The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-27

rial aspects, since by the incompetence
and corruption which have attended its
| prosecution it has cost the nation
heavy in blood and treasure, while the
notorious and scandalous misappropri
alton of money has resulted in an enor-
nous deficit in the federal treasury
I'VE demand that the Filpinos as the
Cubans. shall be said to-day that they
are and of right ought to be free and
independent, and we hold that such ii
declaration, coupled with the express
sion of the purpose of the United States
to protect the islands from the assaults
of any foreign power, would speedily
restore order, purge our national honor
of the stain put upon it by injustice
and bad faith, and advance American
trade in the far East
Back of the gaudy trappings of i'm
perial turks the less spectacular but
more terrifying form of militarism.
Against a great standing army, the
democracy, both of state and nation,
has resolutely set its face, but in the
reiterated demands for more and more
troops to subdue the Tagalos may be
detected the purpose to have ultimately
more soldiers to employ at home. AL
ready all free people Of the world gaze
in amazement at the facility with which
monopolistic corporations in the United
States are able to secure the aid of
armed forces, both state and federal. to
overawe their workingmen in time of
labor dissensions.
Tn Imperialism and militarisn the
great monopolistic corporations, whose
growth astounds and alarms the peo-
pie. discern twin agencies for their de-
Tense.
I'VE pledge ourselves to give due trial
to such remedies as may hasten the dis
Indignation of trusts-for example, a
compulsory system Of publicity for all
trust records and accounts; a federal
law prohibiting a monopoly from maxi
ing more divergent prices for it's pro-
ducts in different parts of the country
than are warranted by differing freight
rates, thus preventing underselling In
one state to drive out competitors at
the expense of the consumer in other
states where the monopoly is complete;
and more rigid enforcement of the
law against railroad Determinations,
pending the actual government owner
ship and operation of all railroads,
which this convention demands
THE commonwealth of Massachu-
chase the Boston & Albany railroad at
price virtually equivalent to the par
value of the stock. The present owners
of that property contemplate leasing it
for ninety-nine years to one of the
great railroad trusts of the nation in
consideration Of guaranteed rental
exceeding per cent upon the capital
This lease will come before the legisla-
rat Nd
would in fact, if not in terms, sacrifice
the option now possessed by the state.
Therefore. we demand that the leg
islature refuse its consent to the pro-
posed lease, and that immediate steps
be taken for the exercise by the state
of its right to purchase the road and
for the determination of the best meth
cd by which the property thus acquired
shall be managed"
The platform favors direct legislation,
the initiative and refendum; the cleo
ton of United States senators by direct
vote of the people. and the enforce
cent of an eight-hour workday; the
abolition of the law granting life ten
ure to members of the judiciary, and
4 the public ownership and operation of
| street railways, water works and other
| municipal business enterprises. 1t closes
| as follows:
1--WE send to our gallant and indomit-
| able leader, Col. william Jennings
| Bryan, our congratulations and our
| gratitude for the gallant fight which
| ever since the first enunciation of the
principles of 1896 he has waged In their
defense, and we pledge to him our I'M
faltering loyalty and our untiring CO.
| operation in his political endeavors."