The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-11-24
Results of Referendum Vote
For a New Party
Favors a New Party

expression OI my NAoWS on Tue qucS-
tion of What populists should do?"
1t is my belief that there should be
a free expression of opinion by all who
have taken an interest in the move
ment, and that along in the winter
there should be national conference
called Of all who are interested in ike
reforms, and then a determination as
to what should be done. do not think
it best to assume any hard or fast at
titude until we have fully discussed
the question; and it is only for the pur-
pose of contributing my views for the
consideration ct others. the same as
shall consider theirs. that this letter is
written
1t is certain that an increasingly
large number of the American people
are at this time in favor of the follow
ng progressive reforms:
1. The national ownership and OPP
Grafton of the railroads and telegraph
lines of the country.
2. The national ownership of enough
coal and other mines, to prevent r,o-
nopoly, and to accord independent citi-
zens an opportunity to acquire the raw
material as advantageously as the
trust acquires them.
3. Postal savings banks.
4. A graduated income tax.
5. A graduated inheritance tax.
6. Local application in the states of
the principles of initiative and refer
endum, with subsequent application
to our national affairs should expert
ence in the states prove such extension
desirable
Z. The issue of all money by the fed
eral government without the interyen-
tion of any bank.
- 8. Compulsory primaries.
The most important of these reforms
and the one which is securing the
greatest number Of converts, is the ma
tional ownership and operation of the
railroads and telegraph lines Stu
dents of our industrial system, includ-
ing business men Of all classes, nov
understand that the very backbone pf
the trust system is the favoritism of
the private owners of the railroads
This fayoritism is exercised in many
ways, such as securing rebates on
freight; delay in furnishing cars TO
the ordinary business man, while they
are furnished the trusts promptly;
delay in forwarding the product of the
ordinary business man, while sending
the trust-made product to its destina-
tion speedily; the use of the right-of-
way of the railroad company by fav-
ored interests for grain elevators and
coal yards and other purposes, while
to the ordinary business man these
privileges are denied. In my judgment
this transportation question should lie
placed at the very forefront in the re-
form movement; first. because it is
right; and secondly, because it is con-
stantly gaining new adherents from all
classes of people. With sufficient
ownership of coal and other mines, the
citizen who desired to engage in a new
manufacturing enterprise would be as-
sured of being on an equal footing
with the trust in the matter of secur-
ing raw material and transportation to
his factory; and then through the ma
tional ownership of the railroads he
would be secure in getting equal terms
in the distribution of his manufactured
goods.
The question is, how to bring about
these desired reforms. and how best
to unite the people who are in favor of
them. My own judgment is, that we
can make the greatest progress through
a new political party. We need no
party that is founded on mere wall of
calamity, but the nation does need
party which stands for industrial prog
ress without poverty. The present sys-
tenn leads to progress r1d poverty: it
furnishes the multimillionaire and the
pauper The aim Of the new move
ment should be to furnish all an equal
opportunity, and make this country
where we have neither the plutocrat
nor the pauper. In new political par
u. men who have been populists, DEM
ocrats or republicans, could all unite