Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-08-11
KANSAS FUSION PLATFORM.
Statement of Principles Upon which
Judge Dale Hopes TO BE Elect
ed Governor.
Topeka, Kan, Aug. 4.-!The demo-
cratic state platform follows:

We, tire uetnOCruuC purity Oh huNsuS' III
convention assembled. indorse the prin-
ciples OF the platform adopted by the
last national democratic convention at st.
Louis, AID the nominees OF said conven-
ton.
Relating to state issues. we call atten-
tion Of the people TO the fact that the re-
publican press OF this state charges that
the last two legislatures, almost solidly
republican. were guilty Of criminally
wasting the peoples money and legislat-
Ing only in the interest Of the corpora
tons; that the republican state conven-
ton held at Wichita. on March 0. 1904.
was organized and manipulated wholly
by the railroad companies; that wholesale
frauds were perpetrated In the unseating
OF delegates inimical to the interest OF the
BOSS Buster" crowd; that the railroad
interest nominated every candidate placed
upon the state ticket: that the business
interest, as represented by the federation
lists, was wholly disregarded: that some
OF the men nominated for state office,
acting as members of the board of rail-
road assessors. with having wrongfully
raised the taxes of the individual and
other taxpayers and lowered those OF the
railroads, and has also charged some Of
these men with having used their official
position to reward their friends with GER
tlfcatcs of nomination. without regard 10
the facts of law governing the case, and
has also charged some OF these nominees
with grave criminal oifenses and has also
charged the Boss Buster combination
with, having invaded the judicial and
turned down one Of the judges OF the SUI
preme court as n further humiliation
TO the chief executive who appointed
l.t H. Coll la IL hi INner
and added to all this misconduct, is the
deplorable fact that q United States sem
ator has been convicted OF crime COM
mitted while holding his Office the only
United States senator convicted in the
history of the United States governmen).
who Is the leader Of the men who now
control the policies OF the republican
party of the state, and whose followers
are urgently demanding his retention Of
the Office. thereby depriving the people
OF this state Of the services Of a United
States senator for over a year. and. In the
face of all this record. this party is at
tempting to ride into office under the pre-
tense of purity and reform.
In view of these deplorable conditions.
We invite all good citizens Of this state to
join with us In electing 10 Office the nomi-
nees OF our state convention pledged to
carry out our principles.
We are in favor of an economical ad-
ministration OF state affairs In all Of its
branches, and We demand the reduction
OF taxes to the lowest point possible to
carry out such reform.
We insist that II Is the duty OF the gov
ernor TO make a personal inspection and
investigation of state institutions, and
cut of all the unnecessary expenses In
the proper management of the same.
We recognize the fact that the railroad
corporations have done much TO develop
the resources of this great state. We be-
lieve in the enactment and impartial en-
forcement Of laws to protect them In all
OF their rights as great public agencies.
but We demand that such agencies shall
be operated in such manner as will best
subserve the public interest.
We are in favor OF the next legislature
passing a railroad law embodying the
good features OF the Texas and other
state railroad laws, In order that the rail-
road commissioners be given full power.
after hearing upon notice. to make
classifications and fix tariffs, both passen-
ger and freight. upon every line OF rail-
road in the state of Kansas: a law con-
tanning penalties for any discrimination
or extortion upon the part Of the railroad
companies; also penalties for failure upon
the part of the railroad companies to fur
nish cars upon the proper demand OF par.
ties desiring the same. A law, In fact.
placed upon the statute book governing
and regulating the railroads in the state
OF Kansas. And, We condemn the action
of the several representatives In congress
from this state. In their neglect and re-
fusal 10 insist In congress upon the pas
sage Of the amendments asked by the in
terstate commerce commission extending
the power Of that commission.
We are In favor of the revision OF the
existing tax laws. so that the same may
be uniform, to the end that the burdens
OF taxation may be borne equitably by
the rich and the poor, and We denounce
the tax law adopted by the republican
tax commission and attempted to be
passed by the republicans of the last leg
islature, as most Ubiquitous in Its provis-
ions in favoring the corporations as
against the individual, the passage and
enforcement of which would be most dis
astrous to the best interests of this state.
As such palpable and unblushing
frauds az were perpetrated by the repub-
licans in the state convention at WICHITA
and In the First and Second congressional
districts, whereby the will of the majori-
~ was ignored, and thousands of citl-
Gems DISTINGUISHED by few postmasters,
office seekers. railroad contractors dis
gruntled politicians and political strikers.
which has been condoned and approved
by the attorney general. secretary Of
state and auditor, to the end that they
might perpetuate themselves and their
friends in office we are admonished that
there should be a radical change In the
election laws OF this state, giving TO the
the right to rule. and with
drawing from the attorney general, the
secretary of state and the AUDITOR the
power to use their positions OF confidence
and trust to further their shameless de-
vices to assist themselves and their
friends and defraud the people; and we
pledge the democratic party to use all
means to secure the passage
Of such laws as will prevent repetition
OF the disgraceful scenes and acts which
the republican state con-
vention at Wichita and in the First and
Second congressional districts OF this
state.
We are in favor OF the revision Of the
jury law in order that trials may be ex-
pedited and the taxpayers relieved OF UNI
necessary burdens In the way OF court
costs.
We favor home rule in the government
Of cities and counties. believing that the
people OF their respective communities
are intelligent and capable enough to
their own affairs without outside
aid or interference.
We further declare In favor OF protect
lnp Iahor no well aa canifal Each has