Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-02-01
popu11sr Ma T1oNAL PLATFORM.


POPULIST Ma TIONAL PLATFORM.
The Peoples party, assembled in nationa
convention reaftirms its allegiance to the
public, and also to the fundamental PRINCIPLES
of just government. as enunciated in the plat
form OF the party in 1892. We recognize that
through the cOnniyanoe 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 nOur We realize that while VIC
nave political indcpe noencee. our financial
ana industrial Independence is yet 10 be at
tafned by restoring 70 our country the constf-
tutionai control aud exercise OF the functions
necessary 70 q peoples government which
functions have been b2scly surrendered by
our public servants IN 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 aud patronage
nave oeea useh 10 corrupt our legislatures
and defeat the viii OF the people. and piutoe-
racy has thereby been onthToued upon the
ruins OF democracy. To restore the govern
ment INTENDED by the IA hers. and for the well
fare OF this and future generations we demand
the establishment Of an economic and finnn-
cial system, which shall make us masters of
our own affairs and independent of European
control by the adoption of the following dec-
iar9tion of principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand national money, safe
and sound. issued by the general government
only. without the Intervention of banks of is
sue TO be full legal tender for all debts pub
lie and private-a just. equitable and efficient
means of distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
eminent
Second-We demand the free and uure-
stricted coinage of silver and gold ar the pres
ent legal ratio of six teen TO one- without watt
ing for the consent OF foreign nations.
Third-Wc demand that the volume of cir
Gu lating medium be speedily increased to an
amount sufficient 10 meet he demands of the
business and population of this country and
To restore the just level of prices of labor and
production.
Fourth-we denounce the sale of bonds and
the increase OF the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration as
unnecessary ana without authority of Iaw,and
that no more bonds be issued except by spe-
citic act OF coueress.
Fifth-we demand such legislation as will
prevent the demonstration of the lawful
money of the United States by private con-
tract.
Sixth-We demand that the governments in
payment Of its obligations, shall use its option
as to the kind of lawful money in which thew
are to DC paid, and We denounce the present
and preceding administrations for surrender
Ing this option TO the holders of governments
obligations.
Seventh-We demand O graduated income
tax to 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-
interpre tation of the constitution and an in
vasion of the rightful powers of congress over
the subject of taxation.
Eighth-We demand that postal savings
hanks be established by the government for
the safe deposit of the savings of the peopl
and 20 facilitate exchange.
TRANSPORTATION
neutrality-suspicious. being a means of ex
change and necessity the govern ment shouli
own and operate the railroads in the interest
OF the people and on a 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 fidiTcad corporations. which result
u the impairment II not tie destruction. OF
the political rights and personal liberties of
the citizen may be destroyed. Such owner
ship is to be accom- piished gradually in man
Second-fhe interest OF the United States in
the public highways built with public moneys
and the proceeds of extensive grants of land
to the Pa :ific railroads, should never be alien
ated. motgaged ar sold. but guarded and pro-
tected for the general welfare, provided by
the laws organ iZiug such railroads. The fore
closure of existing liens of the United States
on these roads should at once follow defaultiu
payment thereof by the debtor com panes ;and
at the foreclosure sales of said roads the gov
eminent should purchase the same il il be-
comes necessary TO protect its interests there
in, or iftrler can be purchased at a reasonable
price, ;sid the government shall operate said
railroads as public highways for The benefit Of
the VIII Jle people ami not in the interest of the
few. under suitable provisions for protection
of life ard property, giving to all Transports
ton Interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and treights.
Ihird-We depounce the present Infamous
schemes for refuuaing these debts. and de-
mand that the laws now applicable thereto be
executed and administered according to their
true intent and spirit.
Fourth-The telegraph like tic post Office
system, being q necessity for the transmission
of news, should he owned and operated by
the government III the interests OF tho people.
LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the ma
tional ana state legislation shall be such as
Will Ultimately enable every prudent and in
dustriouS citizen 10 secure home. and there
fore the land should not be moHopolized for
speculative purposes. Ali lands now held by
railroads and other corporate lions in excess OF
their actual needs should 1y lawful means be
reclaimed ba the government and held for ac-
tual settlers only. and pri ate land monopoly,
as wen as alien ownership, should be prohib-
tied.
Seeond-We condemn The frauds by which
the land grants To Pacific railroad companies
have, through the cOnnivanee OF the interior
department. robbed muItifudes of actual bona
fde settlers OF their homes and miners OF their
claims. and we demand legislation by congress
which will enforce the exemption of mineral
lana from such grants, after as well as before
patent.
Third-We demand that ell bona fde settlers
on all public lands be granted tree homes az
provided in the national homestead law, aud
that no exception be made in the case o. In.
dian reservations when opened for settlement,
and that al lands now patented come under
this demand.
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor .
system Of direct legislation through the ipitia
rive ard referendum under proper conetitu
tfonai safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
Eirst--We demiand the election of president
vice president and United States senators by
direct vote OF the people.
Second-8e tender 10 the patriotic peoIi lie Of
CUBA our deepest sympathy in their struggle
for political freedom and Independence and
states the great republic of tire world, should
recognize that Cuba Is, and of right ought to
be, a free and independent state.
1hird-t.e favor home fiiie in the territories
and the District Of Columbia and the early ad.
mission OF the territories as states.
Fonrth-Ali public salaries should be- made
ducts.
Fifth-in these times of industrial depres-
sion idle labor should be employed ON public
works far d practicable.
Sfxth-The arbitrary course of the courts in
assuming 10 iIDprisOn citizens for indirect 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 Gntrammeied ballot are essential to gov.
eminent Of for and by the people, the Peoples
party condemns the wholesale system Of dis.
as un-repuDiicaD and un-democratic. aud We
declare IL to BE- the duty OF tie several states,
legislatures 10 take such action as will secure
fuii-free and fair ballot ead an honest count.
Ninth-V hiie the foregoing propositions con-
steiute the Platform upon which our party
glands, and for the vIndication of which its or.
ganizafion will be maintained we recognizes
that the great aud pressing issue of the pend.
ing campaign upon which the present presj.
Dental election will turn is the fna ncial uues-
ton. and upen this great and specific issue be.
tween the part IS we cordially invite the aid
and cooperation Of all organizations and elf, s
ton.