The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-02-25
THE ST. LOUIS ADDRESS.

the present unjust 11StrlDuIlOn OIL
wealth, that creates a system of So
ciety in which the few get, without
working, while the many work with
out getting; a system which must re-
suit in either anarchy or despotism,
and the total destruction of our re-
public This cOnoition is due to the
monopoly of natural opportunities and
the creation of special privileges by
law.
We maintain that this government,
which was Dedicated by the fathers
of the republic, to freedom and equal
ity Of opportunity, shall fulfill its true
mission. We demand tie OK ening to
all OF the opportunities of nature and
the abolition of all special privileges
In both of the great political parties
Of the nation are to be found two ir-
recoDcilable factions, one in favor OF
governmental usurpatioh, tending to
the establishment Of A. new feudalism,
and the other standing for industrial
and political libe4ty.
In the peoples party of the nation
lies the only hoIe of the perpetual
ton of popular institutions.
We ratify and reaffifm the fIIda-
mental principles of the platform of
the peoples party adopted at its ma
tonal convention in Omaha in 1852.
Free speech. free press, trial by jury
and the rights of the people peacsabiy
to assemble, are the constitutional
rights of every American citizen. We
oppose their violation by injunctions
issued nv cO,lr1c cf puIl,tV
We hold thai the right to issue and
coin money and to regulate the value
thereof is solely function OF the GOV
eminent.
We demand public ownership and
operation of those public utilities
which are in tnelr nature natural mo-
nopolies, such as the railroad, tCle-
phone gas and electric lighting. AS
to those trusts and moncpollcs which
are not public utilities oil natural mo-
nopolies, we demand that those spe-
cial privileges which they Low enjoy,
and which alo.,e enable them to ex-
list. should be Immediately withdrawn.
Corporations being the creatures OF
government. should be subjected 10
such governmental regulation and
control as will Adequately protect the
public. We demand the taxation Of
monopoly privileges, while they re-
main in private hands, TO tfe extent
of the value of the privileges granted.
We favor the initiative and referen-
dunn: the former to the end that the
people may compel the enactment oil
good laws; the latter to tn, end that
the people may veto legislative meas
ures.
We favor the direct nomination OF
candidates for elective public Office by
direct vote of the people, and the cleo
ton of the United States senator's and
federal judges by the people.
The platform Of the peoples party
made at Omaha in 1892 was originally
made in conference called and held
by the labor organizations February
%. 1892. We therefore invite the
wealth-producers 10 take Part In the
primaries that shall choose delegates
to our convention, guaranteeing tnat
the influence Of this party shall be
given to advance the interests of or
ganizei labor by the recognition oil
the union label on manufactured prod
ucLS. dS Wcil Is III iC6icidIASA, dASAi
at last is the only hope Of just Gen.
ditions for labor.
We criticise as unfair, illegal and
unjust, those DECISIONS Of the courts
declaring the labor law unconstltu-
tional, and we demand constitu-
tional amendment authorizing legls-
lation requiring tie stale, municipal
tiles and pubic franchise owing ccr-
porations, their CONTRACT, ors and SUBJ
contractors, to pay workmen the PIE
vailing rates OF wages, and that upon
public works, eight hours shall cen
stitute days work, and We demand
the abolition OF the contract system
upon public work.
We invite the cooperation OF al
reform forces believing In the above
principles.
IALT..
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