The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-08-06
PLATFORM or THE
INDEPENDENCE PARTY

M.Mr4N
into the reasonabieness or rates n prac-
tees, and no increase In rates should be
put into effect until opportunity for such
investigation is afforded. The Interstate
Commerce commission should proceed at
once with physical valuation OF railroads
engaged In Interstate ommerce
Trusts.
We believe that legitimate organizationa
In business designed to secure an economy
OF operation and increased production are
beneficial wherever the public particlpates
In the ~dvantag which result.
We denounce all combinations for re-
Of monopoly in all products OF labor and
declare that such combinations are not
combinations for production, but for ex-
@tortion and that activity in this direction
infractions Of the antitrust law or the
interstate commerce act we believe In the
enforcement Of q prison penalty against
management Of the offending corporations
rather than a fine imposed on the stock
holders.
Public Ownership.
We advocate the extension Of the princi-
pie OF public ownership of public utilities,
including railroads, as rapidly as munich
pal, state or national governments shall
utilities for the public benefit. We favor.
specifically government ownership of the
telegraph, such as prevails In every other
civilized country Of the world, and de-
mand as an Immediate, measure that the
government shall purchase and operate
the telegraphs in connection with the pos
tai service.
Parcels Post.
The parcels post system should be rap
idly and widely extended, and govern
ment postal savings banks should be es-
tabiished where the peoples deposits
to the people OF the locality OF the several
banks and at a rate OF interest TO be fixed
by the government.
Good Roads.
We favor the immediate development of
q national system of good roads, including
national aid TO the states In the construc-
Postal Censorship.
We favor a court review OF the censor
ship and arbitrary rulings of the postoffca
Dealing In Futures.
We advocate such legislation, both state
and national, as will suppress the bucket
shop and prohibit the fictitious selling of
farm products for future delivery.
National Health Bureau.
We favor the creation OF q national de-
over by a member OF the medical profess
sion, this department to exercise such
authority over matters Of public health.
erly within the Jurisdiction OF the national
government n does not interfere with
the rights of states or municipalities.
AsIattc EXCLUSION.
We oppose Asiatic immigration which
does not ~amalgamate with our population,
creates race issues and which reduces
wages and tends to lower the high stand
ard of living and high standards Of NOR
atty which the American citizen has es-
tablished. We demand the passage Of an
exclusion act which shall protect Amert-
can w~orkingmen from competition with
Asiatic cheap labor, n which shall pro-
tect American civilization from the con-
~tamination Of Asiatic conditions.
The Navy.
The Independence party declares for
peace and against aggression, and win
Of international disputes by arbitration.
We believe, however, that a small navy
Is poor economy and that q strong navy Is
the best protection in time of war and the
vor the speedy building OF a navy suf-
ficiently strong to protect at the same
time both the Atlantic and the Pacific
coasts OF the United States.
Inland Waterways.
We rejoice In the adoption by both the
democratic and republican platforms OF
the demand of the Independence party for
improved natural waterways, the Missis-
complete a ship canal from the gulf to the
great lakes. We favor the extension OF
this syetem to the tributaries OF the Mis-
SNAIL sissIPR Be e Serves and 5000 miles ADDED Lsde to
the coast line OF the United States. The
exclamation of arid lands should be con-
tinued and the irrigation program now
contemplated by the government extend
ed and steps taken for the, conservation
Of the country's natural resources, which
should be guarded not only against dew
a~station and waste, but against falling
into the control OF monopoly. The abuses
growing out of the administration OF our
forest preserves must be corrected and
provision should be made for free grazing
81 public lands outside of forest or other
reservations. In behalf Of the people re-
siding In arid portions of our western
5oIicy OF the federal government in sell
ing the exclusive use of water and cleo
tric power derived from public works to
private corporations thus creating a mo
those sections TO exorbitant charges for
light and, power and diverting enterprises
into channels for corporate greed and OPP
preston, and we demand that no more
exclusive contracts be made.
Protection Of American Citizens.
American citizens abroad, whether ma
tive born or naturalized, and OF whatever
race or creed, must be secured In the en-
der our treaties, and where such rights
are withheld by any country on the
ground of race or religious faith steps
should be taken to secure the removal
Of such unjust determination
election Of Senators; Income Tax.
We advocate the popular election OF
United States senators and of judges.
both state and federal, n favor a grad
uated income tax and any constitutional
amendment Necessary to these ends.
Equality Of opportunity, the largest
measure of Individual liberty consistent
with equal rights; the overthrow OF the
rule of special interests and the restora-
ton OF government by the majority exer-
cised for the benefit OF the whole com
munity--these are the purpose to which
the Independence party Is pledged, and we
invite the cooperation OF all patriotic and
progressive citizens irrespective OF party.
who are In sympathy with these princi-
pies and in favor Of their practical en-