Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-08-18

The Peoples party, assembled in national
convention. 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 1882. We recognize that
through the eonniyance of the present and
preceding administrations the country has
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
tained by restoring to our country the consti-
tutional control and exercise of the functions
necessary to peoples government. which
our public servants TO corporate monopo-
lies The influence OF European money
changers has been more potent in shaping
legislation than the voice of the American
people Executive power and patronage
nave been used to corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the will 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
the e. ia ilishment of an economic and f1nan-
ciaI $. st I'm. 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
ana SOUND. issued by the general government
only, without the intervention of banks of is
sue 10 be fun legal tender for all debts pub
H0
means of distribution direct to the peopIe and
tnrougn the lawful disbursements of the gov
Second-We demand the free and unra
stricted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio OF sixteen TO one without watt
ing Tor the consent of foreign nations
Third-We demand that the volume of cir
culating medium be speedily increased to an
amount suihclent 10 meet the demands OF the
business ana population of this country and
production. ~
AZ, a.
the Increase of the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration az
unnecessary ana without authority of law and
THAT no more bonds be issued except by spe-
chic act of conrress.
FifIh-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
pay ment OF Its obligations. shall use its option
as To the kind OF lawful money in which they
are To be paid, and we deuounce the present
ahd preceding administrations for surrender
ing TINS option to the holders of governments
obligations.
SeveDth-We demand a graduated income
tax TO the end that aggregated wealth shaII
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
vaslon of the rightfui powers OF congress- over
the subject of taxation.
Eishth-we demand that postal savings
banks DE established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings OF the peonI
and TO facilitate exchange
TRANSPORTATION.
neutrality-suspicious. being means of nv
Change and necessity the government shouId
own and operate the railroads in the Interest
oi tne people ana on a non-partisan basis: TO
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment IN transportation aud that tho
tyranny and political power now exercised Inv
the great railroad corporations w bich result
IN the impairment, il not tic obstruction of
the political rights and personal liberties Of
inc citiZen, may he destroyed. Such owner
II nalc Isal
ner consistent with sound public policy
Second-Thc interest of The United States i'm
t,Ie p,iolic hlEhways built with public moneys
ana the proceeds of extensive grants of land
70 the Pa ciiic railroads. should never be alien
ated, moTtgaged or sold. but guarded and pro
tected Tor Inc general welfare, as provided by
the laws organ zing such railroads. The fore
closure OF existing liens of the United States
On these roads should at once follow defaultin
payment thereof by the debtor com panies and
AT the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
eriiment should purchase the same IL IL be-
comes necessary TO protect its interests there
IN or II tney can bc purchased at a reasonable
price. and the government shall operatt. said
railroads "a 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 trsinsporta-
for fares and freigns.
Ihird-We deDOunce the present infamous
schemes Tor refunding these debts and de-
mand That the laws now applicable thereto he
executed and administered according TO their
true intent and spirit.
TouFtl- ne telegraph, like the post Office
SYSTEM DelnS necessity Tor the transmission
Of news, should he owned and operated by
the government in the interests OF tho people.
LAND.
FIrst-the true policy demands that the na-
tlcnal and state legislation shall he such as
VIII ultimately enable every prudent and in
rtstIiouS cltlzcn TO secure home. and there
'Ore the land should not be moaopoIiZed for
speculative purposes All lands NOW held bx-
railroads and other corporations in excess of
their actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed 10y the government ana held for nc
tual settlers only, and pri ate land monopoly
as Wei as alien ownership, should be prohib-
Second-We condemn the frauds Inv which
the ldnd grants to Pacific railroad companie5
nave through the connivance of the interior
department, robbed multitudes of actual bona
noe settlers OF their homes and miners of their
Claims. and we demand legislation by congress-
whicn viii enforce the exemption of mineral
iand from such grants, after as well as before
patent
Third-We demand that all bona fide settlers
on all publ c lands be granted free homes AZ
provided III the national homestead law, and
mat 30 exception be made i'm The case % In
dian reservations when opened for settlement
ana that all lands now patented come under
this demand.
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor
sisteEl 81 erect legislation through the inita-
i've ai'c referendum under proper coustitu-
donal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS
First-We demand the election of president.
vice prcsiient and United States senators NV a
direct vote of the people.
Second-We tender TO the patriotic Dcot lie of
Cuna our deepest sympathy in their struggle
Tor political freedom and independence. and
we believe the time has come VIII IN the United
states, Tie great republic of the world should
recognize that Cuba is. aud of right ought to
De a free and independent state.
1hird-We favor home rule in the territories
ana the District of Columbia and the early adj
MISSION OF the territories states.
fOurTh-Ali public Sa laries should be made
ducts. 10 P'O
fifth-ln these times of industrial denres-
sion idle labor should be employed ON pubIIa
WORKS as far as practicable.
SNtn-Ihe arbitrary course of the courts i'm
assuming TO iinprison citizens for Indirect con-
tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
De pI reverted by proper legislation.
Seventh We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Eighth Believing that the elective franchise
ana 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 STATES
as nn-repuhican and un-democratic aud we
declare II to be the duty of the scyeruI states'
legislatures TO take such action as will secure
u Iull,tfee ana falr ballot and an honest count
Ninth-Whie the foregoing propositions con
stHute the platform upon which orr party
STANDS. and for the vIndication of which its or
ganiZation will he maintained we recognize
mat the great aud pressing issue of the pend-
ing campaign upon which the present rresi-