The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-09-15
HEARSTS NEW PARTY
Independence League Organized In
New York.
ADOPT PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES
Declares Itself independent Of Boss
Rule and Corporation Control and
Of Any Party Subject to These.
MyII Name Full Ticket
VIII Name Full Ticket

Ncw York. Sept -. The first two
toesions OF the independence League
headed by William Randolph Hearst
were held I'm this city. Temporary and
permanent organizations were perfect
cd. and amid much enthusiasm a
lengthy platform setting forth the
principles of the league was adopted.
Tho convention declared positively
in favor Of the nomination OF iui|
ticket and instructed the committo'
on resolutions 10 formulate a suitable
reply 10 W. j. COnnors and other dele
gates 10 the Democratic state conyen
ton. who presented a memorial askint
the Independence League TO defer nom
mating "A ticket until a conference
could be- had with the Democrats.
A feature of the night session wa
demonstration following the men
ton Of Mr. Hearsts name, which last
ed half an hour. Mr. Hearst dld no.
attend the sessions.
There was much disorder in the con
vention when a motion 10 adjourn wa
made after the routine business had
been concluded. Many Of the delegates
did not want 70 adjourn and protested
half a hundred or more clamoring for
recognition. while just as many cried
for adjournment
The committee on resolutions and
platform reported through Clarence }.
Shearn. its chairman. Mr.. Shearn wa'
choerod as "Our next attorney gen
cral." The platform sets forth the fun
damonial idea Of the league as inde-
pendent Of boss rule or corporation
control and OF any party subject n
these. II declares for "a free vote and
an honest count" and demands "a re-
vision Of the present dishonest and
complex election law. a simplihed bal
lot and law providing for a recount
in cases of fraud or mistakes"
The recent life insurance scandals
are referred 10 at some length, Gov
ernor Higgins Is denounced for failure
10 reorganize the state department and
new election of insurance companies
IS favored in case the present officials
in the coming elections maintain con-
troll through conniyance OF the insur-
ance department in underhand and IL
legal campaigning"
District Attorney Jerome is attacked
by name. as follows: I'VE express the
disgust felt by all good citizens oveT
the failure of District Attorney Je'
rome to prosecute criminally, regard
less Of their wealth or social position
those guilty Of insurance frauds
On the subject Of public ownership
the platform says. THE Independence
League believes in the public owner
ship Of public utilities that are natural
monopolies. Holding that no person OF
corporation is privileged to confscate
what rightfully belongs to another, II
stands for irreconciliable hostility ia
appropriations by corporations OF fran
chise values created by the community
and belonging to the community. Re-
spect for local rights and home rules
should authorize the enactment OF a
statute empowering all cities to acquire
and operate public necessities"
In conclusion. the platform says:
Honesty in public service. the rule OF
the majority. equality before the law
regard for the welfare Of the whole
people. independence in politics, op-
portunity in business. freedom Of gov
eminent from the grip Of corporation
control-these are the principles fo'
which the independence League is pre-
pared to battle"