The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-26
POPULIST PLATFORM.
Most Lengthy Declaration Since the
Organization IN Kansas

Especial to the state Journal
Fort Scott July 26.-The Pcpulist plat
form the longest one in the history Of the
party in Kansas, adopted by the conven-
ton. is in fun follows;
we, the representatives OF the Peoples
party Of the state Of Kansas IN state con-
venti0u assembled in Fort Scott on the
18th day OF July. 1900, do hereby rsa1firT1
the declaration Of principles prom1lg gated
by national convention held at Sioux
Falls. South Dakota May 8, 1900 and en-
dorse the nominees Of that convention
We commend to the favorable consider
alton Of the people OF Kansas, comparI-
son between the last Popultst state ad-
minisCrarion and preceding and succeed
ing Republican state adTn1I laSrraIlonS- Be
EevinE that such comparison will every
where inure To the credit Of PopuIists-
The spirit of nilirarism. Imperialism
and the desire for foreign conquest which
now pervades the dominant political or
ganfzati0ns in this nation is the direct out
growth of the spirit OF greed which is the
chief characteristic OF modern commercial
ism as embodied in trusts and private
raonopolies. The modern Industrial, COM
arcfrfaI IN its tendencies and absolutisn1
in commercial life leads to political abso-
luLiSm and imperialism
There is no affinity between political
democracy and commercial arIst0cracy-
The spirit that conpels men TO accept the
price which a private monopoly may place
necessities Of their life will utter no pro-
test at the despoilment OF our political
OF unjust and undeslred governments
upon the people Of other lands We are
unaIrerab bly, opposed to abSOlut1Sm whether
pracr1ced upon the people OF TINS natlon
by imperial commercial trusts and private
mou0polisric corporations or whether
pracriced upon political subjects either OF
Queen Victoria IN South Africa or Of VII
liam Mckinley in Porto Rico and the
Philippines. The spirit Of Imperialism IS
everywhere the same, whether exhibited
in the commercial OF political world and
is fr1ir1icsaI to a democratic form Of gov
eminent Either the spirit OF greed which
now dominates our commercial and ma
ticnaI life must be OverrhrOWn or the re-
public viii be destroyed
We therefore call upon all patriotic cit
liens Of Kansas irrespective OF present
or past party affiliations, 10 join With Us
eiples Of civil and political government.
confident that our reliance on their pa
triotisn and love Of liberty and justice
will not be misplaced
I'VE favor the election OF United States
senator's by a direct vote OF the people
and ask that our next Legislature pass
such resolutions as VIII promote TINS
amendment TO our national CONSTRUCTOR
and we appeal TO other states to join Us
IN such action
I'VE denounce the present f1fberaI and
bureau by Il Republican commissioner at
the 7ictarisu OF the organized wealth OF
the country instead Of the interest Of the
veterans OF the war for the union
Believing that a genuinely Democratic
form Of government free from the con-
troll Of the lobbyist and corr1ptionist. IS
and will be impossible until the people
have the power 10 initiate legislation and
to compel a. submission OF legislation en-
acted by their representatives TO d pop
ular vote. We demand EnaC the initiative
and referendum be embodied in our state
constitution
The Peoples party enacted a railroad
law protect the people Of this state
against the exroruons OF the rranSpor-
ration corporations, a Republican state
administration made that law Of no effect
BY failing to enforce it and thes Repu1-