Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-11-03
roPuI1sr NATIONAL pLarroaE.


The Peoples party, assembled in national
convention, reafirms its allegiance TO tine
principles declared by the founders OF the re-
pupnc, and also to the fundamental principles
form OF the party in 1882. We recognize that
through the cOnniyance 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
have political independencee, our fiuaucial
and industrial independence is vet to be at
sained oy restoring to our country the cousti-
necessary to PEOPLES government which
functions have been basely surrendered by
our public servants to corporate monopo-
changers has been more potent i'm shaping
legislation than the voice of the American
have been nssS nv power power and patronage
and defeat the will OF the people. and plutoc-
racy has thereby been enthroned upon the
ment intended by the fathers, and for the wei
fare of this and future generations. we demand
me me estaonsnment OF an economic and finan-
cial system, which shall make us masters of
our own affairs and independent of European
CONTROL by the adoption of the following dec
iaration OF principles:
FINANCE.
Firet-W demand a national rnonev saf.
and sound. issued by the general goyernment
only, without the intervention of banks of is
sue W NC a luu teSdl tenQer Tor all debts nllt-
Lie and private-a just, equitable and eficient
means or distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
Second-We demand the free and unre.
str1cted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
emit legal ratio of sixteen to one. without wait.
ing Tor the consent of foreign nations
Thfrd-We demand that the volume of cir.
culating medium be speedily increased to an
amount sufficient TO meet the demands or fine
business and population of this country and
ToS1OrG lfsVa f,f l,l~<~-
production.
Fourth-Wo denounce the sale of bonds and
the increase OF the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration as
unnecessary and without authority of law,and
THAT no more bonds be issued except by spe-
cine 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
and preceding administrations for surrender
ing this option to the holders of government
obligations.
Seventh-We demand a graduated incomo
tax TO the end that aggregated wealth shall
pear It's 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
vasion of the rightful powers of congress- over
the subject of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal sayipus
banks be established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings of the peopl
aud to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
First-Transportation being a means OF ex-
cnange and necessity, the government should
own and operate the railroads in the Interest
OF the people and ON nOn-partisan basis: to
the end that all may be accorded the same
treatment in transportation and that the
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 citlzen, may be destroyed. Such owner
ner con sistent with sound public policy.
Second-The interest of the United States in
the public highways built with public moneys
ana the proceeds of extensive grants of land
to the Pacif1c railroads, should never be alien
ated, 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; and
at the foreclosure sales of said rouds the COY
eminent should purchase the same if 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 the benefit of
the whole people and not in the interest of tine
IeW W.. under suitable provisions for protection
OF life apd property, giving to all trans porta.
ton interests equal privileges aud equal rates
for fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunuing these debts. and do
mand that the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according to their
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
uonai and state legislation shall be such as
Will ultimately enable every prudent and in
9eustrlous citizen TO secure home, and there
should IA
speculative purposes. ALI lands now held nv
railroads and other corporations in excess Of
tneir actual needs should by lawful means be
RECLAIMED by the government and held for ac-
tuai settlers only. and pri jate land monopoly,
tied.
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to Pacific railroad companies
have, through the connfvance of the interior
department., robbed multitudes of actual bona
hde settlers of their homes and miners of their
CHAINS, and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption Of mineral
land from such grants, after as well as before
patent,
Third-We demand that all bona fide settlers
| on all public lands be granted tree homes AZ
PROVIDED IN the national homestead law, and
mat no exception be made in the case Of In.
dian reservations when opened for settlement
ana That all lands now patented come under
system OF direct legislation through the initia-
tive and referendum under proper constitu-
L uOuat SdIeRuArQ6.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
First-We demand the election of president
vice president and United States senators by q
direct vote of the people.
Second-We tender to the patriotic peolle OF
CUBA 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 10
De, free and independent state.
Inird1We favor home rule in the territories
| ana the District OF Columbia. and the early ad.
| mlseion OF the territories as states.
| rourtn-All public salaries should be made
| ducts. 40 F
! Fifth-In these times of industrial depres.
| sion idle labor should be employed on public
| works as far as practicable.
| SNth-The arbitrary course of the courts i'm
assuming to imprison citizens for in direct con.
| Tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
| De prevented by proper legislation.
| Seventh-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Eighth Believing that the elective franchise
| and untrarnmeled 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 un-republican and un-democratic, aud we
declare 1t to be the duty of the several states
legislatures to take such action as will secure
| ruI,free and fair ballot and an honest count.
Ninth-While the foregoing propositions con
stItute the platform upon which our party