Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-08-02


The Peoples party. assembled in nationsl
conventions reafirms its allegiance to the
principles declared by the founders of the re-
public. and also TO the fundamental principles
form of the party in 1872 We recognize that
through The conniyance 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 we
have political Independence. our fnancia
and industrial indeT endeuce is vet to be at
tanned by restoring to our country the consti-
necessary to peoples government, which
functions have been basely surrendered by
oar public servants to corporate monopo-
lies The influence of European money
changers has been more potent in shaping
legislation than the voice of the American
people Executive power and patronage
have been used to corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the will of the people. and plutoc-
raeS has thereby been enthroned upon the
ment intended by the fathers, and for the wei
fare OF this and future generations, we demand
the establishment of an economic and finan-
eliii system which shall make us masters OF
our own affairs and independent of European
control by the adoption of the following dec-
larotion of principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand national money, safe
ana sound. issued by the general government
sue 10 be a full legal tender for all debts pub
lie and private-a just, equitable and ef3ciept
means of distribution direct to the people and
ernmeut.
Second-we demand the free and unre.
strieted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
enJ legal ratio OF sixteen to one, without wait
ing for the consent of foreign nations
Ihird-We demand that the volume of cir
cuiatiDg medium be speedily increased to an
amount suihcient to meet the demands OF the
business and population of this country and
to restore the just level of prices of labor and
production.
Foarth-We denounce the sale of bonds NO
the Increase of the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration AZ
| unnecessary ana without authority of isw.and
thar no more bonds be issued except by spe-
ellie act of CONGRESS-.
F1fth-We demand such legislation as will
prevent the characterization of the lawful
money OF the United States by private con-
SiNth-We demand that the government in
payment 81 its obligations shall use its option
as ~ The kind of lawful money in which thew
are to- be paid. and we denounce the present
and preceding administrations for Surrender.
ing TINS option TO the holders of governments
Obligations.
TAX 10 the end that aggregated wealth shall
bear It's just proportion of taxation, and we
regard tue recent decision of tie supreme
court relative 10 the income tax la as a mia
Interpretation of the constitution and an in
Naslon of the rightful powers of congress over
the subject of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal sayinrs
banks be established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings of the peopI
TRANSPORTATION.
INSTRUMENTATION being means of ex-
Change aud n necessity, the govern ment shouts
own and operate the railroads i'm the Interest
OF the people ana 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
II the Impairment, if not the destruction of
the political rights and personal liberties of
the citizen, may be destroyed. Such owner
snip Is to be accomplished gradually i'm "A man
ner consistent with sound public policy.
Second-The interest of the United States I'm
| the public highways built with public moneys
and the proceeds of extensive grants of land
to the Pacific railroads, should never be alien
ated, Inortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tected Tor the general welfare. as provided by
the laws ORGANIZING such railroads, The fore
closure of existing liens of the United States
oh these roads should at once follow defauIti in
payment thereof by the debtor companies land
at the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
crnment should purchase the same III il he
comes necessary to protect its interests there
III. or ii they can be purchased at q 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
OF life and property, giving to all transporta-
ton interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and treights.
Third-We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunding these debts, and de-
mnud that the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit.
system, being necessity for the transmission
OF news. should he owned and operated by
the government in the interests of the people.
LAND.
! First-the true policy demands that the ma
tonal aud state legislation shall be such al
Wlll Ultimately enable every prudent and in
dustrlouS citizen 10 secure q home, and there
tore the land should not be moaopolized 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-
! tnai settlers only, and pri Jate land monopoly.
n wen Ms AMEN ownership. should DO prohb-
Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants to Pacific railroad companies
nave, through the connivanee of the interior
department, robbed multitudes of actual bona
fide settlers of their homes and miners of their
Claims and we demand legislation by courress
winch Will enforce the exemption of mineral
land from such grants, after as well as before
patent,
Third-We demand that all bona fide settlers
on all public lands be granted free homes "A
provided III the national homestead law and
that no exception be made in the case Of In
dian reservations when opened for settlement.
and that all lands now patented come under
this demand.
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor a
system OF direct Legislation through the initia
tive thd referendum under proper copstitu
uonal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS
First--We demand the election OF president.
vice president and United States senators BY q
direct vote of the people.
Second-We tender to the patriotic peonle ~
Cuba our deepest sympathy in their struggle
Tor political freedom and Independence and
we believe the time has come when the United
states, the great republic of the world, should
recognize that Cuba is, and of right ought to
be. Il free and independent state.
1hIrd-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
TO correspond to the price of labor and It's pro-
duets.
asFifth-in these times of industrial depres-
sion Idle labor should be employed ON public
works as far as practicable.
SlXth-Ihe arbitrary course of the courts In
assuming 10 imprison citizens for indirect con-
tempt and ruling them by injunction should
be prevented by proper legislation.
Scventh-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Eighth Believing 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
rs un-republican and un-democratic aud we
declare il to be the duty of the several states
legislatures to take such action will secure
Il fol-, free and fair ballot and an honest count
Ninth W lille the foregoing propositions con-
stituie the platform upon which our party
Stands. and for the yIndication of which its or
gaTiLatlOn will be maintained, we recognize
ing campaign upon which the present preei-
Spntial election will turn is the financial uues-
ton and uoon this great and specific issue be-
tween the parties we cordially invite the aid
and cooperation of all organizations and citt-
Hens agreeing with US upon this vital cues.
ton.
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