Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-11-04
PoPULIsT NATIONAL PLATFORM.

Inc Peoples party, assembled in national
conNentlon reafffms its allegiance To the
pri'nG;lpies declared by the founders of the re
punlic, and also TO the fundamental PRINCIPLES
OF Just government, enunciated In the plat
form OF the party in 1892. We recognize that
Inrougn the cOnnivance of the present and
preceding administrations the country has
reached crisis in its national life pre1iicfed
~ osii oeclaratlon Tour years ago. and that
prompt and patriotic action is the supreme
DUTY OF the hour. We realize thar while xvf
nave political Independence our financial
ana industrial independence is vet to be AT
.aineu oy restoring Ia our country the eonsii-
tutional control ana exercise of the fupc,ions
nEecos;s;,Iy 70 peoples government. which
iunctlons have been basely surrendered nv
our public servants to corrorate monono
lies Inc influence of European money
II aas9o,s nus oeen more potent in shaping
people Executive power and patronagc
naIe , oeeli used 10 corrupt our legislatures
anu ueIeat the VIII OF the people. and plutoc-
racy mas thereby been enthroned upon tho
ruins OF democracy. TO restore the GOVERN
men ment intended by the fathers, and for the well
iare OF TINS ana future generations we demand
the establishment of an economic and finan
ciaI system, which shall make us masters of
our own affairs and Independent of European
control. by the adoption of the following dec
iaration OF principles:
First-We dcmap diSAT ,at;o,
and sound, issued by the general Vovernnent
only, without the Intervention of banks of is
cue 10 De a Iuli legal tender for all debts pub
nc duu pfInate-a Just, equitable and efficient
means oil distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements OF the gov
ernment. So
Second-We demand tie free and unra.
strictcd coinage of silver and gold at the nreS-
SuI ieSai ratio OF sixteen 10 one. without wait
ing Tor the consent of foreign nations
Third-We demand that the volume of cir
cuiating medium be speedily increased to an
amount sufficient 10 meet he demands of the
business and population of this countrv ord
10 restore the just level of prices of labor and
production. ~
Fourth-we denounce the sale CT bonds and
tne increase OF the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administr ration as
unnecessary ana without authority of law,and
that no more bonds be issued exceDt nv sne
citc act of COM rCsS. 0F~
Hfih-We demand such legislation as will
prevent the decentralization 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 deHounce the present
ana preceding administrations for sIIrren,jer-
obligations
Seventh-We demand a graduated incona
teA 10 the emu that aggregated wealth shall
bear its just proportion of taxation and we
regard the recent decision of the supreme
court reLitlye To the income tax law as a mis-
interpre tation of the constitution and an in
vas1on of the rightful powers of congress over
the subject of taxation.
EiGhth-We demand that postal ss,-,,,s
banks be established by the government for
tue safe deposit OF the savings of the people
ana 20 Facilitate exchange.
First-TrauspoItatiOn being a mans Of er-
cnange aud necessity, the govern nent 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 tho
y rainy ana political power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations which result
In The Impairment, If not the destruction of
tne polltical rights and personal liberties of
the cltlzen. may be destroyed. Such owner
ship is to be accomplished grad,,aIIv in a man
ner consistent with sound public policy
=, oeconu-Ihe interest of The United States in
tue puonc highways built with public moneys
ana the proceeds of extensive grants of land
10 the Pacific railroads. should never be alien
aactsi f i or Sold out guarded and pro-
tne laws organizing such railroads. The fore
closuie OF existing liens OF the United States
ON tnese roads should at once follow defauIti in
payment thereof 10y the debtor companies .and
at the foreclosure sales of said roads fbe voy
erhment should purchase the same IL IL be-
comes necessary to protect its interests there
IN, or III they can be purchased at a reasonable
price, end the government shall operate said
railroads. as public highways for the benefit ~
the whole people and not in the interest Of the
rev, under suitable provisions for protection
Oh me aDd property, giving to all transporta-
Tor fares and freights
lhlrc-We denounce the present infamous
mand that the laws now appIjcabie t5. rna De ne
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit
Fourth-The telegraph, like the post Office
OF news, should lie owned and opcrated nv
'he government in the interests of tho people.
LAND.
,,d ppsstathe true policy demands that the ma
uonal and state Legislation shall be such as
WIN VIII Ultimately enable every prudent and in
9ustrlous citizen TO secure home and there
.ore the land should not be moRopOIized for
epeculauVe purposes. ALI lands now held by
Talroads and other corporations in excess ~
tneir actual needs should by lawful means he
1ecialned Dy the government and held for ac-
Iual settlers only. and pri <ate land monopoIy
lied NC Pronlo-
,oecond-We condemn The frauds by which
Sue Iand grants 10 Pacific railroad comma mics
naVe, through the coDnvence of the inferiS,.
department, robbed multitudes of actual bona
nue settlers OF their homes and miners of thai,.
oiaihs, and we demand legislation by congress
WHICH Will enforce the exemption Of mineral
Iai.o from such grants, after as well as before
Ihird-Ve demand that all bona fide settlers
vi an puolc lands be granted Tree homes ~
provided In the national homestead law 1n "a
d a.sa no exception be made in the case o. In,
o .a1 reservations when opened for settIement
t an1 that al lands now PATENTED come under
fourfh-Direct Legislation: We favor a
~ STEM OF direct Legislation through the inifia
NV, i've a'.e referendum under proper constitu-