The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-03-10
St. Louis Address and Call.
THE ST. LOUIS ADDRESS.

THE ST. LOUIS ADDRESS.
We are fundamentally opposed to
the present unjust distribution OF
wealth. that creates system of So
ciety in which the few get, without
working, while the man, work with
out getting; system which must re-
suit in either anarchy or despotism,
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 fulflll its true
mission. We iemand lie OF ening to
all OF the opportunities of nature and
the abolition Of all SPECIAL privileges.
In both of the great political par ties
of the nation are to be found two ir-
recoDcifable factions, one in favor Of
governmental usdspatioh, tending to
the establishment of Lew feudalism.
and the other standing Tor industrial
and political libe.:y.
In the peoples party of the nation
lies the only ho1e of me perpetual
ton of popular institutions.
We ratify and reaffirm the fIuda-
mental principles of the platform of
the peoples party adopted 1t It's ma
tional convention in Omaha in 1857.
Free speech, frcs press, trial by jury
and the rights of the people peacefully
~ ~ he
rights of every American citizen. We
oppose their violation by injunctions
issued by courts OF equity.
We hold tina. 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 tcel; nature natural mo-
nopolies, such as the railroad, teie-
phone, gas and electric lighting. AS
to those trusts aad more poucs which
are not public utilities Of natural mo-
nopolies, we demand that those spe-
cial privileges which they Low cnjoy,
and which alone 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list, should be Immediately withdrawn.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 tie taxation If
monopoly privileges, while they re-
main in private hands, 10 tfe extent
of the value Of the privileges granted.
We favor the initiative anG. referen-
dunn; the former to the end that the
people may compel the enactment CT
good laws; the latter to tn, end that
the people may veto legislative meas
ures.
We favor the direct domination OF
candidates for elective public Office by
direct vote Of the people, and the cleo
tion Of the United States senator's and
federal judges by the people.
The platform OF the 1eople's party
made at Omaha in 1892 was originally
made in conference called and held
by the labor organizations February
%, 1892. W. therefore invite the
wealth-producers TO take Fart in the
primaries that shall choose delegates
to our conyer ION, guaranteeing tnat
lHc luuuSuCe VI tulS party Snail De
given to advance the interests of or
gained labor by the recognition OF
the union label on manufactured prod
ucts, as we'll rs n legislation. which
at last is the only hope of Just cen.
ditions for labor. =.
We criticise as unfair, illega. and
unjust, those 'ecisions of the courts
declaring the labor law uaconstltu-
tional, and we demanu a consti:u-
tional amendment author izing legis-
iation requiring Tie state, lnunicipal-
tiles and pubic francisco owing cor
porations, their contrac, 3rs ana SUP.
contractors, to paJ worhmen the PIC
vailing rates OF wages, and that upon
public works, eight hours shall con-
stltute days work, and We demand
the abolition OF the coltract system
upon public work.
We invite the cooperation OF all
reform forces believing in the aDoy o
principles.
IALL.
The joint committees OF tie reform
forces. representing the n:oplc's party
~ he United States. assembled In the
city af CT \ ot4ie Mo an tha oonsl