The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-07-25

Of 10 60 1 without waiting 1or the consent OF
foreign nations,
Transportation being a means Of exchange
ind % public necessity, the government should
own and operate the railroads in the interest
Of the people and On uon.partiaan basis, TO the
md that all muy be accorded the same treat
ment In transportation, and that the tyranny
ind political power now exercised by the great
railroad corporations which result in the i'm
pairment, If not the destruction, of the political
rights and personal liberties Of the citizen may
be destroyed. Such ownership is to be accom-
plished gradually in q manner consistent with
sound public policy.
Tho interest Of the United States in the pub
lie highways, built with public moneys and the
proceeds 81 extensive grants Of land to the
Pacific railroads, should never be alienated,
mortgaged, OF sold, but guarded and protected
for the general welfare, as provided by the laws
organizing such railroads. The foreclosure of
existing liens Of the United States on these
roads should at once follow default in the pay.
ment thereof.
All lands now held by railroads and other
corporations in excess of their actual needs,
should, by means, be reclaimed by the
government and held for actual settlers only,
and private land monopoly, a. well as allen
ownership, should be prohibited
We demand that bona hde settlers on all pub
lie lands be granted free homes, as provided in
The national homestead law, and that no ex-
coptiUn be made in the case Of Indian reserva,
tions when opened for settlement, and that oil
lands NOT now patented come under this de-
mand.
We favor a system Of direct legislation
through the initiative and referendum, under
proper constitutional safeguards.
We demand the election of president, vice
president and United States senator's by a d.
rect vote of the people,
We denounce the sale of bonds and the In
crease Of the public interest bearing bond debt
made by the present administrator as unneces-
sary and without authority Of law, and that no
more bonds be issued except by specific act OF
congress-
We demand such legal legislation as win pre-
vent the decentralization of the Lawful money
Of the United States by private contract
We demand q graduated income tax TO the
end that aggregated wealth shall bear its Just
proportion Of taxation and we denounce the
supreme court, relative TO the income tax law
AZ a misinterpretation of the constitution and
an invasion of the rightful powers of congress
over the subject Of taxation.
We demand that postal savings banks be es-
tablished by the government for the safe de
post of the savings Of the people and to facili-
tate exchange.
We tender 10 tho patriotic people OF Cuba
our deepest sympathy in their heroic struggle
for political freedom and independence, and
we believe the time has come when the United
States the SgSat republic Of the world, should
recognize tR7FCuba il and of right ought TO be
a free and independent state.
All public salaries should be made to CORE
spond with the price Of labor and its products.
In times of great industrial depression idle
labor should be employed on public works as
far AZ practicable.
The arbitrary course of the courts in assum.
ing TO imprison citizens for indirect contempt
and that ruling by injunction should be pre-
vented by proper legislation.
We favor Just pensions for our disabled
Union soldiers
The telegraph, like the postofice system, be
ing a necessity for the transmission Of news,
should be owned and operated by the govern
ment in the interest Of the people.
The Peoples party condemns the wholesale
system Of disfranchisement adopted in some
states as u~nrepublican and undemocratic, and
we declare it TO be the duty of the several
state legislatures to take such action rs VIII
secure "A fun, free and fair ballot and an honest
count.
While the foregoing propositions constitute
the platform upon which our party stands, and
for the vindication Of which its organization
will be maintained, we recognize that the great
and pressing issue Of the pending campaign
upon which the present presidential election
will turn is the financial question, and upon
this great and specific issue between the par
ties we cordially invite the aid and co-opera-
ton of all organizations and citizens agreeing
with ia uDOu this vital question.