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

Chicago. July 3l.-The independence
party adopted the following platform In
Its first convention:
We independent American citizens rep
~resenting the independence party In "A
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 determination
the bands OF selfish interests, political
trlcksters and corrupt bosses, n make
the government, as the founders intended,
an agency for tho 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 and dis
honest financiering. Multitudes OF defense
less investors, thousands of honest busi-
ness men and an army of idle working
men are paying the penalty. Year by year,
fostered by wasteful and reckless govern
mental extravaganza, by the manipulation
OF trusts and by a privilege-creating tar
tn, the cost OF living mounts higher and
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
ance. Prodigal OF promise they are 80
barren Of performances that to e party
OF independent voters the country must
look for the establishment of a new poll
icy n aNreturn to genuine popular gov
eminent
Our object is not to introduce violent In
noyations or startling new theories. We.
OF the Independence party, look back as
Lincoln did to the declaration OF inde-
p~endence as the fountain head Of all po-
litical inspiration. 1t Is not our purpose to
attempt TO revolutionize the American
system OF government, but to restore the
action OF the government to the principles
of Washington, Jefferson n Lincoln. II
Is not cs our purpose p either to .S Sffec1 a. 2 r adj
ernment, but to conserve for the citizens
of the United States their privileges n
liberties won for them by the founders Of
principles and policies upon which the ma
TONS greatness has been built.
The Independence party is, therefore, a
conservative force IN American politics
liberty and Independence, to honesty In
elections. to opportunity in business and
equality before the law. Those who be-
with 1t are convinced that a genuine de-
mocracy should exist; that a true repub-
lican form of government should continue;
that the power Of g SSns o9 SHOULD Ssha be
citizenship rather than for the benefit OF
n 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 sim
cere. The republican declaration that mo
Injunction or temporarily restraining or
der should be issued without notice ex-
cept where irreparable injury would re-
suit from delay is empty verbiage, for
a showing OF lrreparable injury can al
ways be made and is always made In ex-
The Democratic declaration that 'the In
functions should not be issued in any case
in which intunctions should not issue II
meaningless worthless.
Such insincere M meaningless declara-
tions place a low estimate upon the In
ing man and exhibit either ignorance of or
Indifference to the real interests OF labor.
The independence party condemns the
arbitrary use of the writ OF injunction
of the fundamental American right Of
trial by jury.
Farmers and Labcrers' Union. ~.
From the foundation of our government
down to 1872 the federal judiciary act pro-
hibited 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 urnn
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-
prived 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 just dis
ftribution of wealth through good wages
for workers and good prices for farmers
and which protect the employer and the
consumers through equality Of price for
labor and for product. We favor such leg
islation as will remove them from the OPP
ierations Of the antitrust law.
We indorse the eight-hour work day,
favor it's application to all government EN-
ployes and demand the enactment of laws
requiring that all work don for the gov
whether lone directly or Indirectly
through contractors or subcontractors,
shall be done on an eight-hour basis.
We favor the enactment Of 2 law con-
conspiracy to blacklist employees. 'r'
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.
for railway employees and for the travel
We call for the enactment OF stringent
rigid prohibition OF child labor through
co-operation between the state govern
ments and the national government.
We condemn the manufacture and sale
in competition with free labor manufac-
tured goods. We demand that convicts
shall be employed direct by the different
states IN the manufacture of products for
use I'm state institutions and in making
good roads, and In no case shall ~convicts
be hired u 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-
mand Immediate and vigorous correction.
To that end we favor federal inspection
under a strict civil service law.
Financial Policy.