Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-12-22
popuL1sr NATIONAL PLATFORM.

PoPULIsT NATIONAL PLATFORM.
The Peoples party. assembled in national
reafirms its allegiance to the
principles declared by the founders OF the 70
public, and also to the fundamental principles
OF just government, as enunciated In the plat
form or the party I'm 1892. We recognize that
through the cOnnivance OF the present and
administrations the country has
reached crisis in its national life as predicted
In our declaration four years ago, and that
duty Of the hour. We realize that while VIC
have political Independence. our financial
tained by restoring to our country the consti-
tutional control and exercise of the functions
necessary to peoples government. which
functions have been besely surrendered by
our public servants to corporate monopo-
lies. The influence OF European money
endnsefs mas oee1 more potent in shaping
people. Executive power and patronage
have been used to corrupt our legislatures
racy has thereby been 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 and flnan-
cial system, which shall make US masters OF
our own affairs and Independent OF European
control. by the adoption of the following dec-
laratiou 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 to be full legal tender for all debts pub
means Of distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements Of the gov
ernment.
Second-we demand the free and unre.
stricted coinage of silver and gold at 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 an
amount sufficient TO meet the demands OF the
business and population of this country and
IN he lrH.r
production.
Fourth-we denounce the sale OF bonds and
the Increase of the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration a.
unnecessary ana without authority Of law, and
That no more bonds be issued except by spe-
cific act of CONGRESS.
Fifth-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
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 present
and preceding administrations for surrender
ing this option to the holders Of government
obligations.
Seventh-We demand a graduated income
tax TO the end that aggregated wealth shall
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
yasion OF the rightful powers of congress over
Eiehth-We demand that postal savings
government
the safe deposit of the savings of the peopl
and TO facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
neutrality-suspicious. being a means OF ex-
change aud a necessity the government should
own and operate the railroads i'm the interest
of the people and 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 by
the great railroad corporations. which result
In the Impairment, If not the destruction. of
the political rights and personal liberties of
the citizen, may be destroyed. Such owner
ship is to be accomplished gradually in 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 Pa cific railroads, should never be alien
| aIed. mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tected for the general welfare, as 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 in
payment thereof by the debtor companies land
| 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 O reasonable
price, and the government shall operate said
| railroads as public highways for the benefit OF
| the whole people and not in the interest OF the
| lew, under suitable provisions for protection
| OF life and property, giving to all Transports
ton interests equal privileges and equal rates
| for fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunding these debts, and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto be
1
| 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
| the government in the interests of the people.
| LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the ma.
tonal and state legislation shall be such az
will ultimately enable every prudent and in
dustrious citizen TO secure a home and there.
fore the land should not be moRopozed 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-
| tual settlers only, and pri .ate land monopoly,
| as well as alien ownership should he nrohih.
tied.
| Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to Pacific railroad Companies
| have, through the connivance of the interior
department., robbed multitudes of actual bona
| hde settlers of their homes and miners of their
claims, and we demand legislation by congress
| winch VIII enforce the exemption of mineral
land from such grants, after as well as before
patent,
Third-Ve demand that all bona fide settlers
on all public lands be granted tree homes as
| provided in the national homestead law. and
| that no exception be made in the case OF In
| dian reservations when opened for settlement,
| and that all lands now patented come under
| this demand.
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor a
system of direct legislation through the inftia-
| tive ard referendum under proper constItII-
| uonal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
First-We demand the election of president
| vice president and United States senators by a
| direct vote of the people.
| Second-We tender TO the patriotic peoLle of
| Cuoa our deepest sympathy in their struggle
| for political freedom and independence, and
we believe the time has come when the United
states, the great republic OF the world. should
| recognize that Cuba is, and OF right ought to
| be, a free and independent state.
| Thfrd-We favor home rule in the territories
| ana the District OF Columbl and the early adj
| mission of the territories as states.
| Fourth-All public salaries should be made
to correspond to the price of labor and its pro
ducts.
| Fifth-In these times OF Industrial depres-
sion idle labor should be employed on public
| works as far as practicable.
|. Sixth-The arbitrary course of the courts in
assuming to imprison citizens for Indirect con-
| tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
| be prevented by proper legislation.
| Seventh-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Eighth-BeIieving 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 I'm some of the states
| as un-repubican and un-democratic, aud we
declare IL to be the duty OF the several states
legislatures to take such action as will secure
| a fuii,free and fair ballot and an honest count.
| Ninth-Wbile the foregoing propositions con
etltute the platform upon which our party
stands. and for the vIndication of which its or
| gan1ZatiOn Will be maintained. we recognize