Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-08-12

P0PULIsT NATIONAL PLATFORM.
The Peoples party, assembled in national
reaffirms its allegiance to the
principles declared by the founders of the re-
of just government, as enunciated In the plat
form OF the party In 1892. We recognize that
through the conniyance OF the present and
reached crisis in its national life as predicted
in our declaration four years ago, and that
prompt and patriotic action is the supreme
duty of the hour. We realize that while VIC
have political Independence. our financial
and industrial independence is yet to be at
tanned by restoring to our country the consti-
tutional control and exercise of the functions
necessary to PEOPLES government, which
functions have been basely surrendered by
lies The influence Of European money
changers has been more potent in shaping
legislation than the voice of the American
have been used to corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the viii of the people, and plutoc-
racy has thereby been enthroned upon the
ruins of democracy. To restore the govern
ment intended by the fathers, and for the well
fare of this and future generations, we demand
cial system, which shall make us masters of
our own affairs and independent of European
control, by the adoption of the following dec
laration of principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand a national money, safe
and sound, issued by the general government
only, without the intervention of banks of is
sue to be a full legal tender for all debts pub
lie and private-a just, equitable and efficient
means of distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
ernment-
Second-We demand the free and unre-
stricted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio of sixteen to one, without wait
ing for the consent of foreign nations.
Thlrd-We demand that the volume of cir
culating medium be speedily increased to an
amount sufficient to meet the demands of the
business and population of this country and
to restore the just level of prices of labor and
production.
Fourth-we denounce the sale of bonds and
the increase of the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration as
that no more bonds be issued except by spe-
cifc act of congress.
Fifth-We demand such legislation as will
prevent the characterization 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 denounce the present
ana preceding administrations for surrender
ing this option to the holders of government
obligations.
Seventh-We demand a graduated income
tax to the end that aggregated wealth shall
bear its just proportion of taxation, and we
regard the recent decision of the supreme
court relative to the income tax law as a mis-
Interpretation of the constitution and an in
the subject of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal savings
banks be established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings of the people
and to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
First-Transportation being a means of ex-
change and a necessity the government should
of the people and on a nOn-partisan basis; to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment in transportation and that the
tyranny and political power now exercised by
the great railroad cOrnOra ti0na W hioh
in the Impairment If not the destruction of
the political rights and personal liberties of
the citizen, may be destroyed. Such owner
ship is to be accomplished gradually in man.
ner consistent with sound public policy.
Second-The interest of the United States in
the public highways built with public moneys
and the proceeds of extensive grants of land
to the Pacific railroads, should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tee for the general welfare, as provided by
the laws organizing such railroads. The fore
closure OF existing liens of the United States
on these roads should at once follow default in
payment thereof by the debtor companies and
at the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
eminent should purchase the same If il be-
comes necessary to protect its interests there
price, and the government shall operate said
railroads as public highways for the benefit of
the whole people and not in the interest of the
few, under suitable provisions for protection
of life and property, giving to all Transporter
ton interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunuing these debts, and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit.
Fourth-The telegraph, like the most office
system. being a necessity for the transmission
OF news, should be owned and operated by
the government IN the interests of the people
LAND.
,First-the true policy demands that the ma
uonal and state legislation shall be such as
VIII ultimately enable every prudent and in
9tistrious cltizen 10 secure home. and there
fore the land should not be mopopoliZed for
speculative purposes. ALI lands now held by
railroads and other corporations in excess of
their actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held for aeo
tuaI settlers only, and pri yate land monopoly
as wen as alien ownership, should be prohib-
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to Pacific railroad companies
nave. through the connfvance of the interior
department., robbed multitudes of actual bona
hde settlers of their homes and miners of their
claims, and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption of mineral
land from such grants, after as well as before
patent,
Third-We demand that all bona fide settlers
on all public lands be granted free homes as
provided in the national homestead law and
that no exception be made in the case OF In.
dian reservations when opened for Settlement
and that all lands now patented come under
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor q
system OF direct legislation through the initis-
i've TclcFtuUum uQQ6r proper cOlStitu-
donal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
l. First-We demand the election of president
vice president and United States senator's nv =
direct vote of the people.
Second-We tender to the patriotic peorIe of
Cupa our deepest sympathy in their struggle
Tor po1tlcal 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 to
| be, free and independent state.
Th1rd-We favor home rule in the territories
| mission of the territories as states
Fourth-All public salaries should be made
| ducts. 40 pi"
| Fiftb-In these times of industrial depres
| sion idle labor should be employed On pubIif
works as far as practicable.
| Slxth-The arbitrary course of the courts in
assuming to 1mprison citizens for in direct con
tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
| De prevented by proper legislation.
oeVentn-We favor just pensions for every
| disabled Union soldier.
Eighth Believing that the eIective fra pchise
| and untrammeled ballot are essential to gov
eminent OF, for and by the people the Peoples
party condemns the wholesale system of dis
| reimbursement adopted in some of the ststes
as un-republican and un-democratic aud we
declare ii to be the duty of the several states
legislatures to take such action as will secure
a fuu,free and fair ballot and an honest count
Ninth-WhiIe the foregoing propositions con
sttute the platform upon which our marty
stands and for the vlndication of which its or.
gan1zatiOn will be maintained we reco0nize
that the great and pressing issue of the mend
1lr OCW 1raearrr