The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-04
ADDRESS BY REFORMERS
sOCIALISTIC APPEAL ADOPTED BY
THE BUFFALO CONFERENCE.
Political Liberty Said to BE Mockery
without Economic Liberty-PhiI-
ippine War Denounced.

BUFFALO. n. Y, July 3.-Rev. B. Fay
Mills, of Boston, was chosen chairman of
to-day's conference of the National Social
and Political Association. Bolton Hall.
chairman of the committee on resolutions,
read the report of the committee, which in
cluded resolutions on woman suffrage, the
Buchanan plan of organization and anti
Imperialism. Philadelphia was selected as
the next place of meeting, to take place
Jan. /, 1900
The first resolution considered was the one
indorsing what is known as the buchanan
plan," which provides that the reformers
pledge themselves TO support and vote for
the party that puts into its platform the
reform of reforms most desired by the re-
formers. A general discussion followed, aft
err which the resolution was adopted-100
to IS.
The Union Reform League was next dis
cussed and resolutions in favor of uniting
educationally in favor of direct legislation,
public ownership, single tax and income tax
were presented by Rev. Mr.. Bliss and
adopted A resolution declaring that women
should vote on equal terms with men was
unanimously carried.
An address read by Prof. Heron, criti-
cising the Philippine policy and the alleged
vote was subsequently reconsdered after a
number of addresses denourcing such ac-
ton. Pandemonium ensued, as motion after
motion followed and speaker after speak
er was heard or suppressed. Finally adj
dress to the public was taken up seriatim.
From time to time some delegate would
arise in a spirit of desperation trying to
protest against the language or the ad-
dress.
The first paragraph denounced 1.-The war
of conquest and determination" The word
determination" was stricken out. The
words 'lawless and Irresponsible were
military control in Idaho. The address
adopted refers to the two great evils OF
militarism and plutocracy which now
former, it declares, lis expressed in our
war of conquest in the Philippines; in our
continued government Of Cuba; in the pri-
vate use of the United States army for the
complete and instant overthrow of civil
government in Idaho and the establishment
of military despotism in the corporate and
private use of the military force to destroy
and terrorize organized labor and in the
monstrous public corruptions that have
grown out of our Spanish and Philippine
The nation" the address continues, that
strikes at the liberties Of another nation
commits national suicide. We cannot too
greatly emphasize the fact that the mill
tarism that seeks conquest abroad has for
its ultimate purpose the destruction of or
ganized labor at home and the defense OF
government by injunction OF the federal
courts. which have usurped the functions of
legislation and have set aside the laws OF
the land
An appeal is made to the public to join in
the demand for the granting of liberties
pledged TO the Fflipnos. Miitarism is de-
clared to be but the offspring and the Incl
dent of the greater menace OF plutocracy
which has established monopoly government.
BY economic force based upon special privi-
leges in law and political competition, mo-
10 1f0r he nol Of he
ton in the hands OF enormous trusts, which
are becoming irresponsible economic despot-
isms; which are using legislation, the judi
clary and all the fur ctions of government as
the mere instruments of private profit which
are reducing the entire people to economic
serfdom or enforced wage slavery.
Political liberty the address declares.
lis mockery without economic liberty.
Even the further extension of the suffrage,
so as to grant political citizenship to wo-
men, which extension we urge and advocate.
will avail little or nothing without economic
freedom to all. We therefore make urgent
appeal 10 the people to cooperate with us
in the institution of such movements and the
support of such men shall propose. first,
direct legislation and proportional represen-
tation: direct taxation, public ownership Of
public utilities or mOnOpOlieS growing out of
natural resources and the existence of So
ciety; the sole control by the people,
through their government. of their medium
OF exchange and for the upbuiding and en-
during establishment OF a Free just and
progressive society based on these element
principles or poltlcal and social democracy
We offer our services and our citizenship. and
appeal to the good will inherent in the asso-
citation of men for liberty and the common
good
AT the afternoon session President G. A.
Gates. of Iowa. presented a resolution fav-
orlng a permanent organiZa ton with annual
meetings: This was adopted and the chair
appointed a committee on organization. The
committee on resolutions presented a long
premabe and resolution about the 'nhu-
man and inexcuSabl BILE war of conquest in the
Philippines" declaring such war to be IAN
a1ront 10 every sentiment of humanity.
denial OF the essential principle of Justice
and 2 reputation of the fundamental the
DRY OF our American government This was
carried by vote of % to o. A resolution
authorizing the conference to appoint a
committe OF five Ito take such legal stems
as may be necessary 10 stop the Philippine
war and to add to its numbers Charles Fred
Adams. Senator u. +. Hoar. John G.. Mil
burn Edwin ID. Meade and Roderick
Smith" was tabled by an almost unanimous
vote.
Resolutions opposing "all laws tending TO
limit or abridge the suffrage OF American
citizens or seeking TO place under partisan
control the machinery of elections indors-
Ing the Ten Commandments expressing a
belief In heaven. opposing lynching, approx
ing or voluntary cooperation as one of the
means OF industrial reforms and daclo ~ o.