Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-02-09
P0PULIsT NATIONAL PLArFoBu.

The Peoples party, assembled I'm national
G .io1ia reatfirms its allegiance to the
principles declared by the founders OF the re-
puDhc, and also to the fundamental principles
OF Just government, as enunciated In the plat
FORM OF the party in 1892. We recognize that
through the cOnnivancc 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
duty of the hour We realize that while No
nave pohtlcai lndependencee. our financial
and industrial Independence IL yet to be at
tained by restoring tn our country the consti-
tuttonal control and exercise of the functions
necessary TO peoDies government, which
functions have been basely surrendered by
our public servants to corporate mouopo-
lies The influence of European money
changers has been more pctent in shaping
legislation than the voice of the American
people. Executive power and patronage
have been used TO corrupt our legislatures
ana de1eat the VIII of the people. and plutoc-
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 finan-
cial system. which shall make masters of
our own affairs and independent of European
control, by the adoption of the following dec
laration OF principles:
First We demand iS y na,iono,
and sound, issued 10y the general governments
only. without the intervention of banks of is
sue TO be a full legal tender for all debts pub
lie and private-a just, equitable and efficient
means of distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements Of the row
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
TO restore the Just level of prices of labor and
production.
Fourth-we 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 Iaw,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.
Sxth-We demand that the government. I'm
payment of its obligations, shall use its option
as to the kind of lawful money in which they
are TO be paid ana 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 q mis-
Interpretation of the constitution and an i'm
vas1on OF the rightfui powers of congress over
the subject of taxation.
Eghth-We demand that postal sayinQs
banks be established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings of the peopl
and to facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION.
First-Transportation being a means OF er-
change and necessity the governments houli
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 citizen. may be destroyed. Such owner
ship is 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 moneya
and the proceeds of extensive grants of land
to the Pa cifc 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 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 If 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 the
few, under suitable provisions for protection
or NE and property, giving to all transporta-
for fares and freiRhts.
Third-We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refundng these debts and de-
mand That the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit.
teieRfdpD. ike the post once
system, being necessity for the transmission
of news, should be owned and operated by
the government ia the interests of the people.
LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the na-
t1Onal and state Legislation shall be such N
Will ultimately enable every prudent and In
duetrious citizen TO secure a home and there
fore the land should not be moRopolized for
speculative purposes. All lands now held By
railroads and other corporations in excess NJ
their actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held for ac-
tual settlers only, and pri yate land monopoly.
as wen as alien ownership, should be prohib.
tied.
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants 10 Pacific railroad companies
have, through the CONVEYANCE of the interior
department, robbed multitudes of actual hons
fide settlers OF their homes and miners of their
clalms, and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption Of mineral
land from such grants. after as well as before
patent,
on all public lands be granted free homes. as
provided in the national homestead law, and
tnat no exception be mede in the case Of In
dian reservations when opened for settlement.
this demand
Fourth-Dfrect Legislation: We favor n
system of direct legislation through the fnfffa-
tive ard referendum under proper constitu-
tfonal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
First-we demand the election of president.
direct vote OF the people.
SecoDd-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 Gu ba is. and OF right ought to
be. free and independent state.
Thfrd-Ne favor nome rule in the territories
and the District Of Columbia and the early ad-
mission OF the territories states.
Fourth-AH public salaries should be made
to correspond 10 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 10y injunction thouh
be prevented by proper legislation.
SeyeDth-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Notwithstanding that the elective franchise
and untrammeied bal OF are essential to rUv.
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-repubiican and un-deuiocrafic. aud Ne
declare IL to be the duty of the several statess
legislatures to take such action as will secure
a full free and fair ballot and an honest count.
Ninth-WbiIe the foregoing propositions con
efitute the platform upon which our party
stands. and for the vindication of which its or
ganization will be maintained. we recognizes
that the great and pressing issue OF the pend
ing campaign upon which the present presf-
dental election viii turn is the financial ques-
ton. and uDon this great and specific issue be-
tween the parfi IS we cordially invite the AID
and cooperation of all organizations petit
zk.fs greeting with N 4 This vital rrnr.