Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-08-04

First-True policy demands that the ma
tional and state legislation shall be such
as will ultimately enable every prudent
and industrious citizen TO secure a home
and therefore the land should not be mo-
nopolized for speculative purposes. All
land now held by railroads and other cor
porations in excess of their actual needs
should by lawful means be reclaimed by
the government and held for natural set
tiers only. and private land monopoly, as
Wei as alien ownership, should be pro-
Second-We condemn the frauds by
which the land grant OF the Pacific rail-
read companies have, through the conniv-
ance OF the interior department, robbed
multtudes of actual bona fide settlers of
their homes and miners of their claims
and we demand legislation by congress
winch VIII enforce the exception OF min
erai land grants after as we'll as before
patent
Third-We demand that bona fde settlers
on all public lands be granted free homes
law and that no exception be made in the
case of Indian reservations when opened
for settlement and that all lands not now
patented come under this demand
DIRECT LEGISLATION.
EIrst-We favor a. system of direct leg
islation through the initiative and referen-
dunn under proper constitutional safe
guards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
First-We demand the election of presi-
dent, vice president and United States SEN
etors by direct vote of the peop.e.
Second-We tender to the patriotic peo-
pie 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 great
republic Of the world, should recognize
that Cuba is and of right ought 10 be a
free and independent state.
Thtrd-We favor home rule in the terri
tories and the District OF Columbia, and
the early admission of the territories as
states.
Fonrth-All public salaries should be
made to correspond to the price of labor
F.fth-in time Of great Industrial depres-
sion idle labor should be employed on pub
lie works as far as possible.
S!xth-The arbitrary course Of the courts
IN assuming to impr.Son citizens for indi-
rect contempt and ruling them by injunc-
ton should be prevented by proper leg!s-
latGon.
seyenth-We favor just pensions for our
disabled union soldiers.
Eighth-Believtng that the elective fran
chise and an untrammeiled ballot are es-
sentiai 10 government of, for and by the
people, the peoples party condemn the
Wholesale system Of disfranch! sement
adopted in some of the states az unrecubli-
can undemocrat!c and we declare 1t to be
the duty of the several state legislatures
to take such action as vii! secure full,
tree and fair ballot and an honest count.
Ninth-While the foregoing propositions
constitute the platform upon which our
party stands and for the vindication OF
which It's organization Will be maintained,
we recognize that the great and pressing
Issue OF Sae pending campaign upon which
the present presidential election win turn
Is the financial question and upon this
great and specific issue between the par
ties, we cordially invite the aid and CO.
operation OF ali organizations and citizens
agreeing with us upon this vital question.
Oflc!al copy: J. b. Weaver,
Robert Schilling, Chairman Com.
Secretary Com.