The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-23

Editor Independent: The under
signed is not DO dittt in the sense
that he has ever dd,ocd,td all the Goc-
trines of the party or even trained
with its promoters, or ever voted for
it's candidates. This, however, does not
prevent him from recognizing the good
there is in populism. He is not afraid
OF name, however ridiculed; nor is
he impressed by the absurd charges
which the party Of the gold standard,
trusts, and imperialism, has used with
systematic indiscrimination against a
party which has threatened to under
mine the beneficiaries of governmental
favoritism. He is not one Of those
who imagine that nothing is worthy OF
consideration which does not bear
their political label; nor is he SO hide
bound that he cannot appreciate merit
wherever found. A dispassionate
glance at a few Of the leading demands
of a party composed of so many earn
est, patriotic men, and which has ex-
ercised SO much influence in recent
American politics, may be beneficial.
The Nebraska Independent thus states
the leading planks OF the populist
platform, and for convenience sake
they will be considered in the order
given.
/. All money shall be issued by the
general government in such quantities
as to maintain stable prices.
2. The government ownership of
railroads, telegraphs, telephones, and
municipal mOnOpOlieS.
8. Election Of United States sena-
tors by the people.
4. Criminal prosecution of the
trusts under the present antitrust
law and such further legislation as is
needful to suppress them.
s. An income tax.
6. An eight-hour day, at least for
all occupations that are dangerous to
life and health.
Z. The prohibition of government
by Injunction.
8. Make it crime for any railroad
to offer passes to any judge, law
maker, or any national, state, county,
municipal, precinct, or other public
officer.
8. Opposition to all Imperialism
and an insistence on the doctrines of
the Declaration of Independence, and
especially the declaration that govern
ments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed
10. The establishment of postal saw
ings banks.
II. The adjustment of every special
privilege of every sort.
IL. A revision of the tariff which
shall include putting on the free list
every article that is exported and sold
abroad in competition with the pau
per labor of Europe.
l.. Money Is valuable only as it pro-
cures the necessaries, comforts, or lux
uries Of life The wages Of the Ameri-
can laborer are not, per Sc, a criterion
of his prosperity. The determining
question Is. How much will the wages
purchase? Wages may be 30 per cent
higher now than in 1894, but IL the
market Is 80 per cent higher, as sta
tistics would appear to, indicate, OF
what substantial benefit has the
Wanted republican prosperity" been
to the American laborer? Again. II a
mar horrows $1,000 and repays II at q
time when II will buy only ~ pei
cent of what il would have purchased
at the time OF the loan. does not the
debtor receive an unearned Increment
OF 1857 Or. II the $1,000 be repaid
when II viii purchase 12s per cent oi
what II would have bought wher
loaned. IL not the creditor unduly ben,
Gifted 10 like extent7 Are not n de-
preciatinK and an appreclating dollar
alike inequltahlef Under present con
ditions. this fluctnation In the rea
value OF money In constant and FIRE
quently considerable, aud. In so far 81
the populst propaganda contcmplatei
more stable prices through an agcnc,
representing the whole people. the dc
mand In question would seem to b
connnnanl with the most ordinary con