatment in transportation, and
that the tyranny and present political
power now exercised by the great rni-
road corporations. which result in me
impairment, If not the destruction, Of the
political rights and personal libecues of
the citizens, may be destroyed Such
n q
ally. in a manner consistent with sound
public policy.
"Second-The interest of the United
States in the public highways built with
public moneys and the proceeds Of eX
tensive land grants TO the Pacific rail-
roads should never have been alienated,
mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tected for the general welfare as pro-
vided by the laws organizing such rail-
roads. The foreclosure of existing liens
of these roads. should there be default
in payment thereof by the debtor com
panies, and at the foreclosure sales OF
said roads the government shall pur-
| chase the same If IT becomes recesslry
| TO protect It's interests, or if they can be
purchased at a reasonable price, the GOV
| eminent shall operate said railroads as
| public highways for the benefit of the
whole people, and not in the InCerc4. of
a few. under suitable provisions for pro-
| lection of life and property, giving to
I
! privileges and equal rates for fares and
freights.
"Third-We denounce the present in
famous schemes for refunding these
debts, and demand that the laws now ap-
picable thereto be executed and admin
| istered 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
! -.
interest of the people.
Land.
"First-True policy demands that ma
tiCnal and state legislation shall be such
as will ultimately enable every prudent
and indust xous citizen to secure a home,
and, therefore, the land should not be
monopolized for speculative purposes. All
| lands now held by railways and other
corporations in excess of their actual
needs should by lawful means be reclaim
ed by the government and held for actual
| settlers only, and private land monopoly,
as well as alien ownership, should be pro-
hibited.
"Second-We condemn the frauds by
which the land grants to the Pacific rail-
way companies have, through the con-
nivance of the interior department rob-
bed multtudes of bona fide settlers of
their homes and miners Of their claims,
and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption of min
eral land from such grants after as we'll
as before patenting
''Third-We demand that bona fide set
tiers on all public lands be granted free
homes, provided in the national home
stead law, and that no exception be made
in the case of Indian reservations opened
for settlement, and that all lands not now
patented come under this demand
Direct Legislation.
I'VE favor a system of direct legislation
through the initiative and referendum
under proper constitutional safeguards
General Propositions.
"First-We demand the election of pres
ident. vice president and United States
senators by a direct vote of the people.
"SecOnd-We tender to the patriotic peo
pie of Cuba our deepest sympathy il
their struggle for political freedom anC
independence, and we believe the time ha.
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.
; "Third-We favor home rule in the terri
, tories and the District Of Columbia, anC
the early admission of the territories a!
, states.
"Fourth-An public salaries should b,
made to correspond to the price of labo
/ and its products.
! "Fifth-In time of great industrial de
, preston idle labor should be employed OIL
public works as far as practicable.
"SiXth-The arbitrary course of tn
courts in assuming to imprison citizen
l for indirect contempt and ruling them b.
= injunction should be prevented by prope
4 legislation.
! 'Seventh-We favor Just pensions 70
= every disabled union soldier.
- Eighth - Believing that the elec.iv
n franchise and an untramelled ballot ar
e essential to a government of, for and b
q the people, the peoples party condem