Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-08-07
FIRST PLATFORM OF THE
INDEPENDENCE PARTY

SAiId6Os 0hly 49, ~ AhGtpStAaCAAN
party adopted the following platform II
its first convention:
We independent American citizens rep
resenting the independence party in 4
states and two territories have met In ma
tional convention TO nominate, absolutely
independent of all other political parties
candidates for president and vice president
OF the United States.
Our action is based upon a determinatior
to wrest the conduct of public affairs from
the hands OF selfish interests, politica
tricksters and corrupt bosses. and make
the government, as the founder intended
an agency for the common good.
At a period of ~unexampled national pros
perity and promise, a staggering blow was
dealt to legitimate business by the unmo'
Tested practice of stock watering n dis
honest fnanciering Multitudes OF defense
less investors, thousands OF honest bust
ness men and an army OF idle working
men are paying the penalty. Year by year
fostered by wasteful and reckles govern
mental extravaganza, by the manipulation
OF trusts n by a privilege-creating tar.
in, the cost Of living mounts higher anc
higher. Day by day the control OF the
government drifts further away from the
people and more firmly into the grip OF
machine politicians and party bosses. The
republican and democratic parties are not
only responsible for these conditions, but
are committed to their indefinite contlnu-
ance. Prodfgal of promise they are SO
barren Oh performance Iildl 20 ~ il0W pa y
OF independent voters the country must
look for the establishment of a new pol
icy and a return TO genuine popular gov
eminent
Our object Is not 10 introduce violent In
novations or startling new theories. We,
OF the Independence party, look back as
Lincoln did TO the declaration or lnde-
pendence as the fountain head OF all po-
litical inspiration. II Is not our purpose 10
attempt TO revolutionize the American
system of government, but TO restore the
action OF the government 10 the principles
OF Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. IL
is not our purpose either TO affect a radi-
cal change in the American system of gov
eminent, but to conserve for the citizens
of the United States their privileges and
liberties won for them by the founders OF
this government and TO perpetuate the
principles and policies upon which the ma
TONS 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
equality before the law. Those who be-
lieve In the independence party and work
with II are convinced that a genuine de-
mocracy should exist: that a true repub-
lican form OF government should continue;
that the power OF government should be
conducted for the benefit of the whole
citizenship rather h for the benefit OF
any particular class.
Labor.
We denounce the so-called labor planks
OF the republican and democratic plat
forms as political buncombe and con-
temptlble clap trap unworthy of national
parties claiming to be serious and sin
cere. The republican declaration that mo
or temporarily restraining or
der shoul be issued without notice eX-
cept where ~irreparable injury would re-
suit from delay" Is empty verbiage, for
a showing of irreparable injury can al
be made and is always made in ex-
parte ~affidayits.
The democratic declaration that "the in
functions should not be issued in any case
In which injunctions should not issue II
industrial dispute We're involved" Is
meaningless and worthless.
Such ~insincere and meaningless declara-
tions place a low estimate upon the in
telligence Of the average American work
ing man and exhibit either ignorance of or
to the real interests OF labor.
The independence party condemns the
arbitrary use of the writ of injunction
and contempt proceedings as a violation
OF the fundamental American right of
trial by jury.
Farmers and Laborers' Union.
From the foundation of our government
to 1872 the federal judiciary act pro-
the issue of any injunction with
out reasonable notice until after a hear
Ing. We assert that in all actions grow
ing out of a dispute between employers
and employees concerning terms or con-
ditions of employment. no injunction
should be issued until after a trial upon
its merits, that such trial should be had
before a jury and that In no case of al
legged contempt should any person be de-
priyed of liberty without a trial by jury.
The independence party believes that the
distribution OF wealth is as important as
the creation of wealth and indorses those
organizations among farmers and work
ers which tend to bring about a lust dis
trthIfttnn pf wealth thFntQh pOOd ua oaa
for workers and good prices for farmers
and which protect the employer and the
through equality of price for
labor and for product, We favor such leg
as VIII remoye them from the OPP
erations of the antitrust law.
We indorse the eight-hour work day,
favor Its application 10 all government en-
ployes and demand the enactment of laws
requiring that all work lone for the gov
eminent. whether federal or state. and
whether lone directly or indirectly
through contractors or subcontractors,
shall be done on an eight-hour basis.
We favor the enactment of q law con-
demning as illegal any combination or
conspiracy to blacklist employees.
We demand protection for workmen
through enforced use OF standard safety
appliances and provisions OF hygienic
conditions In the operation of factories,
railways. mills. mines and all Industrial
undertakings.
We advocate state and federal inspec-
ton OF railways, 10 secure a greater SafetY
for railway employees and for the travel
public.
We call for the enactment OF stringent
laws fixing employers liabilities and a
rigid prohibition OF child labor through
cooperation between the state govern
ments and the national government.
We condemn the manufacture and sale
of prison made goods In the open market
In competition with free labor manufac-
tured goods. We demand that convicts
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 couvicts
be hired out to contractors. or sub-con-
tractors.
We favor the creation OF a department
of labor. including mines and mining, the
head of which shall be a member OF the
presidents cabinet.
The great abuses OF grain inspection by
which the producers are ~plundered de-
immediate and vigorous correction.
To that end we favor federal inspection
under a strict civil service law.
Financial Policy.
The independence party declares that the
right 10 Issue money Is inherent In tho
government and II favors the establish
ment OF a central governmental bank