The Louisiana populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, La.) 1894-1898, 1896-08-07
LAND.

I. The true policy demands that ma
tional AMI state legislation shall he such
as will ultimately enable every provi-
dent and industrious citizen to secure n
home, and therefore the lan1 shoald not
be monopolized for speculative purposes
All lands being held by railways and
othcr corporations in excess of their ac-
tual needs, should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held
for actual settlers only, and private land
monopoly as well as alien ownership
should he prohibited.
g We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to the Pacific railway
companies have through the connivance
of the interior department robbed null
tit1ies ofe4lal boaa fide settlers oftheir
homes aud miners OF their claims. and
we demand legislation by congress which
will inforce the exemption Of mineral
lands from such grants after as well as
before patent.
3. We demand that bona fidc settlers
on all public lands he granted free
homes. as provided in the national
homestead law, and that no exemption
be male in the case OF Inlian reserva-
tons when opsnel for settlement. aud
that all landsnot now patened come un-
der this demand.
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
We favor a systemsof direct legisla-
ton through the initiative and re 'eren.
dun under proper constitutional safe
guards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
1. We demand the election OF presi-
dent, vice president and United State;
senators by direct vote OF the people.
2. We tender to the patriotic peopas
Of Cuba our deepest sympathy in tho
heroic struggle for political freedom ani
Independence, ami we believe the time
has come when the United States, ths
greatest republic Of tho world. should
recognize that Cuba Is, and has right
to be. a free ani Independent stats
3. We favor hom, rule in the terri
tories and the district OF Columbia ant
early admission of the territories as
states.
4. All public salariei should be mais
to correspond with the price OF labor an
is products.
5. In times Of great industrial de-
preston, idle labor should be employed
On public works as far "a practicable.
O. The arbitrary course OF the courts
in assuming to imprison citizens for in
lircct contempt should be prevented by
proper legislation.
4. We favor just pensions for our
disabled Unica soiliers.
8. Believing that the elective fran
rhlse and an untramna!ed ballot are e3-
'ential to q government OF, for and by
the people. the Peoples party condemns
she whole ale system OF disfranchise-
ment adopted in sons states as unre.
publican aud undemocrltic and we de-
clare it to be the duty of the several
state legislatures 10 take such action as
will secure a full, free and fair haIlot
I'd an honest count.
0. While the foregoing propositions
constitute the platform upon which our
party stands, and for the yindicat,on O.
which its organization will be maintain
ed, we recognize thatthe great and pres
sing issue OF the pending campaign. up.
on w lcii the present presidential ele:-
ton will turn, is the financial question.
and upon the great and specific issue be-
tween the parties we cordially invita-
the aid and cooperation OF al orrsi-
zations OF citizens agreeing with us
upOn this vital opestiop