Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-09-13
ropUI1sr NATIONAL PLATFORM.


roPULIsT NATIONAL PLATFORM.
The peoples party, assembled in national
convention. reafiiflns its allegiance to fhe
principles declared by the founders of the re-
public, and also TO the fundamentai prInclpses
Of jusf government, as enunciated In the plat
form of the party in 1892. we recognize tnas
through the couniyance OF the present ana
preceding administrations the country mas
reached crisis in its national life as predicted
in our declaration four years ago, and tnat
prompt and patriotic action Is the supreme
duty of the hour. We realize that while We
have political Independence, our financie
and industrial indies endence is yet to be ut
tanned by restoring to our country the consti-
tutionai control and exercise of the functions
necessary TO Il peoples government. which
functions have been basely surrendered by
our pubic servants 10 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-
ruins of democracy. To restore the govern
ment intended by the fathers, and for the well
fare of this aud future generations, we demand
cial system. which shall make US masters or
our own affairs and independent of European
control. by the adoption of the following dec
lara ton 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 a full legal tender for all debts pub
lie and privafe-a Just, equitable and ef1cteut
means OF distribution direct to the people and
through the lawful disbursements of the gov
ernment.
Seeond-we demand the free and unre-
strlcted coinage of silver and gold at the pres
ent legal ratio of sixteen TO one, without watt
ing Tor the consent of foreign nations
eulating medium he 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 ana
the increase of the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration a.
unnecessary ana without authority of Law, and
that no more bonds be issued except by sps-
cfic act OF congress-.
Fifth-We demand such legislation a. will
prevent the decentralization of the lawful
money of the Uuited States by private con-
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 De paid. and we denounce the present
and preceding administrations for surrender
ing this option 10 the holders of governments
obligations.
Seventh-We demand n graduated income
tex 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-
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
aud TO facilitate exchange.
TRANSFORMATION.
INSTRUMENTATION being means of ey-
change aud necessity, the governmentshOuli
own and operate the railroads in the interest
of the people and 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
1 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 u 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 nv
the laws organizing such railroads. The fore
closure OF existing liens of the United Staten
on these roads should at once follow default in
payment thereof by the debtor com panies 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 IL they can be purchased at reasonable
price. and the government shall operate said
| railroads Is 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-
tlcn interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and freights.
Third-We denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunuing 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 the 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
tionai and state legislation shall be such an
VIII ultimately enable every prudent and fns
duetrlOus citizen to secure a home and there-
fore the land should not be moHopolizad for
speculative purposes. Ali lands now held by
| railroads and other corporations in exeess of
| their actual needs should by lawful means be
lFFaf
| tnal settlers only, and pri |ate land MONOPOLY
! tied.
| Second-We condemn the frauds by which
the land grants TO Pacific railroad companies
have, through the connivance of the interior
department.. robbed multitudes of actual bona
| hide settlers of their homes and miners of their
| claims, and we demand legislation by CONGRESS
whlch VIII enforce the exemption of mineral
| patent,
Third-We demand that all bona fide settlers
| on all public lands be granted free homee a
| provided IN the national homestead law, aud
1 that no exception be made in the case Of In
dlan reservations when opened for settlement,
| and that all lands now patented come under
| this demand
Fourth-Direct Legislation: We favor n
| system of direct legislation through the initia
i've aid referendum under proper conetitu
| uonal safeguards.
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS
Fjrst--Ne demand the election of president
| vice president and United States senators by 4
! direct vote of the people.
SecOnd--Me tender TO the patriotic people Of
Cuba our deepest sympathy in their strurRlo
! for political freedom and Independence ana
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 re
| be, free and independent state.
Third-We favor home rule in the territories
! and the District OF ColumbIa.and the early ad.
mission of the territories as states.
EourTh-Ali public salaries should be 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 plbIis
works as far as practicable.
SiXth-Ihe arbitrary course of the courts i'm
! assuming to imprison citizens for indirect con-
| tempt and ruling them by Injunction should
| be prevented by proper legislation.
Seyenth-We favor just pensions for every
| disabled Union soldier.
Eighth Believing that the elective franchise
and uDtrammeled ballot are essential to gov
| 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-republican and un-democratic, aud We
declare it to be the duty of the several states
| legislatures TO take such action as will secure
| fuiI.free and fair ballot and an honest count
Ninth--While the foregoing propositions con.
| stitute the platform upon which our party
stands. and for the yIndication of which its or.
ganzation With mantained, we recognise
that the great and pressing issue of the pend.
itrr Ffrf.r xrt,f ob fha