The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-03-03
THE ST. LOUIS ADDRESS.

The ST. LUIS ADDhESS.
We are fundamentally opposed to
the present unjust distribution of
wealth, that creates system of So
ciety in which the few get, without
working, while the manJ work with
out getting; system which must re-
suit in either anarchy or despotism,
| and the total destruction of our re-
public. This condition is due to the
| monopoly of natural opportunities and
the creation Of special privileges by
law.
We maintain that this government,
which was Dedicated by the fathers
of the republic, to freedom and equal
ity of opportunity, shall fulfill its true
mission. We Jemand Tie OF ening to
all OF the opportunities of nature and
the abolition nf all special privileges
In both of the great political parties
of the nation are to be found two ir-
recoDcilable factions, one in favor Of
governmental usdipation, tending to
the establishment Of new feudalism,
and the other standing tor Industrial
and political Liberty.
In the peoples party of the nation
lies the only hoIe of lhe perpetual
ton Of popular institutions.
We ratify and reafifm the fInda-
mental principles of the platform of
the peoples party adopted 1t its ma
tional convention in Omaha in 1892.
Free speech, frcs press, trial by jury
and the rights of the people peaceably
| to assemble, are the constitutional
rights of every American citizen. We
oppose their violation by injunctions
issued by courts CT equity.
We hold thai the right to issue and
| coin money and to regulate the value
| thereof is solely function OF the SOW
| eminent.
| We demand public ownership and
operation of those public utilities
which are in tneIr nature natural mo-
nopolies, such as the railroad, tele-
| phone, gas and electric lighting. AS
to those trusts and moEcpones which
are not public utilities Of natural mo-
nopolies, we demand that those spe-
cial privileges which they Low enjoy,
and which alone enable them to ex
list, should be Immediately withdrawn.
| Corporations being the creatures Of
| government, should be subjected TO
such governmental regulation and
control as will adequately protect the
public. We demand the taxation Of
monopoly privileges, while they re-
main in private hands, TO tFe extent
of the value of the privileges granted.
We favor the initiative and referen-
dunn; the former to the end that the
people may compel the enactment OF
good laws; the latter to the end that
the people may veto legislative meas
ureS.
| We favor the direct domination OF
candidates for elective public office by
direct vote of the people, and the cleo
tion of the United States senator's and
federal judges by the people.
The platform OF the peoples party
made at Omaha in 1892 was originally
made in a conference called and heic
by the labor organizations February
%, 1892. We. therefore invite the
|, wealth-producerS TO take part in the
primaries that shall choose delegates
to our CONVENTION, guaranteeing lna1
the influence of This party shall bt
given to advance the interests of or
gained labor by the recognition o.
the union label on manufactured pod
ucts, as well IS IN legislation, which
at last is the only hope of just cen
! ditions for labor
We criticise as unfair, illegal ant
unjust, those 'eoisions of the couru
J declaring the labor law unconstltu
tional, and we demand a constitu
tional amendment authorizing legs
J lation requiring tie state, Llunicipal
tiles and pubic f-anchise-owing cor
porations, their contrac, ors ana sub
} contractors, to pa worhmen the PIE
vailing rates OF wages, and that upol
public works, eight hours shall con
} stjtute a days work, and We deman,
! the abolition OF the contract system
upon public work.
} We invite the cooperation or al
. reform forces believing IN the aboy
!. pIinciples.
: ,ALL.
!, The Joint committees OF the reform
!. forces. representing the nsoples part