The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-04-07
THE ST. LOUIS ADDRESS.

We are fundamentally opposed to
til the present unjust distribution OF
wealth. that creates 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 despotlsm,
and the total destruction Of our re-
public. This condition 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 fulhll It's true
mission. We jemani tie OF 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-
reconcilable fections, one in favor OF
governmental usuTpation, tending to
the establishment Of a new feudalism,
and the other standing Tor Industrial
and political libe4ty.
In the peoples party of the nation
lies the only hore of lne perpetual
ton OF popular institutions.
We ratify and reaf1rm the funda-
mental principles of the platform OF
the peoples party adopted at its ma
tional convention in Omaha In 1892.
Free speech, fires press, trial by jury
and the rights of the people peaceably
to assemble, are the constitutional
rights OF every American citizen. We
oppose their violation by injunctions
| issued by courts CT equity.
We hold tina. the right to issue and
coin money and to regulate the value
thereof is solely a function OF the SOW
eminent.
We demand public ownership and
| operation of those public utilities
which are In tneir nature natural mo-
nopolies, such as the railroad, teie-
phone, gas and electric lighting. AS
to those trusts and mOEcpolics which
are not public utilities OF natural mo-
nopolies, we demand that those spe-
cial privileges which they now enjoy
and which alone enable them to ex-
list, should be Immediately withdrawn
Corporations being the creatures Of
government, should be subjected tc
such governmental regulation anC
control as will adequately protect the
public. We demand the taxation 81
monopoly privileges, while they re-
main In private hands, 10 tfe extern
Of the value Of the privileges granted
We favor the initiative and referen
dunn; the former to the end that thu
people may compel the enactment o.
good laws; the latter to tn, end tina
the people may veto legislative meas
ures
We favor the direct domination O.
candidates for elective public Office BY
direct vote OF the people, and the cleo
ton of the United States senators anG
federal judges by the people.
The platform Of the peoples party
made at Omaha in 1892 was originally
made in q conference called and helC
by the labor organizations February
%. 1892. We therefore invite the
wealth-producera To take Part In the
primaries that shall choose delegates
to our convention, guaranteeing tnai
the influence Of Ibis party shall be
given to advance the interests OF or
gained labor by the recognition Of
the union label on manufactured prod
ucts, as well IS IN legislation, which
at last Is the only hope Of just con.
ditions for labor.
We criticlse as unfair, illegal and
unjust, those secisions of the courts
declaring the labor Law unconstltu.
tlonal, and we demanu a constitu.
tional amendment authorizing legs
lation requiring the state, inunIcipal
tiles and pubic f-anchlse-owing cor,
porations. their contrac, ors ami sub
contractors. to pay workmen tine Pre-
vailing rates OF wages, and that upor
public works, eight hours shall con
stitute q days work. and We demans
the abolition of The contract system
upon public work.
We invite the cooperation OF al
reform forces believing in the abov,
principles.