Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-08-30
popuIIsr NATIONAL PLATFORM.

poPULIsr NATIONAL PLATFORM.
The peoples party, assembled in national
conyention reaffirms its allegiance 20 the
declared by the founders OF the re
81 uss as enuncate in the plat
form OF the party In 1897 we recognize tnes
through the conniyance OF the present ana
administrations the country nae
reached CRISIS in its national life as predicted
In our declaration four years ago, ana tnat
prompt and sn patriotic action Is TIM. 5ns hie We
have political independencee. our hnancie
and Industrial indev Evidence il yet to be at
turional control and exercise of the functions
pe0DleS governments, which
functions have been bssely sarrendered BY
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
the establishment of an economic and imam
cial system. which shall make us masters OF
our own affairs and independent of European
control. by the adoption of the following dec-
larstion Of principles:
FINANCE.
First We demand a national money, safe
only. without the intervention OF banks of 10
sue TO be a full legal tender for all debts pub
lie and private-a just, equitable and emcieut
means of distribution direct to the people aud
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
cuating 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 ana
the increase of the public interest bearing
debt made by the present administration a.
unnecessary and without authority of law and
that no more bonds be issued except by spe-
cific act of congress-.
Fifth-we demand such legislation az will
prevent the demonstration 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.
Seventh-we demand a graduated income
tax to the end that aggregated wealth shall
regard the recent decision of the supreme
court relative to the income tax law as q mis-
interpretation of the constitution and an in
vasion of the rightful powers of congress over
the subject of taxation.
\ E1gntn-W6 demand tnaC 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 ct
| change and necessity the governmentshouli
| 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 railroad corporations. which result
| in the Impairment, If not the destruction, of
the political rights and personal liberties of
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 II IL be-
in, or il they can be purchased at q reasonable
price, and the government shall operate said
railroads as 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 Transports
ton interests equal privileges and equal rates
for fares and freights.
Third-we denounce the present infamous
schemes for refunding these debts, and de-
. | manu- euOlOtU 70
executed ana adminlstered according 10 their
| true lnIeut , auu sPnIt. ,.,
Fourtn-Ine telegraPh, IKE inc posi- once
| system, pelug necesslty ior lne transmissioh
OF news, snouiu pe o"Heu anu oPerateu py
the government IN Tue interes'e vi inc people.
| LAND.
First-the true policy demands that the ma
| tiona and state legislation shall be such a.
| will ultimately enable every prudent and in
| dustrious citizen 10 secure a home, and there
fore the land should not be monopolized for
speculative purposes. All lands now held by
railroads and other corporations In excess or
their actual needs should by lawful means be
| reclaimed by the government and held for ac-
| tual settlers only, and pri rate land monopoly,
| as well as alien ownership, should be prohfb-
| tied.
| Second-We condemn the frauds by which
| the land grants to Pacific railroad companies
| have, through the connivance or the interior
department., robbed multftudes of actual bona
hde settlers OF their homes and miners OF their
claims. and we demand Legislation by congress-
which will enforce the exemption OF mineral
land from such grants, after as well as Defore
patent,
Thlrd-We demand that all bona noe settlers
on all pIpnc lands De granted Tree MONIES. es
proVlueu III tne nd'Ionai nomSeteao lhWs anu
tnat no exception pe Inaoe IN tne case OF In
dlan reservauo1s wneh Opened LOT setuement,
ana tnat all ianos now patenteo come unoer
thls oeuian1 M
fouIth- iI LeHIsiauou. We IavoL
system Oh uirec. iegIsauon tnrougn tne inlua