The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-30
Gen. Percy Daniels.

raylor Of Wyandotte county "a Kan
las delegate to the Springfield con-
ventitl) when read in your paper OF
he 23d the editorial mo Chance for
Reform" in which you referred to the
recent fight among the republicans IN
Wisconsin and the success Of the ma
chine crowd in downing Governor
La Toilette and the honest element OF
The party.
/ had been discussing candidates
whose names might be brought before
the coming populist convention at
Springfield, and quote the following.
from that letter:
II have spent much time in try
ing to learn indirectly Gas men in
his position, are habitually very eau
tious in the expression OF such
opinions on such questions) what
General Miles views are on the
great national problems. and the
advanced theories Of the populists.
u am so far satisfied that | would
be glad to see him nominated for
president at Springfield.
Governor La Toilette Of WiscOn-
sin would be good man to put with
him. If he would accept on a popuiist
platform. They both have more
loyalty to real populist ideas and
purposes than the grafters who were
slick enough to get control OF the
party and wrecked it.
You probably remember the
Gresham incident in 1892. He would
have been nominated at Omaha had
he said that he would accept. On
the popuiist platform reinforced by
a progressive franchise tax resolu-
ton tas defined by the bill intro
duced by Congressman Ridgely in
1900 and again by Congressman
Scott in 1902 demanding from one
to ten per cent tax on aggregate
capitalization counting both wa
tered stock and market premium as
part of said aggregate) of corpora
lions; and an additional tax, under
the same rates when they combine,
Oh the aggregate of the trusts cap
italization. Second, referendum
on all laws declared unconstitu-
tional Third, referendum on the
term, tenure, and election Of presi-
dent ana senators. Fourth, the SUBJ
stitution of graduated property
tax for the income tax.
ION such a platform Miles and
La Toilette can beat Roosevelt and
Fairbanks"
Resolutions covering the first three
of the above points were published in
the Pittsburg Kansan of last week
and will be brought before the Spring
field convention.
Labor does not yet demand the
pound of flesh because it does not
realize it's right under Gods law or
republican institutions. had rather
help to remove the incentive than
wait for the demand, because that
alone is right. With this | am sure
the Springfield convention will con-
cur. Progressive taxation will remove
the incentive. 1t can be adjusted to
restore that equality of opportunity
guaranteed to every law-abiding
American citizen. 1t would wipe out
the trusts las the ten per cent gov
eminent tax did the state banks forty
years ago), regulate the corporations
and enable the individual dealer to
compete with the larger establish
ments.
1t would tax the pirates for money
to acquire public utilities. 1t would
raise the funds to employ all idle la.
Dor on public works.
At meeting of capitalists in New
York city last fall it was resolved Il
throw million men onto the labor
market In the next nine months, FOL
the purpose of raising the battle ak,
Of starvation over the heads of tn,
Industrial classes. IL that number
has not yet been reached II will be i'm
mediately after election. The rat,
war in immigrants tickets may hav
been started for the same purpose
The Springfield convention can shoy
its purpose to defend labor In tn
coming struggle by the demand TO
progressive taxation That now is tn
only defense left to the industria
classes but their muscle.
Have they the honesty and nerv
10 make the demand?
, Let the Springfield convention spea
4 for them. PERCY DANIELS.
Girard, Kas