Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-02-25
NATIONAL REFORM EDITORS ISSUE
-, AN ADDRESS.
URGE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN.
CosGRATULATE THE COUNTRY on
FRUITS BORNE BY PoPULIsM.
Place No Reliance. in specious Demo-
cratic Promises for Reform-op-
pose All Fusions-Futurc
-. Conventions VIII he
Held In May.

Memphis; Tenn, Feb. 2l.-The National
Reform Press Association was called to
order by the president at 10 o'clock this
merningl General Vandervoort offered
resolution to eliminate all proxies from
future PopuIist meetings and conventions
and moved the adoption of the plank of
the Omaha platform which prohibits office
hclders attending the conventions of the
party as delegates. A lively debate fol-
loved. the opposition being led by Cyclone
Davis and ex-Congressman Weller The
resolution prevailed by an overwhelming
vote:
The committee on address next reported.
The report, which was unanimously adopt
ed, reads as follows:
The National Reform Press Association,
at it's seventh annual session, assembled
in Memphis, Tenn, February 22-A, 1887.
sends greetings to all co-workers through
out the country and offers the following
for your considerations.
Elections being but incidents in the life
of the Peoples party, this association ap-
peaIs to the Populists to continue to battle
steadfastly for our principles until each
and all are enacted into law, and the peo-
ple given Justice and an equal opportunity
to enjoy the blessings of good govern
ment.
We congratulate the people of the United
States upon the fact that Populist educa-
ton is bearing fruit, and that even now
our opponents in many states are making
efforts to enact some of our principles into
law Our efforts are directed toward the
common good. We are ready to accept
just laws from any source, but We warn
the people against pretended reform-mere
compromise measures for deceptive parti-
san purposes,
The failure of the leaders of the Demo-
cratic party to carry out their promises,
by which they secured the indorsement OF
their candidate for president. places the
responsibility for the defeat OF promised
reforms upon the organized Democracy,
and serves as warming that no reliance
should be placed in old party pledges.
We realize that to achieve practical re-
form We must have the assistance of every
man who loves his country and defends the
right. We invite all patriotic citizens to
join US In an effort to rescue the people
from the abyss of bankruptcy and ruin in
which we are now struggling. and We
of our party platform. We strenuously op-
pose all fusion or entangling alliance with
any other political party. and We declare
to the boys in the trenches, who are
looking to US for new hope and encour-
agement and to the whole country, that
We will never furl our mag or hght under
the banner of either of the two old poiit-
ical parties.
= Let all good men unite under the Peo
pies party banner and fight the giant evils
petty having disappeared, the danger Is
that peace, order and even civilization may
follow in its wake.
that the great railroad corporations of the
country have been freely and openly used
power of two continents as one. of the most
powerful and effective agents for defeating
promised financial reform. This active and
cor operations owning. a, public function:
which Is such a powerful and necessary
agency of commerce. and exercising 1t IoT I
for thwarting the will of the people, re-
veals new danger, which threatens the
Therefore. the public ownership and opera
ton of the transportation lines of the
country, as demanded by the People
and more equitable transportation rates,
greater and better facilities of transporta-
tion. to protect the public against the ., op,
used against persons and localities. and to
better the condition of railway employees
the people to secure financial reform and
to preserve popular government. We urge
the Necessity for vigorous prosecution Of
Omaha and St Louis platforms. and thor
ough discussion of the, question OF direct
legislation. as contempiaieo IN nti,,. ine Initla
mandate We believe the truest expression
of the will of the people will be secured by
the adoption OF these methous IN our party
We renew the recommendation unani-
mously made one year ago by this asso-
ciation that the non-interest bond plan be
made subject for general discussion.
The proposition to redeem one kind OF
money with another kind of money is H.
logical. contrary to sound reason and In no
sense represents Populist principles.
We point TO .l.e appalling conditions in
which this country now finds itself. as the
hest evidence that the principles of our ma
tionaI platform are right, wise and nee
r essary. ~
/ with a firm reliance upon the patriotism
of our press and party associates. we EN-.
phasize the importance, of an educational
-capaign carried on in spirit of fraternity.
with malice toward none but with charity
for ALL" during the year that shall elapse
until we again mingle and share the pleas
iires of closer personal acquaintance.
A committee of seven, was appointed to
confer with the Populist executive COM
mitfee looking to 4 conference to outline
the future course of the party. Hereafter
the association will assemble in annual
convention, the first Wednesday in May
instead of February o. The place for
holding the next meeting will be decided
by the executive committee. A vote of
thanks was rendered to citizens for
courtesfes extended The convention adj
1ourned sine die. e.F '.-F-