Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-01-19


IN our declaration four years ago. ana fhSe
5 5rompt ana PATRIOTIC action is the supreme
b bex OF me hour. We realize that while NC
nave poh1cai indcpendencee. our financisl
end industrial Independence is vet to re A.
ta,neo oy restoring TO our country the consfi-
control and exercise OF the functions
22ocessary 70 peoples government which
functions have been bssely SURRENDERED n
Eas punnc servants to corporate monopo-
changers has been more potent in shenioS
iegisiation than the voice of the American
PeoPle. executive power and PATRONAGE
uase oecn USED 10 corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the will OF the people and ninfor-
racy has thereby been enthroned upon fhr
r rsa,s OF democracy: To restore the govern
ment intended by the fathers, and for the wei
fare OF this and future generations we dem.nd
the establishment OF an economic and IMAM
our own affairs and independent of Enronssn
control. by the adoption of the following dec
laration OF principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand a national money s.fa
and sound, issued by the general goyernment
only, without the Intervention OF banks OF is-
sue 10 De fun legal tender for all debts pub
means of distribution direct to the peonle ana
tnrougn the lawful disbursements Of the gov
Second-We demand the fraa ana -
stricted coinage of silver and gold an the pre-
ent legal ratio of sixteen to one without watt
ing LOT the consent OF foreign nations.
Tnird-We demand that the volume of cir-
amount suncient TO meet the demands OF the
business and population of this country and
20 restore the just level of prices of labor and
Fourth-we denounce the sale of honda ana
the increase of the public interest bearing
,nna naee Dy ine present administration as
mat no more bonds be issued exceDt NV sDe-
cific act of congress- ~ ~
Fffth-We demand such legislation M will
prevent the characterization of the lawful
money or the United States by private con-
tract. NO
Sixth-We demand that the government, an
payment of its obligations shall use its onfion
as TO the kind of lawful money in which fhev
are 10 De PAID, and we denounce the present
ana preceding administrations for surrender-
ing TINS option to the holders Of government
obligations.
Seventh-we demand graduated income
TAX 10 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 a mis-
Interpretation of the constitution and an in
vasion of the rightful powers of congress- over
the subject of taxation.
Elghth-We demand that postal sayfnrn
banks be established by the noyernment To-
the safe deposit of the savings of the peopl
and TO facilitate exchange.
TRANSFORMATION.
INSTRUMENTATION being a means of az
cnange ana a 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 aud that the
tyranny and political power now exercised nv
the great railroad corporations which result
In the impairment, If not the DESTRUCTION az
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 pubic highways built with public moneys
ana the proceeds of extensive grants OF land
to the Pacific railroads. should never he alien
ated. mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tected Tor the general welfare, as provided by
m nlr rail- lo g.
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 IL they can be purchased at q reasonable
price, and the government shall operate eafd
railroads a public highways for the benefit OF
the whole people and not in the interest of the
de e unaer suitable provisions for protection
OF lie and property. giving to all trans porta-
ton interests equal privileges and equal rafes
for fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present Infamous
schemes for refunning these dobts and Do
mand that the laws now applicable thereto he
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit.
Fourth-The telegraph, like the post ONCE
system, being necessity for the transmission
OF news, should be owned and operated BY
the government In the interests OF tho people.
LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the ma
uonal and state Legislation shall be such a.
Will ultimately enable every prudent and in
dustriOus citizen to secure a home and there.
tore the land should not be moRopolized for
speculative purposes. All lands now held nv
railroads and other corporations in excess of
their actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held for ac-
tual settlers only, and pri Jate land monopoly.
as well as alien ownership, should be prohib.
tied.
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to Pacific railroad Companies
have, through the connivance of the interior
department, robbed multitudes of actual bona
nde settlers OF their homes and miners of their
claims, and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption OF mineral
land from such grants, after as well as before
Third-we demand that all bona f,de settI.r.
on all public lands be granted free homes az
provided In the national homestead law and
mat no exception be made in the case o. In
dian reservations when opened for settlement,
ana that all lands now patented come under
this demand.
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor n
system of direct legislation through the initia-
tive aid referendum under proper constItu-
uonal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
First-We demand the election of president.
vice president and United States senators by n
direct vote of the people.
Second-We tender to the patriotic people of
Cuoa our deepest sympathy in their struggle
Tor ponucal 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 tn
be. free and independent state.
Th1rd-We favor home rule in the territories
and the District OF Columbia and the early ad-
mission of the territories as states
Fourth-All public salaries should be made
10 correspond to 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 IN direct con-
tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
be prevented by proper legislation.
Seventh-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Misunderstanding that the elective franchise
and untrammeled ballot are essential to gov-
eminent of, for and by the people. the Peoples
party condemns the wholesale system of dis
franchisement adopted In some of the states
as un-republican and un-democratic aud we
declare IL to be the duty of the several states
legislatures to take such action as will secure
full free and fair ballot and an honest count.
Ninth-whiie the foregoing propositions con
stitute the platform upon which our party
stands. and for the yIndication of which its or
ganiZation will be maintained. we recognize
that the great and pressing issue Of the pend
ing campaign upon which the present presf-
dental election will turn Is the financial uues-
tion- and upon this great and specific issue be-
tween the parties we cordially invite the aid
and cooperation of all organizations q pcitf-
n ffal