The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1896-09-22
THE OFFICIAL PLATFORM.
Passed by the Democratic Convention at
III Reno.

El Reno.
We, the undersigned committee on
resolutions Of the Democratic conven-
tion of Oklahoma territory, beg leave
TO submit the following'
First-That we unqualifedly APP
prove the platform adopted by the
national Democratic party in Chicago
on the sth day Of July, 1896, and
heartily indorse she nominees of said
national Democratic convention.
Second-That we unsparingly con-
denim the platform adopted by the
national Republican party in the city
OF st. Louis as being a declaration Of
principles in favor Of the classes and
against the masses of the people Of
this great republic, as being in the
interest of the powerful and wealthy
at the expense OF all the producing
millions of our people, and as being
un-American, unpatriotic and un-
worthy Of support OF any citizen who
earns his living other than by scalp
ing coupons or charging usurious in
terest
Third-We favor the enactment OF
law by our next territorial legisla-
ture prohibiting the giving Of rail-
road passes TO any legislative, judicial
or executive officer of this territory,
aud condemn the practice OF giving or
accepting such passes by or from rail
roads or other corporations as being a
menace TO the general welfare of the
people OF this territory; that we also
/ favor the enactment Of law by
our next territorial legislature requir-
| ing railroads and other corporations 70
! pay all damages caused TO persons or
property by reason of the negligence
of such corporations, or any OF their
| agents, servants or employees.
Fourth--That we favor statehood
at the earliest possible moment, but
we are opposed to the formation Of a
state from the territory of Oklahoma
as now bounded believing the creation
of the state under the present terri
torial lines would be menace TO the
prosperity of the people, and in the
future doom them to the burdens Of
excessive taxation, We are therefore
opposed to the policy OF the Repu ublican
party in the territory, which proposes
and urges the passage OF the Flynn
statehood bill, measure most
significantly marked with political de-
signs, as well as capital booming
schemes. We look upon such bill as
the vicious outgrowth OF the most
partisan spirit calculated If adopted
TO place the people of the territory at
| the political mercy OF a coterie Of Re.
publican politicians, who are attem pit
| ing 10 fasten themselves irrevocably ~
upon the people. Aud we believe the
state when formed should include
with the territory Of Oklahoma the
entire Indian territory.
Fifth-We favor the appropriation
| OF all government lands in the
! territory OF Oklahoma 10 the estab-
| lishmeut of homes 10 American cit-
zens, free Of any cost except land
Office fees. BY the term Of govern
msnt lands we mean all lands in the
territory for which patents have not
been issued.
Sixth-That we favor long leases OF
| the school lands of this territory, and
that laws be passed or rules be made
10 find the value of each tract of land;
and that uniform prices be fixed as
near as may be done; that persons
leasing school lands have the prefer
ence over all Others when they comply
with the rules and regulations govern
ing the leasing OF said school lands;
that FOR all improvements made by
lessees Of said school land they shall
be entitled 10 reasonable pay for the
same, or the right TO move said i'm.
provements from the land where they
fail to release under such rules and
regulations as may be fair 10 the school
funds aud the parties leasing.
Seventh--That we are opposed to the
appointment Of army officers as Indian
agents, and favor the appointment OF
al Indian agents and their subordi-
mates from citizens Of Oklahoma terri
tory. We also favor repeating the law
prohibiting half breeds Of mixed Indian
blood from equal rights Of trading and
other privileges Of the full blood In
dians; and that we favor the immedi.
ate opening 10 bona foe settlers all
unoccupied Indian lands to free home
stead settlement where treaty between
the Indians and the United States ha.
been made.
Eighth That we condemn th last
Republican legislature for It's numer.
GUS acts OF vicious legislation, among
which WAS the repeal Of the usury law
thus allowing rates of interest amount
ing 10 legal robbery; also the Fegar
bill by which the salaries Of county
officers are nearly doubled, while wit
nesses are compelled 10 attend npou
the court without compensation unless
they viii hnmiiiate themselves by sub
scribing 10 a pa0per's affidavit
Ninth-That we favor a fair revision
OF the laws regulating fees and salaries
| 10 the end that public expenditures bl