The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-21
Sunhower Sages

The Kansas Populists lave renominated
their State ticket, with the Hon. JOHN w.
LEEDY blazing at its head, and the Demo
Gratis and Silver Republicans have meekly
accepted that ticket after shooting of suf-
f~ciently Buncombian resolutions of their
own. AS usual. the Populist platform out
shines the ~sideshows, although the original
brightness was somewhat pared.
The Kansas Populists laud their Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress for
opposing 1.-THE i~ssuance of Understanding
bonds and the encroachment of corporate
power upon the rights of the people,"
" 1nterest-bearing bonds" and "encroach-
ment of corporate power" are prescribed
formulas found in all good Populist plat
forms and belonging to the hieratio Ian.
guage of Populisn. The same may be
said OF the initiative and referendum and
proportional representation, large, larynx-
stretching terms, present in this platform
and regarded as charms and amulets.
The Kansas Populists flavor the public
ownership of all public utilities, and de-
mand the public ownership and operation
of all m%onopolies." Surely a good, wide
swath of Socialism, that.
Corporate power is again prodded in this
resolutions:
I'VE demand the enactment of q freight-rate law
giving to o court of railway commissioners. to be
elected by the people. the power to M rates and
clRSSincations of railways, and the further power to
compel the railways to make full reports with refer.
ence to their business"
Here was a neglected opportunity to
thump the Supreme Court of the United
States for holding that n railroad corpora
tion has a right to make a living and that
rates prescribed must be reasonable.
OF course free and unlimited 10 to l and
the issue of legal tender notes instead of
interest-bearing bonds are recommended.
The Republicans in Congress are rebuked
"for the unanimity with which they have
followed the dictation of foreign and do.
nestle bondholders in voting against an
income tax and the one-fourth of l per
cent. on railroad corporations which are
being enriched by Government contracts,
and also their refusal to tax Wall street
transactions"
The Kansas Populists have been used ia
getting from z to 10 per cent. and up,
ward for the money which they lend, and
they have no patience with the bloated
bondholder, especially if he subscribes for
twenty dollars worth of the new 3 pei
cents. Wall street transactions are pretty
stiffiy taxed in one way OF another by the
War Revenue act, but why do the Kansas
Populists complains Wall street transac
tions are held to be inIquitous by them,
Ought the Government to derive an income
from the crimes of the money ~changers2
A resolution for the establishing of State
stock yards was cut out, although stock
yards may be regarded as public utili
ties" and Populists call existing stock
yards monopolies. An idea already put
forth in miniature by the Silver Republican
Insurance Commissioner, the gifted WE
MoNALL, appeared In this resolution:
ave demand that the State of Kansas shall pro
vide insurance protection. both fire and life. as
State function, at cost"
The State Constitution was to be altered
for this purpose. Unfortunately consider
ations of public utility and anti-monopoIy
yielded to fear Of the fraternal insurance
orders. The word 'life" was struck out
and the words lightning and tornado
were inserted in its place. In neglectinl
to add hail, drought, and grasshoppers'
the Populists missed a noble opportunity