The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-25
AIMED AT STANLEY.
Democratic Platform Endorses Live
Stock Commission.
[Special % the Sac Journal.l

Especial 10 the State Journal
Fort Scott, July 25--The platform
adopted by the Kansas Democrats IL
their convention follows.
The Democrats of kansas.in state con-
vention assembled. hereby indorse the
Kansas City platform. We regard this
platform as second Declaration of IN
dependence, and point to it as the hope
of the liberty loving people of this coun-
try and OF the world
Railways are public highways Rail
way companies are common carriers and
public servants. They are given fran
chtses and great powers with the agree
ment on their part that they will serve
the public impartial1y for just cOmpen-
satiOn. Our state has never had an eff
ficient system of railway legislation and
present conditions call for cOmprehen-
sive. intelligent and courageous railway
legislation We believe the first step in
any efficient system OF railway regula-
ton is to secure publicity of railway at
fairs, and We therefore favor the crea-
ton of a state officer. to be known as
railway auditor, with full powers to e1c-
anime, check, duplicate and keep for
public use, all books, records. papers and
accounts of the railway companies. and
to be the public auditor and accountant
of all Of the affairs of railway companies
of the state. There should be created by
law a public tribunal clothed with all
power necessary for the complete and
efficient regulation and control of the
railways OF the state in their relations
to the public and to their agents. ser
wants and employees and to all persons
WhOmSoeVer, and in all of their conduct
and actions in the operation of their
roads, and in the prosecution of their
business in all things and at all times.
Among the matters requiring the special
attention of the legislature as relating to
regulation and control of railways may
be mentioned the fixing of passenger
fares and freight rates and the absolute
prohibition of all Determinations as to
either The grossest and most offensive
and injurious form Of passenger dis
elimination IS the free pass, which, in
addition to its cOrruptng Influences upon
legislators, courts and all public officials,
is an insidious means of securing the
favor of influential personages and is
the fruitful parent of every other dis
elimination and of all abuses practiced
and the public We. therefore, demand
its total abolition by making the issu-
ance or acceptance of the same as like
wise OF any discriminating favor a pub
lie offense The indifference of some of
the railways to the safety and lives of
their employees calls forth strongest con-
domination of all humane persons And
We condemn the practice of using what
are known as double headers or two en-
g1neS to one train OF twice the ordinary
size, as likewise all practices and meth
DDS OF railway companies which unnec-
essariIy endanger lives and limbs of en-
ployeS and of the public While conced-
ing TO railroads the fullest protection of
the law in the spirit of justice, yet we
to be jealousy guarded and the peoples
rights constantly defended against their
abuses and wrongs The present Repub-
Hcan state administration is weak va
cillating and insincere. and we submit
that the party responsible therefor is IN
mt to be charged with the duty of en-
acting a system of railway legislation
for the people of this state.
The recent unparalleled growth of
trusts and monopoIies has brought the
American people face to face with the
greatest industrial question of any age.
Monopoly in private hands is wholly
bad There are no good trusts and we
hold that they must be destroyed by
proper legislation This can be ac-
ccmplished only by honest corporation
between the state and national govern
nents, and We pledge ourselves, in case
we succeed at the polls in November
to employ the full powers Of our state
government in an effort to relieve hon
est producers, wage earnerS and all the
people from the burdens and 0ppres-
Sious of monopoly. The inexhaustible
supply Of petroleum which the Creator
has placed within our borders for the
benefit of our people has been appro-
priated by the Standard Oil company
until our citizens cannot light a lamp
o. oil machine without the payment
OF tribute This monopoly controls the
trade in petroleum and in petroleum
products in this country, arbitrarily
fixing the price which it pays for crude
oil and also the price which it charges
for the finished product It's wealth is
50 staggering and it's power so irwin
chile, that we can have no hope of relief
from It's speedy exactions except such
relief comes from the state and we,