The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-23
FIFTH MISSOURI.

FIFTH MISSOURI.
The populists of the Fifth congress
sional district of Missouri met At In |
dependence, June IS, and selected MI. |
Harvey Barlfis of Kansas City as
delegate to the national convention,
and recommended names of persons to |
the state convention to meet at st.
Louis, July Q, to complete the number
to which the district Is entitled
The following declaration OF pur-
poses and principles was adopted:
"rhe peoples party sprang out OF
the need of reformation OF our UNI
American politics-economic system,
and is fully justified by the expert
ence of all history, viz, that no relor-
nation can be accomplished by an old
party, hence the necessity Of putting
the new wine into new bottle
1.-THE reformation not having been
accomplished, the mission Of ouT par
lty remains.
"This needed reformation which we
propose and demand is that the func-
tons and powers of government shall
not be granted to corporations or in
dividuals. but shall be performed by
the government itself, thereby pre-
venting the formation of the so-called
trusts or artificial monopolies and the
corruption that scandallzes the whole
country today.
I'VE, therefore, more specifically de-.
clare and demand:
THAT the issuing OF money is a
SOVEREIGN power to be exercised by the
general government only; that the
lquantity shall be proportional to the
needs Of legitimate business, thereby
doing what Franklin observed when
he said: Every community needs q
given volume of money in proportion
to the number of it's exchanges, and
THAT all money shall be legal means
OF payment of all demands, public and
private.
"That there shall he established a
savings department in connection with
the postoffices, for the safekeeping OF
the peoples money.
THAT all public service functions
that are in their nature monOpclistic
and requiring the granting of fran
chises or charters such as railroads
and telegraphs, ETC., shall be owned
and operated by the government for
! 1.-THE common benefit.
1--WE favor the adoption OF direct
legislation, the initiation and re;eren-
dunn, whereby the people may have
direct control over the making and
vetoing of proposed laws, and putting
an end to the lobby and schemes Of
special and class favored lawmaking
, I'VE also favor the plan of minor
ity or proportional representation, ant
, the election of all officers by the peo
pie themselves, including the presi
|, dent, vice president, United States
! senators and federal judges
I'VE are opposed to the presen
!. methods Of procuring public revenues
! wherein heavy burdens and penalties
are placed on the enterprising ant
industrious. We therefore demand 1T
gradual displacement by a system
which ultimately will take all pubii
: revenue from that natural sourc
which places no burden on production
:, or consumption, and the only equit
: able one ever proposed, viz: the eco
= nomic rental value of land, whicl
!. would not only give us just and nat
: ural system of taxation, but give to al
: access to natural opportunities Oh
: equal terms.
8 Believing. as we do, In the simpl
. justice of our cause, and certain Il
the conviction that were these princi
q plies established In our political an
y economic system OF government tina
i industrial peace would come to on
= great country. and that the controver
4 sizes that now vex us would cease. an
i permanent aud real prosperity woul
+ come and abide with US, We Urgent
! appeal to all our fellow citizens I
3 unite with us In great and unite
endeayor 90 secure the adoption 4
II these great and vital principles In th
v administration of our government"
r. The following resolution was ais
adopted:
, Resolved. That II In the sense Q
A. thla convention that the efforts q
q some OF the adhercnts OF the people