Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-10-12
The Last
Legislature,


Kansas to Judge the POpulist Legis-
lature OF 1897, by this rule. At the
outset we desire to say that no Iegis-
lature in the history OF Kansas has
ever passed so many wise and bene-
fictal measures since the admission OF
the state into the Union and we cite
the statute book of 1897 in proof.
Two elements enter into legisla-
tiOn, especially in kansas-man and
money. For years money, us rep
resented by great corporations, has
received the attention OF our law
makers to the exclusion of the man,
and the interest of humanity. The
legislature OF 1897 reversed the order
and gave some attention to the in
terest OF the great common people,
who have by their labor, economy
and enterprise made Kansas a great
commonwealth. The Republican
party from the time of it's first sue
ces has drifted more and more
toward the power of money until, at
the present time the dollar dOmin-
ates the party and dictates it's every
act. Corporations control it's legis-
latiOn, state and national. The
Peoples Party, on the other hand, is
made up of individuals who believe
that the people are entitled to as
great consideration, at least, as the
corporations.
Upon these lines the battle of 1896
was fought and won, and the legis-
lature OF 1897, came into power
through that victory, In which we
Were ably assisted by our allies, the
Democrats and Silver Republicans,
whose national conventions enunci-
ated advanced views on the financial
question in line with those held by
all refOrmers who believe the people
are entitled to as much consideration
as is granted the corporations.
Actuated by these motives the PeO-
pies Party members of the legisla-
ture of 1897, entered upon their du-
ties, realizing the impOssibility OF
curing all the evils in the short space
of fifty days that thirty years of vi
ciOus legislation and neglect had
bred. The results show an honest
effort, with great good accomplished
and with the start made, opens the
way for the continuation of the work
In the interest OF the producers and
labOrers, by further legislation.
THE ANTI-PINKERTON LAW.
The interest of labor were carefully
guarded. One of the impOrtant laws
In its interest was that known as
the Anti-PinkertOn law. (See page
go, Session Laws.) The Peoples
Larty believes that the officers of the
state can preserve the peace and up
hold the dignity of law without in
vOking the aid of hirelings and en-
issaries of the corporations brought
from outside the state. Remembering
Homestead, Occur de- Allen, the great
railway strike at Buffalo, New York,
al
which occurred under the benificient
(?) effects of the Mckinley tariff law
passed in the interest of labor (?) the
Peoples Party made itimpossible to
employ outside hirelings to shoot
down in cold blood and without
authority the railroad employees or
miners of Kansas.
TO PROTECT LABOR ORGANIZA-
TIONS.
Labor organizations have been
asking for law to prevent discrim-
nations against their members and
to protect them against coercion
and discharge because of such con-
nection. The last Legislature needed
their demands and gave them such a
law (see page 226 Session Laws)
LabOring men who favor liberty will
not vote to turn down party that
favors broadening their rights.
CONTEMPT OF COURT.
The Imprisonment of Eugene V.
Debs and his companions for months
I'm a Chicago jail for contempt OF
court, and hundreds of other cases of
less note where men have been
thrown into prison and denied a
trial by jury is fresh in the minds of
the lahOring people. Chapter 106.
page 20J, will forever prevent such
occurrences in Kansas and in such
cases grants every man the right of a
trial by jury and restricts the power
of judges and courts in such cases.
What will the labCring men do for
this party and their friends in NOvem-
Der?
BLACKLISTING.
The Legislature went further in be-
half of humanity and passed law,
(See page 3d. to prevent blacklist
ing OF the labOring man in Kansas
and providing for the collection OF
damages in sum three times as
great AZ he may be injured. How
will the labOring man who has been
blacklisted in the past. vote this year?
ANTI SCRIPT LAW.
On the very next page 1913, is a law
TO secure to labOrers the payment OF
their wages, and prevent the issuing
of script and store orders. The Re.
publican legislature of 1887 made an
attempt to cure this evil, but like al
their work in the interest of labor
the bill was so bunglingly drawn as
TO be imperative. The Peoples Par
ty law has stood the test of the
courts and will be a benefit to labor
The laboring man will scarcely vote
TO give the Republicans a further
chance to blunder with laws in Their
interest.
SAFETY OF MINERS.
The interests of the miner was
looked after and at the request from
them a law was passed providing fol
their health and safety while EN-
plOyed under ground and seeking to
prutect them from the carelessness
and greed of the mine owners. (See
page S59)
PROTECTION OF MOTORNEERS
In line with this same policy Of
looking after the interests of the lab
Oring man is the one at page 500 re
Quiring street car companies to yes
Thule their cars so that the motor
neers may be protected from the cold
and storm while doing their duty.