Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-12-29
poruL1sr NATIONAL PLATFORM.

through the c0nniyancc 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
outy OF the hour. We realize that while VIC
nave political Independence. our financial
and industrial independence 10 vet TO be at
sai9ed oy restoring to our country the consui-
eutional control and exercise of the functions
necessary 10 peoples government. which
functions have been bssely surrendered By
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
have been used to corrupt our legislatures
ana defeat the will of the people. and plutoc-
racy has thereby been enthroned upon the
Luins OF democracy. To restore the govern
ment intended by the fathers. and for the well
rare OF this and future generations we demand
tne establishment of an economic and fnan-
ctai system. which shall make us masters of
our own anatrs and independent of European
CONTROL. by the adoption of the following dec
iaration OF principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand a national money. safe
ana sound, issued by the general government
only. wlthout the intervention of banks of is
sue 10 De a full legal tender for all debts pub
Tic and prfvate-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.
etrfcted coinage of silver and gold AT the pres
emit legal ratio of sixteen to one without wait
ing for the consent of foreign nations.
Third-We demand that the volume of cir
culating medium be speedily increased to an
amount sufnc1ent to meet he 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
tne Increase OF the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration az
unnecessary and without authority of iawand
that no more bonds be issued EXCEPT by eDe-
cihc act of CONGRESS.
Fffth-we demand such legislation as will
prevent the demonstration of the lawful
money OF the United States 10y private con-
Sixth-we demand that the government. i'm
payment of its obligations, shall use its option
as 70 the kind of lawful money in which they
are TO be paid, and we denounce the present
and preceding administrations for surrender
Ing this option to the holders of government
Seventh-We demand a graduated income
tax to the end that aggregated wealth shall
bear It's just proportion of taxation. and we
regard the recent decision OF the supreme
court relative to the income tax law as n mis-
interpretation of the constitution and an in
vaslon OF the rightful powers OF congress over
Eighth-We demand that postal saving,
banks be established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings OF The peoDl
ana to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
firet-Transportation being n means of ex-
change and a necessity, the governm should
own and operate the railroads i'm the interest
OF the people and on a non-partisau basis: to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment IN transportation aud that the
tyranny and political power now exercised by
tine great railroad corporations. which result
q the Impairment, If not the destruction of
the political rights and personal liberties of
the citizen, may be destroyed. Such owner
ship 10 to be accomplished gradually in a 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 he alien
ated, mortgaged or Sold but guarded and pro-
tected for the general welfare a. 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 i'm
payment thereof by the debtor comDanies and
at the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
eminent should purchase the same IL il be-
comes necessary TO protect its interests there
In, or IL they can be purchased AT a reasonable
price, and the government shall operate said
railroads as public highways for ;he benefit OF
the whole people and not in the interest of the
few, under suitable provisions for protecrion
or life and property. giving to all transporta-
non interests equal privileges and equal rates
Tor fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts and de-
mand mat the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according TO their
true intent and spirit.
Fourth-The telegraph. like the post Office
system, being necessity for the transmission
OF news, should be owned and operated by
tne government in the interests of the people
LAND.
Flrst-the true policy demands that the ma
nonal and state legislation shall he such "a
VIII ultimately enable every prudent and i'm
oustr1ous citizen TO secure home and there
tore tue land should not be moRopoliZed for
speculative purposes. All 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 ac-
tudi settlers only, and pri ate land monopoly
as well as alien ownership, should be prpbib,
tied. PiO"
Sacond-wa oonda,n,, IT, @,
the land grants to Pacific railroad Companies
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
which VIII enforce the exemption of mineral
lend from sucn grants, after as well as before
Third-we demand that all bona fide settlers
on all public lands be granted free homes. as
PROVIDED IN the national homestead law. and
mat no exception be made in the case % In
dian reservations when opened for settlement.
ana tnat all lands now patented come under
this demand.
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor a
system OF direct legislation through the initia-
i've AID referendum under proper constitu-
donal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS
First-We demand the election of president.
vice president and United States senator's nv n
direct vote of the people.
Second-We tender TO the patriotic peoI lie of
Suoa our deepest sympathy in their struggle
Tor political freedom and Independence and
we believe the time has come vii N the Unitcd
states, the great republic OF the world should
recognize that Cuba is, and of right ought TO
De. free and independent state
Tnlrd-We favor home rule in the territories
ana the District OF Columbia. and the early adj
mission OF the territories ; STAGES
fourth-All public salaries should be- made
10 correspond TO the price OF labor and it's pro
ducts. 10 bAN
fifth-In these times of Industrial dPpres.
SION idle labor should De employed on pibIf,
WORKS as far as practicable.
Sixtn-Ihe arbitrary course of the courts in
aesuming 10 1mprison citizens for in direct con-
Tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
be prevented by proper legislation.
Seventh-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Eighth-Belicving that the elective franchise
ana untrammeled bal OF are essential to GOV
eminent OF. Tor and by the people. the Peoples
party conden rs the wholesale system of dis
reimbursement adopted i'm some Of the states
as un-republican and un-democratic aud we
declare II to be the duty of the several states
Iegisiatures TO take such action will secure
iuil,free and fair ballot and an honest count.
Ninth-Wbile the foregoing propositions con
5ttute the platform upon which our party
stands and for the vIndication of which its or
ganlzauOn will he maintained. we recognize
mat the great and pressing issue Of the pend
ing campaign upon which the present presf.
Dental election will turn IS the financial aues-
non. and uDon this great and specific issue be-
tween the part IS we cordially invite the aid
and cooperation of all organizations n PC it,
1ens agreeing with US upon this vital ues-
ton.