Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1900-08-04
POPULIST STATE PLATFORM.
State Convention at Fort Scott
Adopts the Following
Principles.


We, the representatives of the Peo-
pies party of the state of Kansas, IN
convention assembled in Fort Scott, on
the 25th day of July, 1900, do hereby
reaffirm the declaration of principles
promulgated by our our nationl con-
vention held at Sioux Falls, South Da-
kota, May 9, 1900, and endorse the
nominees of that convention.
We commend to the favorable con-
sideration of the people of Kansas
comparison between the last Popullst
state administration and preceding and
succeeding Republican state admins
trations; believing that such COMPARE
son will everywhere inure to the credit
of Populists.
The spirit of militarism, Imperialism
and the desire for foreign conquest
which now pervades the dominant pol
itical organization is the direct out
growth of the spirit of greed. which Is
the chief characteristic of modern COM
mercialisIn as embodied in trusts and
private monopolies. The modern in
dustrial commercial transportatiCn
trust is monarchical in its tendencies
and absolutism in commercial life leads
to political abSolutiSm and lmperlaI1Ss-i.
There is no affinity between political
democracy and commercial aristocracy.
The spirit that compels men to accept
the price which a private monopoly
may place upon their labor or its pro-
ducts, or upon the necessities of their
life will utter no protest at the de-
spoi1ment of our political liberties at
home, nor at the imposition of uni Just
and undesired governments upon the
people of other lands. We are unalter-
ably opposed to absOlutism, whether
practised upon the people of this ma
tiou by imperial commercial trusts and
private monopolistic corporations or
whether practiced upon political sub
jects either of Queen Victoria in South
Africa or by William Mckinley in
Puerto Rico and the Philippines The
spirit of imperialism is everywhere the
same, whether exhibited in commercial
or political world, and is inimical to a
democratic form of government. Either
the spirit of greed which now domi-
mates our commercial and national life
must be overthrown or the republic
will be destroyed. We therefore call
upon all patriotic citizens of Kansas,
irrespective of present or past party
affiliations, to join with us in carrying
to effect the following principles of
civil and political government, con-
fdent that our reliance on their pa
triotism and love of liberty and justice
will not be misplaced.
We favor the election of United
States senators by direct vote of the
people, and we ask that our next 1egis-
iature pass such resolutions as will
promote this amendment to our ma
tional constitution; and we appeal to
other states to join us in such action.
We denounce the present illiberal
and unjust administration of the pen
sion bureau by Republican commits
sioner, at the dictation of the organized
wealth of the country, instead OF in
the interest of the veterans of the war
for the Union.
Believing that genuinely demo-
cratic form of government, free from
the control of the lobbyist and corrup-
ZIONIST is and will be impossible until
the people have the power to initiate
legislation and to compel submission
of legislation enacted by their repre-
sentatives to a popular vote, we de-
mand that the initiative and referen-
dunn be embodied in our state constitu-
ton
The Peoples party enacted railroad
law to protect the people of this state
against the extortions of the transpor-
tation corporations. A Republican
administration made that law of none
effect by falling to enforce it, and the
supreme court followed this up by de-
| stroying it. We are in favor Of fur
ther legislation to control these
corporations as far as possible, but we
regard the conflict between incorpora-
J ted wealth and the interests OF the
people as irrepressib1e and we look for
no permanent relief except in govern
ment ownership of railroads
We demand the withdrawal Of all
special privileges now granted by law
to corporations or individuals, and the
application of the principle of govern
ment ownership as remedy for
monopolies of every kind. Believing
! the public work ought to be done by
| the people in their own interest, we
| favor the municipal ownership and
| operation of plants for the supply of
water. light, heat and power, and also
of all street car lines and telephone
| systems.
We congratulate the people of Kan
sas upon the steady spread of Populist
principles along these lines, which are
| now leaving all parties, and point with
| qualification to the erection of plant
for the manufacture of binding Irvine
| by the state. which has checked the
extortions of one monopoly. by com
polling it to reduce its prices and has
already saved thousands of dollars to
the farmers of Kansas. We also call
attention to the successful operation
Of the state law reducing the price of
school books, and the resultant saving
of hundreds of thousands of dollars to
the people.
We believe that the people can with
advantage take further steps in the
same direction, and that our state con-
stitution ought to be amended so as to
permit the establishment of state stock
yards and markets, to provide for state
insurance and to permit the people as
whole to carry on any business OF
industry by which they can promote
their own welfare. We should espe-
cially favor the development of our oil
resources by the state and the relief OF
our people from the exactions of the
Standard oil monopoly. by the erection
of a state refinery to refine the pro
ducts of the oil fields of our state and
Beyond the Bashee River.
A visitor from Umtata informs III
that not blade Of grass is to be seer
beyond the Bashee river. Prior to his
departure for the port no rain haC
fallen for long time, and what grass
there was had been cleared OF by 10
custs.-East London (South Africa.
Dispatch.
Governments In Denmark.