The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-14
The Springfield Platform.
Lincoln, Neb.

INV VRtsn6pSsS
Editor independent: l believe that
one of the glorious triumphs OF the
peoples party is in the fact that 1T
has encouraged the right OF all to free
-iy express honest convictions, and 10
give all such opinions respectful near
ing. In this spirit I desire to express
myself upon the Springfield platform.
I wish at the outset to say that the
preamble to that platform is splen-
did platform in itself. In a calm, dis
passionate and intelligent way, 1t pre-
pares the ground for what so well fol-
lows. It is not the vicious spirit SO
often exhibited by some who class
themselves as reformers, but it is that
of a well balanced mind alive to the
dangerous tendencies of our time. l
heartily commend the preamble.
The first of the declaration OF prln-
ciples is sound, though, for one,
would prefer to see the money plank
still more specific. While safe enough
to prevent any president elected upon
it or representatives under II from
fayoring any monopolistic schemes OF
financiers, by providing against any
currency redeemable in other forms
of money, still it might have stated
this position more definitely However,
it is good enough to receive hearty
support I, of course, cannot agree
that the money question is SO import
ant that it should always occupy first
place in our platforms. AS the earth
(the land) was made before money,
and though we might exist without any
form Of money, we cannot exist separ-
ate from the land, so believe that the
land question must be the paramount
question and am confident that 1T will
yet become so.
The platform, too, takes the fair and
logical position upon the question OF
organized labor Just SO long as UNI
fair economic conditions exist, 1t will
remain necessary for labor OF all
grades to organize, and it must be &C
corded every privilege and right be-
fore the law that any other form or
combination receives.
Especially commendable is the plank
upon direct legislation, proportional
representation and the right OF recall.
Important as it may be for the people
through their government to own rail-
roads. telegraphs and other public
utilities. or those lines Of industry that
require franchise, 1t is even more
| important that the people shall own
their public officials, as they will do
when they secure direct legislation,
rather than that their public officials
shall own them. as now.
Fundamentally, the pronouncement
upon the land question Is sound and
well presented, but 1t. too, must be
more specific before IL VIII command
the attention that such a plank de-
serves. There Is only one way that
speculative and alien ownership OF
land can be prevented, and We ought
TO be sufficiently manly and courage
ous TO say IL. III society VIII take
10 itself those enormous values that
attach to land by reason OF the pres
ence OF population and to mining prop
critics from the fact that In them II
contained metals necessary To satisfy
the wants Of man. then not only viii
the speculative values (which alone
cause monopollstlc spectators 10 cor
ner the landl disappear. but their
disappearance will prevent alien own
ershlp. For neither allen nor domestic
land grabhcrs will bother about IN
vestments In lands. except when they
; possess speculative values. Tax These
speculative values Into the public
treasury, where they honestly belong
and then land monopoly will die the
death. and not until then.
do not agree that the government
should either regulate or control
those trusts and monopoiiea which
are not public utilities or natural mo.