Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-11-15
poPuL1sT NATIONAL PLArrosM.


convention. reafIisms its allegiance to the
principles declared by the founders OF the re-
public, and also to the Fundamental principles
of just government. as enuaciated In the plat
form OF the party In 1892. We recognizes shat
through the conniyance of the present and
preceding administrations the country has
reached a crisis in its aationaft life as predicted
In our declara alton four years ago, and that
promptand patriotic action is The supreme
duty or the hour. We realize that while we
have political Independence, our fiuancia
and industrial indies ensleuce is yet 10 he at
talned by restoring 10 our country the consfi-
tutioual control and exercise of the functions
necessary to peoDie's government which
functions have been basely surrendered by
our public servants 10 corporate munop5-
lies. The influence of European money
changers has been more patent in sharing
legislation than the voice of the American
people Executive power and patronage
have been used to corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the viii OF the people. ard plutoc-
racy has thereby been enthrored upon the
ruins of democracy. TO restore the revern-
| ment INTENDED by the fathers. and for the wei
fare of this aud future generations we demand
the establishment of an economic and finan-
cial system, which shall make US masters of
our own affairs and independent of European
control by the adoption of the following dec
laration of principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand national money safe
ana sound, Issued by the general government
only, without the Intervention of banks of is
sue to be a full legal tender for all debts pub
lie and priyate-a just, equitable aud efficient
means OF distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
ernment.
| Second-We demand the free aud uure.
stricted coinage of silver and gold ar the pres
ent legal ratio OF sixteen TO one, without wait
| ing for the consent OF foreign nations
Third-We demand that tho volume of cir
| cuiating medium be speedily increased TO an
amount sufficient 10 meet the demands OF the
business and population CT this country and
10 restore the Just Level of prices of labor and
production.
Fcurth-we denouncc the sale of bonds ana
| the Increase of the public interest bearing
| debt made by the present administration as
unnecessary ana without authority of iaw,and
thSt no more bonds be issued except by spe-
| citic act of CONGRESS.
| Fifth-We demand such legislation as will
prevent the characterization of the lawful
| money of the United States by private con-
] tract.
Sixth-We demand that the government. in
payment OF its obligations, shall use its option
| as to the kind OF lawful money in which they
are to be paid. and we denounce the present
] and preceding administrations for surrender
obligations.
| Seventh-We demand graduated income
TAX 10 the end that aggregated wealth shall
pear Its Just proportion of taxation, and we
regard the recent decision of tie supreme
| court relative TO the income tax law a mis-
Interpretation of the constitution and an in
| vasion of the rightful powers of congress- over
| the subject of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal savings
| banks be established by the government for
/ the safe deposit of the savings of the peopl
/ and to facilitate exchange.
TRANSFORMATION.
| DeiDQ Il means OF y
| cnange ana neeessity,th the governments SHOULD
own and operate the railroads in the interest
| OF the people aud on a non-partisan basis: to
the end that all may be accorded tue same
treatment in transportation and that the
tyranny and political power now exercised by
the great railroad corporations. which result
n the Inn palrment, If not the destruction of
the political rights and personal liberties OF
the citizen, may be destroyed. Such owner
ship is to be accomplished gradually in Il man.
ner consistent with sound public policy
Second-The interest of The United States in
the public highways built with public moneys
ana the proceeds of extensive grants OF land
TO the racine railroads, should never be alien
ated, mortgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
tected Tor the general welfare, provided by
the laws organizing such railroads. The fore
closure OF existing liens of the United States
| on these roads should at once follow default in
pay nent thereof by the debtor com panies ;and
at the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov.
ernment should purchase the same If IL he.
comes necessary to protect its interests there.
H. or IL they can be purchased at 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
Oh NE apd property, giving to all transporter
ton interests equal privileges and equal fafes
for fares and freghts.
Ihird-We depounce the present infarnous
schemes Tor refunding these debts, and de-
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit.
Fourth-The telegraph, like the post Office
system, being necessity for the TIA nsmission
OF news, should be owned and operated by
the government in the interests of Tho people,
LAND.
fifst-the true policy demands that the ma
tlonal and state legislation shall be such as
VIII ultimately enable every prudent and in
9ustrlous citizen to secure q home. and there-
tore the land should not be moaopolized for
speculative purposes All lands now held by.
railroads and other corporations in excess OF
tneir actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held for ac-
tual settlers only. and pri .ate land monopoly
as wen as alien ownership, should be prohib-
Second condemn the frauds by which
the iand grants to Pacific railroad COMMUNITIES
nave, through the cOnnivance OF the Interior
department. robbed multitudes of actual bona
hde settlers CT their homes and miners of their
Chains. aiid we demand legislation by congress
which VIII enforce the exemption OF mineral
land 1roH such grants, after as well as before
Third-Ve demand that all bona fitle settlers
on all public lands be granted free homes as
provided IN the national homestead law and
mat mat no exception be made in the case OF In.
dian reservations when opened for Settlement
this demand. oea
system of direct Legislation through the ins,is'
i've aid referendum under proper consfjttr
uonal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
f1rst--We demand the election of prv.<fsort :
vice president and United States senator's by n
direct vote of the people - =
Seeond-We tender TO the patriotic moo, \. 80
Supa our deepest sympathy in their STRUGGLE
lor political freedom and independence. and
states, the great republic OF the world shoultI
recognize that Cuba is, and of right ouebf ~
oe; a Tree ana independent state
IHlrd-We favor home rule In the re rrff<,r;o~
ano rue Distr1ct OF Columbia. and he early af-
mission OF the territories as states az
fourth-All public salaries should f,e x,a,s-
10 correspond to the price of labor and its pro-
: Fitth-in these times of industrial, aarrs..
sion Idle labor should De employed On MIMI,
works as far as practicable P's
eA.nmIne arbitrary course of the courts in
assuming 10 lmpfieon citizens for In direct s,,,
,,empl ana ruling them by Injunction sho,,ia
pe prevented by proper legislation s1',> 80 ;
oesehtn-We favor Just pension for avory
disa bied Union soldier. W every
Eignth- Beiievipg that the elective frrpohf...
.s,la un.ItIiuleed bal OF are essential To 9ov-
,.a u Oh Tor and by the peopIethe Peoples
REIMBURSEMENT adopted in some. of fhf. sfafe~
~ uh-Iepuoiican and un-democratfs. and we
ceciare II TO be the duty of the SC verst ssafess
leglsihtures 10 take ouch action as viii $500.
iili flee and fair ballot and an honest s.<,.,,
ninlnI@ bile the foregoing propositions s,y,-
e.Hpse the platform upon which r.nr nertv
Hills: ahu ior the vindication OF Wh,cb he or
k,u,i,.ation Will be maintained. We reeovnszo
-; me EIest anu pressing 3sse of the r,fuf1-
Dental election viii tl.rn is the fjra rss.
Tod ANA uncn this great and spesf;iss sss,,s h<s
t~een the phiii p we cordially fnrjse ft,e q n s
hco cooperation of all orsau izatiof,s nj Cit
ton. 1P snie sftht sues
" 81 -