Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-12-30
roruIrsr NATIONAL PLATFORM.

poruLrsr NATIONAL PLATFORM.
convention, reaftirms its allegiance to the
principles declared by the founders of the re-.
puolc, and also TO the fundamental principles
OF just government, as enunciated In the plat
form OF the party In 1892. We recognize that
through the cOnniyance OF the present and
preceding administrations the country has
Ieacned crisis in its national life as predicted
IN our declaration four years ago. and that
prompt and patriotic action is the supreme
have political Independence. our financial
and industrial independence is yet to be at
talneo oy restoring to our country the consti-
tutional control and exercise of the functions
necessary to peoples government, which
functions have been basely surrendered by
our public servants to corporate monopo-
Hes The influence of European money
changers has been more potent in shaping
LEGISLATION than the voice of the American
have been used to corrupt our legislatures
ana defeat the will of the people, and plutoc-
raey mas thereby boon 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 ois, establishment of an economic and finan-
our own affairs and independent of European
control. by the adoption of the following dec
laration OF principles:
FINANCE.
F1rst-We demand national money, safe
ana sound, issued by the general government
only, without the Intervention of banks of is
sue TO be full legal tender for all debts pub
lie ana private-a just, equitable and efficient
uleans Oh distributor direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
ernment.
Second-We demand the free and unre.
str1cted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio of sixteen to one without wait
ing for the consent of foreign nations
Inlrd-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
production.
Fourth-we denounce the sale of bonds and
the Increase OF the public interest bearing
unnecessary and without authority of iaw.and
that no more bonds be issued except by spe-
chic act of congress.
Fifth-We demand such legfslstion as viii
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 TO the kind of lawful money in which they
are to be paid, and we denounce the present
and preceding administrations for surrender.
ing this option to the holders of government
obligations.
Seventh-We demand a graduated income
tax 10 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 n mia
Interpretation of the constitution and an in
vaslon OF the rIghtful powers of congress over
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.
flrst-Iransportation being means of ex-
cnange ana necessity, the government should
own ana operate the railroads in the interest
OF the people and on non partisan basis. IN
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment IN transportation and that the
tyranny and political power now exercised nv
tne great railroad corporations, which result
IN the Impairment, If not the destruction of
the political rights and personal liberties nj
the cltizen, 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 pubIic monavS
ana an the proceeds OF extensive grants of land
10 the facii1c railroads. should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro
tected Tor the general welfare, as provided nv
tne 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 land
at the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
eminent should purchase the same If il no
comes necessary to protect its interests there
IN, or II they can be purchased at a reasonable
prlce, ana the government shall operate said
railroads as public highways for the benefit of
the Whole people and not in the interest of tho
rev, under suitable provisions for protection
OF NE ana property, giving to all transporta-
ton interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and freights.
Ihird-We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto he
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit.
Fourth-The telegraph, like the post office
system, Deing a necessity for the transmission
OF OF news, should be owned and operated by
'ie government III the interests OF the people.
LAND.
tlrst-the true policy demands that the na-
lIo non ana state legislation shall be such as
VIII Ultimately enable every prudent and in
dustrious citizen to secure home, and there
tore the land should not be moRopoljzed for
speculative purposes. All lands now held nv
railroads and other corporations in excess Of
their actual needs should by lawful means no
reclaimed by the government and held for sc-
lual settlers only, and pri yate land monopoly
tied NC pionio
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
Sne Iand grants to Pacific railroad companies
nave, through the connivance of the interior
department robbed multitudes of actual bona
uue settIers OF their homes and miners of their
claiLis' ana we demand legislation by congress
m HsIS 9 VIII enforce the exemption of mineral
patent,
Third-We demand that all bona fitle settlers
provided In the national homestead law and
tnat no exception be made in the case OF In
dian reservations when opened for settlement,
this demand.
Fourth..Direct Legislation: We favor q
ti ~ e or uirec. ieglslatlon through the intia-
i've ana referendum under proper constitII-
uonal safeguards.
~ GENERAL PROPOSITIONS
flrst-We demand the election of president.
wee president and United States Senator'S nv a
direct vote of the people, -
Second5We tender to the patriotic peor lie of
Cuoa'our deepest sympathy in their striI0oIe
Tor polltlcal freedom and Independence and
we believe the time has come when the ITnitoJ
STATES, the great republic OF the world, should
recognize that Cuba is, and of right ought to
oe, u free and independent state
InIrdEWe favor home rule in the territories
ana tne District of Columbia and the early ad
mission of the territories as states 49,
rourtn-AI public salaries should be made
ducts. 0i anu i'e pro-
Fifth-In these times of industrial depres.
nlo oL, lule Iaoor should be employed on pubIio
works as far as practicable
SiXth-The arbitrary course of the cour,s r.,
assuming TO imprison citizens for indirect con-
tempt and ruling them by Injunction shouId
De prevented by proper legislation
eNentn-We favor just pensions for eyarv
disabled Union soldier. '0i every
MISUNDERSTANDING that the elective franchise |
ana untrammeled bal OF are essential TO GOV
OF, lor and by the people. the Peoples
adopted in some of the stats
as un-rcpuDilcan and un-demOcratic aud We
ueclare IL 10 be the duty of the several stateS;
to take such action as will secnra
d HuII,iree ana fair ballot and an honest count
INV hile the foregoing propositions con
s.a'u!e tue PLATFORM upon which our party
elanos. ana Tor the vlndcation of which its or |
esIeuiilation VIII be maintained, we recognize
tnat the great and pressing issue of the nend
i II canpalgn upon which the present presi. |
uential election will turn is the financial nnee
.Iol anu uDon THIS great and specific fssue he 4
.NSen the parties we cordially invite the Aid |
a ar cooperation OF all organizations and Cit