Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-12-15
poruL1sr NATIONAL PLArroRn.

PoPULIsr NATIONAL PLATFORM.
The Peoples party, assembled in national
reaffirms its allegiance to the
public, and also to the fundamental pr1ncipIes
1f just government. as enuncieted in the plat
form OF the party in 1892. We recognize that
through the cOnniyance OF the present ana
preceding administrations the country has
reached crisis in its national life as predicted
n our declaration four years ago, and thar
prompt and patriotic action is the supreme
duty of the hour. We realize that while VIC
have political independencee. our financial
tanned by restoring To- our country the coasfi-
tutionai control and exercise OF the functions
necessary 10 a peoples government. which
functions have been Dssely surrendered by
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
ana ueIeat the VIII OF the people. aud plntoc-
racy has thereby beon 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
the establishment of an economic aud imam
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 ali debts pub
lie and private just, equitable and eilicient
means OF distribution direct 10 the people and
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
ernment.
Second-we demand the free and upre-
stricted coinage of silver and gold az the pres.
ent 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 Al,
amount suhicient TO meet he demands OF the
business and population of This country aud
TO restore the just level of prices of labor and
Fourth-Tc dencunce the sale of bonds and
the Increase of the public interest bearing
deDt made oy the present administration as
unnecessary ana without authority of iayapd
that no more bonds be issued except by sre-
cific act of CONGRESS.
Fifth-We demand euch ieyislafioo No 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 presenr
and preceding administrations for sIrrenfIer-
ing this option TO the holders Of government
obligations.
tax to the end that aggregated wealth shall
bear Its just proportion OF taxation and we
regard the recent decision of the supreme
court relatlye to the income tax law a mis-
of the constitution and an in
vasion of the rightful powers of congress over
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 peopl
ana to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
First-Transportation being means OF ex-
change and necessity, the government should
own and operate the railroads in the interest
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment IN transportation aud that the
y tyranny ana political power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations. which result
n the impairment, If not the destruction of
the political rights and personal liberties of
the citizen, may he DESTROYED. Stlch owner
ship is TO be accomplished gradually in a man
ner consistent with sound public policy
seeond-Ihe interest OF the United States in
the pibllc highways built with public moneys
and the proceeds of extensive grants of land
to the Ia ;iilc railroads. should never no aiieu-
ated, mort@aged or soid, bat guarded and pro-
tected Tor the general welfare. provided by
the laws organizing such railroads. The fore
closure OF existing liens of the United States
on these roads should at once foliou- s!cfaultfn
payment thereof 10y the debtor com pafiies and
at the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
eminent should purchase the same II IL be-
comes necessary to protect its interests there
in. or II they can be purchased AT a reasonable
price, and the government shall operate said
railroads As public highways for the benefit OF
the "noie people and not in the interest of the
few. under suitable provisions for protection
oil NE aDd property. giving to all transporfa-
for fares and freights.
Ihird-We denounce the present Infamous
scnem s, Tor refunoing these debts. aud de-
and administered ACCORDING To their
true intent and spirit.
Fourth-The telegraph. like the post office
system, being necessity for the rslusmission
OF news, should he owned and operated bv
the government In the interests of tho people.
LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the ma
uonal and state legislation shall be such az
VIII ultimately enable every prudent and in
dustrious citizen TO secure home and there
TORE the land should not be moRopoIized for
uefw
railroads and other corporations in EXCESS of
their actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held for ac-
tual settlers only, and pri ate land rnonopolr
as well as alien ownership, should be prohIb,
tied.
Second-We condemn the frauds bv which
the land grants 10 Pacific railroad companies
nave, through the connivance OF the Interior
department. robbed multitudes OF actual bona
noe settlers of their homes and miners or their
claims, ana we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exenptjon Of Mineral
land from such grants. after as well as before
Third-Wc demand that N bona eda sa,,,,-.
on all p:Sic lands be granted free homes. as
provided al the national homestead law and
tnat no exception be made in the case o. In
olan reservations when opened for settlement
this demand.
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor n
system of direct legislation through the i,,itia.
i've ard referendum under proper constitiI-
uonal safeguards.
OESEfAL PROPOSITIONS.
Ffrst--We demand the election of presi,s,,. r. :
vice president and United Statcs seflafors Iey .
direct vote of the people.
- Second-We tender to- the patriotic peof RI
Cuoa our deepest sympathy in their struggle
TOT p0iucal freedom and Independence and
we Deiieye the time has come when the Ur,ffed
states, the great republic of the world should
recognize that Cuba is, and of right ought 10
De- free and independent state
1nlrd-We favor home rule in tho tarriforsea
and the District of Columbia "a nd the s.srIv al
mission OF the territories as states
FouFth-Ail public slaries should la rnade.
ducts. ''- 'e pro
Fifth-in these times OF Industrial teuros-
SION ldle labor should be employed on mint,
works as far as practicable
oi1ln-Ihe arbitrary couree of the cotsrfs fr,
assuming 10 ifnprison citizens for indirect com
tempt anu ruling them by Injunction sbonId
DC prevented by proper legislation.
eeVcttn-"e favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Misunderstanding that the elective franchise
lnd untrammeied bal OF are essential To ROW
eminent OF, for and by the people. the Peoples
party condemns the Wholesale system of dis
reimbursement adopted in some OF the states
= un-republican and un-democratic ard we
ieciare IL to he the duty of the several sfatfs'
selsiaturtss TO take such action az will secure
thl,iree and lair ballot and an honest count
Ninth-Whi.e the foregoing propositions con
'titute the Platform upon which our party
ANS. and TOR the yIndication OF which ifs or
sanizatiOn viii he maintained, we recognize
nat the great and pressing Issue OF the Dend
ng campaign upon which the present pree5-
election will