Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-07-04
AN ADDRESS FINALLY ADOPTED
1T IS A MODERNIZED VERSION OF
THE OMAHA PLATFORM.
Kicks Against All Existing Things
and Invites the Public at Large
to Save Itself Before 1t Is
EverlastinS1y Too
Late.

autocracy, was adopted by the social and
political conference to-day, but the vote
was subsequently reconsidered, after
number of addresses Ienouncing such ac-
ton. Pandemonium ensued, as motion af-
ter motion followed and speaker after
speaker was heard or suppressed. Finally
an address to the public was taken up seri-
atm. From time to time some delegate
would arise in a state of desperation, try
ing to protest against the language of the
address.
The first paragraph denounced "the war
of conquest and determination" The
word determination" was stricken out.
The words "lawless and irresponsible"
were stricken from the paragraph refer
ring to military control in Idaho.
The address as adopted refers to "the
| two great evils of militarism and plutoc
racy which now menace the existence of
| the republic" r.
| The former, 1t declares, is expressed in
our war of conquest in the Philippines;
| in our continued government of Cuba: in
the private use of the United States army
| for the cimplete and instant overthrow of
| civil government in Idaho, and the estab-
| lishment of military despotism in the cor
| porate and private use of military force to
| destroy and terroriZe organized labor and
in the "monstrous public corruptions that
| have grown out of our Spanish and Phil
| ippine wars
1.-The nation" the address continues,
that strikes at the liberties of another
nation commits national suicide. We can
not too greatly emphasize the fact that the
militarism that seeks conquest abroad has
| for its ultimate purpose the destruction of
organized labor at home and the defense of
government by injunctions of the federal
| courts which have usurped the functions of
legislation and have set aside the laws of
the land"
An appeal is made to the public to join
| in the demand for the granting of the liber-
ties pledged to the Filipinos. Militarism
is declared to be but the offspring and in
cident of the greater menace Of pluto
cracy, which has established monopoly gov
ernment."
"By economic force based upon special
privileges in law and natural resources,
upon indiscreet taxation, and consequent
political competition the address conrin-
ues, monopoly is centralizing the wealth
of the nation in .the hands of enormous
trusts, which are becoming irresponsible
economic despotisms; which are using leg
islation, the judiciary and all the functions
of government as the mere instruments of
private profit; which are reducing the en-
tire people to economic serfdom or en-
forced wage slavery.
Political liberty the address declares
| Is d IHOCheTy WITHOUT eCOuOHllC uUeTly.
Even the further extension of the suffrage
so as to grant political citizenship to
women. which extension we urge and ad,
vocate, will avail little or nothing without
economic freedom to all.
I've therefore make urgent appeal to the
q people to cooperate with us in the tnsti
. tuition of such movements and the support
of such men as shall propose, first. direc
! legislation and proportional representatio
direct taxation, public ownership OF pubic
, utilities or monopolies growing out Of nat
ural resources and the existence of society
: the sole control by the people, through thsi
OF 1heT snG or
lishment Of O. free, just and progressive
: society based on these elemental principles
of political and social democracy we we one
peal to the good will inherent in the asso
citation of men for liberty and the common
3 good"
Another resolution considered was the on
indorsing what is known as the Buchanan
plan," which provides that the reformer
pledge themselves to support and vote 10
the party that puts into Its platform tn
reform of reforms most desired by the re
! formers.
A general discussion followed. after whicl
the resolution was adopted, 100 to 36.
The Union Reform League was next dis
cussed and resolutions in favor of unitin
, educationally in favor of direct legislation
8 public ownership. single tax and incom
: tax were presented by Rev. Mr.. Bliss an
d adopted.
a A resolution declaring that women shoul
!, vote on equal terms with men was unani
|. mously carried.
s Philadelphia was selected as the mex
! place of meeting, to take place January
o 1900.
g At the afternoon session President Georg
u a A. Gates, of Iowa, presented a resoluto
e favoring a permanent organization wit
!. | annual meetings. This was adopted an
:, the chair appointed committee on orgar
- ization. The committee on resolutions pre-
II lsented long preamble and resolution abou
~ the 'inhuman and inexcusable war of cor
i quest in the Philippines" declaring sue
=, war to be an "affront to every sentimer
a of humanity, denial of the essential prir
~ ciple of justice and a reputation of tf
:. fundamental theory of our American go'
ernment."
This was carried by a vote of 81 to "a.
A resolution authorizing the conferene
to appoint committee of five Ito TAX
lsuch legal steps as may be necessary
stop the Philippine war. and to add to II
l. numbers Charles Fred Adams, Senate
George F. Hoar, John G. Milburn, Edwi
D. Mead and Roderick Smith" was table
by an almost unanimous vote.
=, Resolutions opposing "all laws :tendfn
= to limit or abridge the suffrage of Anne
te lean citizens. or seeking to place undo
y, partisan control the machinery of ele'
le tons" indorsing the ten commandment
ID expressing belief in heaven, opposfr
he tion as one of the means of industrial r
forms and declaring that all money shou
be issued by the government only, were d.
clared carried.
TO A resolution declaring that I'VE are o.
ch posed to the licensing of the liquor bus
ne ness was tabled.
he The conference was then declared close
e ATLANTA'S MAYOR 'FESSES vi