Okolona messenger., 1904-07-27
Peoples Party Platform.

Adopted AZ 6prlnBneluf Ill July = 4oVts
The Peoples party reafhrms its adherence
to the basic truths OF the Omaha platform Of
1892, and OF the subsequent platforms OF 1896
and 1900. In session In It's fourth national
convention, on July 4, 1904 In the city OF
Springfield Illinois Ii draws inspiration from
the day that saw the birth of the nation, as
well as the birth OF the party, and also from
the soul of him who lived at its present place
of meeting.
ed American spirit that gave this nation exist
ance, and made Il distinctive among the peO-
pies Of the earth. We again sound the key
note of the Declaration OF Independence, that
all men are created equal In political sense
which Is the sense that instrument, being
political document, intended that the utter
ance should be understood. We assert that
responsible for the ills from which we suffer as
q nation; that the giving Of special privileges
to the few has enabled them to dominate the
many, thereby tending to destroy the political
equality which Is the corner stone OF demo
cratic government.
We call for return to the truths OF the
fathers. and we vigorously protest against the
spirit of mammOnism and OF the thinly -veiled
monarchy that is invading certain sections Of
our national life, and OF the very adminstra-
ton itself. This is a nation OF peace, and We
deplore the appeal TO spirit OF force and mil
itarism which Is shown in ul-advised and vain
glorious boastiug and, in more harmless ways,
in the denial OF the rights OF man under natur
al law.
A practical democracy and an industrial
despOtism cannot exist side by side; and no
| where is this truth more plainly shown than In
| the gigantic monOpolies which have bred all
Sorts of kindred trusts, subverted the govern
ments of many OF the states. and established
| their official agents In the national govern
menf We submit that is IL better for the SOW
ernment to own the railrOans than for the rail
roads 70 own the government and that one or
| the other alternative seems Inevitable.
We call the attention of our fellow citizens
| to the fact that the surrender OF both OF the
old parties to corporate influence leaves the
Peoples party the only party OF reform In the
nation.
| Therefore, we submit the following platform
| Of principles to the Ameritan people
The issuing OF money Is q function OF gov
/ ernment, and should never be delegated TO
/ corporations or individuals. The constitution
/ gives to congress alone power to coin money
| and regulate its value.
we demand, therefore. that all money shah
be issued by the government In such quantity
as shall maintain stability In prices every dol
/ lar to be a full legal tender, none Of which
shall be a debt redeemable in other money.
We demand that postal savings banks be es-
/ tablished by the government for the safe de-
p0sit of the savings OF the people.
/ We believe In the right OF labor to organize
for the benefit and protection for those who
| toll and pledge the efforts OF the peoples par
/ ty to preserve this right inviolate. Capital is
| organize dand has no right to deny to labOi the
| privilege which Il claims for itself. We feel
| that intelligent Organiza tiOn OF labor Is essen
/
ship and promotes the efficiency, intelligence,
| Independence and character Of the wage
| Garner We believe, with Abraham Lincoln,
that labor Is prior to capital, and Is not its
| slave but companion; and we plead for that
broad spirit Of tOleratiOn and Justice which
| win promote industrial peace through the OBJ
servance OF the principles Of voluntary arbi
| tratiOn.
we favor the enactment Of legislation look
ing to the improvements OF conditions for wage
| earners, the abolition OF child labor, the sup
preston OF sweat shops and OF convict labor
In competition with free labor, and the exclu
sion from American shores Of foreign paupe
we favor the shorter work day, and dcclar,
that II eight hours constitutes days labor h
government service, that eight hours should
constitute q days labor In factories, wOrl
shops and mines.
AS means OF placing all public questions
directly under the control OF the people, w
demand that legal provision be made unde
which the people may exercise the initiative
referendum and proportional representation
and direct vote for all pObllc oncers, with th'
right OF recall.
Land including all the natural resources o
wealth, is a heritage OF all the people, AM
should not be monOpOlized for speculative
purposes and alien ownership OF land shouls
we demand a return to the original inter
probation OF the constitution and fair an
Impartial enforcement Of laws under II; an
4 denounce government by Injunction and im
prisonment without the right of trial BY jury
To prevent unjust discrimination an
monopoly, the ROYement should own and cor
troll the railroad; and those public utilities
: which in their nature are mOnOpOhes. To pei
feet the postal service, the government shoul
/ own and operate the general telegraph an
telephone systems, and porvide a parcel
post.
: AS to those trusts and mOnopOlles which ar
not public utilities OF natural mOnOpoles, "
= demand that those special privileges whlc
they now enjoy and which alone enables thei
70 exist, should be Immediately withdraw
2 Corporations, being the creatures OF govern
ment should be subjected 70 such gOvernmel
tel regulations and control as win adequatel
protect the public. We nemand the taxatlo
Of monopoly privileges, while they remain
8 private hands 20 the extent OF the value
: privileges granted
We demand that congress shall enact gel
s eral law uniformly regulating the power 81
!. duties Of al Incorporated companies doing I
Z ters1ate business.