The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-08-06
FIRST PLATFORM or THE
LMDEPENDENCEPA

into the r-easonableness Of rates and 49,
tlces, and no Increase In rates should NJ
investigation is afforded. The Intersta.s
Commerce commission should proceed s I
once with physical valuation Of railroasiss
engaged IN interstate commerce. S5s
Trusts.
We believe tina legitimate organiza t,ox.
IN business designed to secure an econonay
OF operation and increased production ars
beneficial wherever the public participate
We denounce all combinations for r.SS
straint OF trade and for the establishment
declare that such c~ombinations la aps and nOa
combinations for production, but for eys
%tortion. and that activity In this directiona3
ine not eet INDUSTRY, but robbery. In cases Of
interstate commerce act we believe In thss
enforcement OF q prison penalty againsf
management of the OFFENDING corporatlons
rather than a fine imposed on the stock
holders.
Public Ownership.
We advocate the extension Of the prino,.
pie OF public ownership OF public Utilities
Including railroads, as rapidly .assfounicit
pal l,o state Or national governments shan
utilities for the public benefit. We favor
specifically government ownership Of thes
telegraph, such as prevails In every other
mand as an immediate measure that thss
government shall purchase and operats.a
tns leIegraphs IN connection with the pos-
Parcels Post.
The parcels post system should be ran
idly and widely extended, and govern
t n s1,s, postal savings banks should be es-
would be secure, the money to be loane6s
to the people of the locality OF the several
banks and at a rate Of interest to be ixeGs
by the government.
Good Roads.
We favor the Immediate development or
a national system of good roads, including
national aid to the states in the construc-
ton and maintenance OF post roads.
Postal Censorship.
We favor a court lev1ew of the censor
ship and arbitrary rulings Of the postofhcas
department.
Dealing in Futures.
We advocate such legislation, both state
shop and prohibit the fictitious selling OF
farm products for future delivery.
National Health Bureau.
We favor the creation of a national de-
partment Of public health, to be presided
over by a member of the medical profess
sion, this department to exercise SUCH
authority over matters Of public health,
hygiene and sanitation which come prop
erly within the jurisdiction of the national
government and does not interfere with
the rights of states or municipalities.
Asiatic Exclusion.
We oppose Asiatic immigration which
|QOCS ltoI LID d1Idl j u UODuldlOQ.HH
creates race Issues and which reduces
wages and tends to lower the high stand
ard OF living and hig standards of NOR
atty which the American citizen has es-
tablished. We demand the passage of am
exclusion act which shall protect Ameri-
can .w~orkingmen from competition with
tect American civilization from the con-
tamination of Asiatic conditions.
Tho Navy.
The independence party declares for
peace and against aggression. and win.
promote the movement for the settlement
of international disputes by arbitration.
We believe, however, that a small navy
Is poor economy and thai a strong navy ie
best preventive of war. We therefore Ia
yor the speedy ! uilding Of a navy suf-
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-
sippi inland deep waterways project, to-
complete a ship canal from the gulf to the
! great lakes. We favor the extension of.
this system to the tributaries Of the Mis-
sissippi, by means OF which thirty states
the coast line Of the United States. The.
| reclamation of arid lands should be con.
tinued and the irrigation program now.
ed and steps taken for the conservation
Of the country's natural resources. which.
Should be guarded not only against dew
into the control OF monopoly. The abuses;
growing out OF the Administrations our
forest preserves must be corrected and
provision should be made for free grazing
ct public lands outside Of forest or Other
! reservations. In behalf of the people re-
siding In arid portions of our western.
states we protest vigorously against the
policy Of the federal government In SELL
Ing the exclusive use Of water and cleo
trio power derived from public works to.
private corporations, thus creating a mo-
nopoly and subjecting. citizens living In
those sections to exorbitant charges for
light and power and diyerting 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
race or creed must Be secured in the en-
joyment OF all rights and privileges UNI
der our treaties, and where such rights
ground of race or religious faith steps.
should be taken to secure the removals
Of such unjust discrimination.
Election Of Senators; income Tax.
We advocate the popular election Of
both state and federal, and favor q grad
uated income tax and any constitutional
amendment necessary to these ends.
measure of individual liberty consistent
with equal rights; the overthrow Of the-
rule OF special interests and tho restora-
ton of government by the majority exer-
| cised for the benefit OF the whole com
munity-these are the purposes 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-
Increment.
TO HELP PREACHER
WIN HIS BRIDE