The Louisiana populist., 1897-12-31
State Platform.

we denounce the attempt of IL
Legislature Of Louisiana to call
. limited constitutional convcntic
as an insulting invasion of Il
sovereignty of the people, and "
advise all self respecting either
to vote against such convention
we favor an unlimited constity
tlonal convention which will estal
llsh and preserve q clean and hor
, est government for ourselves an
our children.
We declare that the paramount
issue in the approaching campaig,
Is to put an end to the regime O
fraud in Louisiana elections ap(
the restoration and maintenance O.
apure and honest ballot, which
will express and enforce the vii
OF freemcn.
We denounce the attempt to dis.
franchise any class of citizens by
devious, degrading and fraudulent
restrictions Of the suffrage which
are intended merely to perpetuate
Il monopoly OF the spoils of office.
We declare that every man 81
years old, and Of the necessary
residence, who discharges all the
duties OF citizenship, including the
payment Of a poll tax, shal! have
the right Of suffrage in Louisiana:
that such poll tax should be deyo,
ted exclusively to the public school
FUNDS and the poll tax receipt con-
stitate the voters registration pa.
perS.
We favor the adoption of an
Australian ballot system which
will disfrsnchise no one, but shall
effectually preserve the secrecy of
the ballot.
We favor putting en- end to the
one man power in Louisiana by
stripping the Governor of his im-
mense patronage and making all |
oincers elective and requiring TO-
.ation in office.
we favor the reduction of ex-
oenses Of government, particular
y In the judicial and executive
in which the number
II officers and amount of salaries
hoald be cut down.
We favor the reduction of state
axatlon to a rate not exceeding
i've mills on the dollar, so as to
out stop to the nefarious finan-
ial system OF farming out to fa-
orite banks the keeping Of taxes
unnecessarily extorted from an i'm
'overlshed people.
We oppose the scheme of per- Z,
hitting municipal and parochial
orporations to issue bonds to bur- q
en- and enslave the people. 6
We favor and demand the ex- .
mptlon of the citizens homestead. 6
'ithout registration or condition. :
We demand a better system of 4
ublic schools. 9
We pledge the delegates non,ina D
I'd by this convention to submit a
hatever constitution may be
topted by the covention to q vote
the people for adoption or re-
ction.
Having confidence and trust in
10 men nominated by this conycn-
on, we deem this enunciation of
'incipIes sufficient to guide them
their duties.
We reaflirm the doctrines an &
,unced by Thomas Jefferson that =
The whole art Of government g
insists in the art of honesty" and '
honesty is the first chapter in the 9, an
ok of WISDOM" &,
On this platform we invite and =; =;
llcit the support Of all elements q,
d all forces in this state who are IN u!
posed to fraud, Fosterlsm and to
'honest political and government ea, ea,
methods and policies which have prs
ought shame, suffering and de. i,s
to Louisiana. Ira Ira
Proudly conscious Of the high Lay
ssion of the Peoples Party TO No
vance, secure and elevate the Sls 6ns
hts OF humanity, we pledge our de- Dc,
egates to lead in the fight for w.
tlce, liberty and prosperity and ne