Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-29
NEW PARTY'S APPEAL
Declaration of Principles
Adopted at Chicago.
BIDDING FOR LABOR VOTE.
Arbitrary Use Of Writ Of Injunction
Condemned.
TARIFF REVISION DEMANDED
Establishment Of Central Govern
ment Bank for Issue Of
Money Favored.

Our action is based upon q determine
ton to wrest the conduct Of public at
fairs from the hands Of selfish interests,
political tricksters and corrupt bosses,
and make the government. as the found
ers intended, an agency for the common
good
at a period of unexampled national
prosperity and promise staggering
blow was dealt to legitimate business by
the unmolested practice of stock water
ing and dishonest financiering. Multi
tudes Of defenseless investors, thousands
idle workingmen are paying the penalty.
Year by year. fostered by wasteful and
reckless governmental extravaganza. by
the manipulation of trusts and by a
privilege creating tariff the cost of liv-
ing mounts higher and higher Day by
further away from the people and more
firmly into the grip Of machine politi-
clans and party bosses.
Old Parties Scored.
'The republican and democratic parties
are not only responsible for these condi-
TONS but are committed to their indefl-
mite continuance. Prodigal of promises,
they are so barren Of performances that
to a new party of Independent voters the
country must look for the establishment
of a new policy and q return to genuine
popular government.
'Our object is not to introduce violent
innovations or startlingly new theories.
We. of the Independence party. look back,
as Lincoln did. to the Declaration of In
dependence as the fountain head Of all
political inspiration. 1t is not our purpose
to attempt to revoiutionize the American
system Of government, but to restore the
action OF the government to the principles
Of Washington and Jefferson and Lincoln
1t Is not our purpose either to effect q
radical change in the American system
Of government. but to conserve for the
citizens of the United States their privi-
leges and liberties won for them by the
founders of this government and to per-
petuate the principles and policies upon
which the nations greatness has been
built.
THE independence party is, therefore,
a conservative force in American politics,
devoted to the preservation Of American
liberty and independence. to honesty in
elections to opportunity in business and
to equality before the law. Those who
work with It are convinced that a gem
uine democracy should exist: that a true
republican form OF government should
continue: that the power Of goveument
should rest with the majority Of the peo-
pie. and that the government should be
conducted for the benefit of the whole
citizenship rather than for the special ad-
vantage Of a particular class
LABOR.
The plank on labor was as follows:
I'VE denounce the so-called labor planks
of the republican and democratic plat
forms as political buncombe and con-
parties claiming to be serious and sin
cere.
THE republican declaration that no
Injunction or temporary restraining order
should be issued without notice. except
where irreparable injury would result
from delay, Is empty verbiage. for
showing Of irreparable injury can always
be made, and is always made in ex parte
affldavits.
The democratic declaration that in
functions should not be issued in any
case In which injunctions should not is
sue II no industrial dispute were in
volved. is meaningless and worthless
Such insincere and meaningless declara-
lions place low estimate upon the in
telligence of the average American work
ingman and exhibit either ignorance Of
or Indifference to the real interests of
labor
The independence party condemns the
arbitrary use of the writ OF injr notion
OF the fundamental American right Of
trial by jury,
From the foundation of our govern
ment down to 1872 the Federal judiciary
act prohibited the issue of any injunction
without reasonable notice unfit after
nearing We assert that in all actions
growing out of dispute between employ
ers and employees concerning terms or
conditions Of employment no Injunction
should issue'until after trial upon the
merits. that such trial should be held be-
fore jury. and that in no case of alleged
contempt should any person be deprived
Of liberty without a trial by jury.
me independence party believes that
the distribution Of wealth Is as important
as the creation Of wealth. and Endorses
those organizations among farmers and
workers which tend to bring about Just
distribution Of wealth through good wages
for workers and good prices for farmers.
and which protect the employer and the
consumer through equality of price for
labor and for product. and we favor such
legislation as will remove them from the
operation OF the Sherman antitrust law.
I'VE tndorse the eight-hour work day.
employees. and demand the enactment of
laws requiring that all work done for the
government, whether federal or state.
and whether done directly or indirectly
through contractors or subcontractors.
shall be done on an eight-hour basis.
1--WE favor the enactment of a law de-
hning as illegal any combination or con-
spiracy to blacklist employees.
1--WE demand protection for workmen
through enforced use Of standard safety
ditions in the operation Of factories rail-
ways. mills, mines and all Industrial un-
dertakings.
I'VE advocate state and federal inspec-
ton of railways to secure a greater safety
for railway employees and for the travel
ing public. We call for the enactment
Of stringent laws fixing employers liabili-
ties and a rigid prohibition Of child labor
through cooperation between the state
governments and the national govern
ment.
1--WE condemn the manufacture and
sale Of prison-made goods in the open
market In competition with free labor
manufactured goods. We demand that
convicts shall be employed direct by the
different states in the manufacture OF
products for use In state institutions and
in making good roads, and in no case
shall convicts be hired out to contractors
or subcontractors. =
1--WE favor the creation Of department
Of labor. including mines and mining. the
head of which shall be member of the
Presidents cabinet.
THE great abuses Of grain inspection by
which the producers are plundered de-
mand immediate. and vigorous correction.
r that end we favor federal inspection
under strict civil service law"
INJUNCTION.
The Injunction plank follows:
1.-The independence party condemns the
arbitrary use Of the writ Of injunction
anil contempt proceedings as q violation