River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-07-30

regard the recent decision OF the supreme
court relative to the income tax law as
and an invasion OF the rightful powers
OF congress over the subject OF taxation.
we demand that postal savings banks
DC tabilshed by the government for the
safe deposit OF the savings of the people
snc TO facilitate exchange
transportation.
80. Transportation being a means OF ex-
change and a public necessity, the gov
eminent should own and operate Tho FAN
roads in the interest OF the people and on
a nonpartisan 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 corporations which result In the
impairment, II not the destruction. OF ths
political rights and personal liberties OF
the citizen may be destroyed. Such own
ership Is 10 be accomplished gradually in
manner consistent with sound public pol
icy
40. 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 alenated. mortgaged or
sold, but guarded and protected for the
general welfare as provided by the laws
organizing such railroads, The foreclosure
OF existing liens of the United States on
these roads should at orce follow defauIt
in the payment thereof by the debtor COM
panies. and at the foreclosure sales 81
said roads the government shall purchase
the same IL IL becomes necessary TO protect
us interests therein, or If they can be pur-
CDdSeu at q reasonable price, and the gov
eminent shall operate said railroads as
puDllc highways for the benefit OF the
whole people and not In the interest of the
lew. Gnder suitable provisions for protec-
ton or life and property, givine TO all
transportation interests equal privileges
arg equal rates Tor ares and freights.
II. We denounce the present Infamous
schemes Tor refunding these debts and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto
e =. eAs e, ana administered according to
~. The telegraph. like the post office
system being necessity for the transmits
by The government in the interest OF the
people.
Land.
''l3. 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
nopolized for speculative purposes All
lands now held by railroads and other cor
should by lawful means be reclairned Nv
the government and held for natural set
tiers only, and private land monopoly,
as wei as allen ownership, should be pro-
ia. we condemn the frauds by which
the land grant Pacific railroad companies
have. through the connivance of the in
terror department. robbed multitudes OF
actual, bona fide settlers of their homes
and miners OF their claims, and we de-
mand legislation BY congress which viii
enforce the exception Of mineral land
grants after as well as before. patent.
w SEI
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 Indian reservations when opened for
settlement and that all lands not now
patented come under this demand.
Direct Legislation.
''16. We favor a system of direct legisla-
ton through the initiative and referendum,
under proper constitutional safeguards
General Propositions.
1T. We demand the election of president,
vice president and United States senators
by direct vote of the people.
rs. We tender to the patriotic people of
cuba our deepest sympathy In their heroic
struggle for political freedom ana indie
pendcnce. and we believe the time has
come when the United States, the great re-
public of the world, should recognize that
Cuba Is and of right ought TO be free and
independent state.
tories and the District of Colum bia, and
the early admission of the territories as
states
40. All public salaries should be made to
correspond to the price of labor and its
products.
''2i In times of great Industrial depres-
sion idle labor should be employed on pub
lie works as far as practicable.
''22. The arbitrary course OF the courts
IL assuming to imprison citizens for indi-
rect contempt and ruling them by injunc-
tion should be prevented by proper iegis-
lation.
"2S. We favor Just pensions for our dis
ahled union soldiers.
"24 Believing that the elective franchise
and an untrammeied ballot are essential
10 government OF. for and by the people,