Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-08-23
popuI1sr NATIONAL rLArvoRn.

IL,
form of the party in 1892. We recognize that
through the conniyance OF the present and
preceding administrations the country nae
reached crisis in it's national life as predlotod
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 hnanota
and industrial indeT endence IL vet to be ut
tanned by restoring to our country the constf-
necessary to peoples government, which
functions have been bssely surrendered by
our public servants to corporate monopo-
changers has been more potent in shaping
legislation than the voice of the American
people. Executive power and patronage
and defeat the will of the people. and plutoc-
racy has thereby been enthroned upon the
ruins of democracy. To restore the govern
ment intended by the fathers. and for the well
fare of this and future generations, we demand
the establishment of an economic and nnan-
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 a 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
ernment.
Second-We demand the free and unre-
stricted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio of sixteen TO one, without wait
ing for the consent of foreign nations.
Third-We demand that the volume of cir
culating medium be speedily increased to an
amount sufficient to meet the 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 anu
the increase of the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration as
unnecessary ana without authority of law,and
that no more bonds be issued except by epe-
chic act of congress-.
Fifth-we demand such legislation as will
prevent the decentralization 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
| ing this option to the holders of government
obligations.
Sevepth-we demand 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 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.
! TRANSPORTATION.
First-Transportation being means of ey-
change and necessity, the governmentshou
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 aud that the
| tyranny and political power now exercised by
| the great railroad corporations which result
| / n the Impairment, 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 man.
| ner consistent with sound public policy
! Second-The interest of the United States in
the public highways built with public moneys
and the proceeds of extensive grants of land
| to the Pacific railroads. should never be alien
| ated, mOrtgaged or sold, but guarded and pro-
| tected for the general welfare, as 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
payment thereof by the debtor companies land
| 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 II they can be purchased at q reasonable
| price, and the government shall operate said
| railroads as public highways for .he 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 freights.
Third-We denOunce the present Infamous
| schemes for refunding 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 tho post Office
| system, being necessity for the transmission
| of news, should be owned and operated by
| the government in the interests of the people.
LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the ma
nonal and state legislation shall be such az
viii ultimately enable every prudent and in
dustrious citizen to secure home, and there
fore the land should not be mopopolized for
speculative purposes All lands now held by
railroads and other corporations in excess OF
their actual needs should by lawful means be
reclaimed by the government and held for ac-
tual settlers only and pri Jate land monopoly,
| as well as alien ownership. should be prohib-
tied.
Second-we condemn the frauds by which
n rafl rf,a
have, through the cOnnivance of the interior
department, robbed multitudes of actual bona
hde settlers of their homes and miners OF tbor
claims. and we demand legislation by congress
which 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, an
provided i'm the national homestead law and
that no exception be made i'm the case o. In
dian reservations when opened for settlement,
and that all lands now patented come under
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor a
system Of direct LEGISLATION through the initis
tive and referendum under proper constitu
uona safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS
First-We demand the election of president.
vice president and United States senators by a
direct vote of the people.
Second-Ee tender to the patriotic people Of
Cuba our deepest sympathy in their struggle
for political freedom and Independence, and
we believe the time has come when the United
States, the great republic of the world, should
recognize tnat CUBA Is, and OF right ought to
be- a free and independent state.
Third-We favor home rulein the territories
and the District of ColumbIa.a and the early ad-
mission of the territories states.
FOurth-All public salaries should bt made
to correspond to the price of labor and its pro-
ducts.
- Fifth-In these times of Industrial depres
sion idle labor should be employed on public
works as far as practicable.
SiXth-The arbitrary course of the courts in
assuming to imprisOn citizens for in direct con-
tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
be prevented by proper legislation.
Seventh-We favor just pensions for every
disabled Union soldier.
Eighth Believing that the elective franchise
eminent of, for and by the people the Peoples
party condemns the wholesale system of dis
REIMBURSEMENT adopted in some of the states
as un-repubiican and un-democratic, aud we
declare il to be the duty of the several states
legislatures to take such action will secure
full free and fair ballot and an honest count
Ninth-W bile the foregoing propositions con-
stitute the platform upon which our party
stands. and for the vIndication of which it's or
ganiZatiOn will be maintained, we recognize
that the great and pressing issue of the pend
ing campaign upon which the present presj-
dental election will turn is the financial cues
ton. and upon this great and specific issue be-
and cooperation of all organizations and Cit
zens agreeing with US upon this vital ques.
ton.
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