Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-30
The PLATFORM

The following Is an abstract Of the In
dependence party platform adopted
unanimously:
We Independent American citizens.
representing the Independence party In
a states and two Territories have met
in national convention to nominate abso-
utely independent Of al! other political
parties, candidates for president and
vice-prcsiicnt Of the United States
Al period Of unexampled national
prosperity and promise staggering
blow was dealt to legitimate business by
the unmolested practice OF stock water
Ing and dishonest fnanciering Multi
tudcs OF defenselcss Investors. thousands
Of honest business mon and an army Of
Idle working men are paying the penalty.
Year by year, fostered by wastcful and
reckless governmental extravaganza
business by the manipulation OF trusts
and by privilege creating tariff. the
cost Of living mounts higher and higher.
Day by day tho control OF the govern
mont drifts away from the people and
moro firmly into the grip of machine
politicians and party bosses.
THE Republican and Democratic par
tics are not only committed to their In
definite continuance. Prodigal OF prom
iscs. they are so barren Of performance
that to new party of Independent vo-
tors the country must look for tho estab-
ishmcnt OF n new policy and return -
genuine popular government
at is not our purpose to attempt to
revolutionizc the American system OF
government but to restore the action OF
the government to the principles OF
Washington and jefferson and Lincoln.
THE Independence party is, therefore
"A conservative force In American politics
devoted to the preservation Of American
liberty and In dependence to honesty ir
elections. to opportunity in business and
TO equality before the law"
PLATFORM DECLARATIONS.
The platform favors direct nomina tons
tho initiative and referendum and the
right TO recall public officials from the
public service and demands severe and
effective Legislation against all forms OF
corrupt practices at elections
The platform advocates prohibiting the
Use Of any money at elections except for
meetings literature and the necessary
travelling expenses Of candidates. bid
ding for votes" the platform says 1.-The
republican and democratic candidates
nre making an outcry about publicity OF
contributions although both the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties have for
years consistently blocked every effort
to pass corrupt practices act.
Gross extravaganza Of federal ad-
mnistration" is condemned as Is also.
"the evil OF over-captitalization."
LABOR.
we denounce the so-called labor
planks of the republican and demo
cratic platforms as political buncombt
and contemplate clap-trap unworthy
of national parties claiming to be
serious and sincere.
THE republican declaration that
no Injunction or temporary restrain.
ing order should be issued without
notice, except where irreparable in
jury would result from delay is emp.
ty verbiage, for a showing of IRE.
parable injury can always be made
and is always made Is exparte AMI.
davits.
THE democratic declaration tina,
injunctions should not be issued ir
any case In which intunctions should
not issue II no Industrial dispute were
involved Is meaningless and worth.
less.
Tile Independence party condemn.
the arbitrary use OF the writ OF in
junction and contempt proceedings a.
a violation of the Fundamental AmerI
ri he,
From the foundation OF our gov,
eminent down to 1872 the federal tud
iciary act prohibited the Issue OF an,
injunction without reasonable motto,
until after a hearing. We assert tina,
In all actions growing out OF d,.
pute between employers and employe,
concerning terms or conditions OF en-.
pIoyment. no injunction should issu,
until after trial upon the merits. tina
such trlai should be held before a tur,
ana that In no case Of allcped con.
tempt should any person he den,i,.,
OF liberty without trial h.. ,,r,.
"The Independence party bo,,o,.os 81.
the distribution OF wealth is as In,
~. 'a"' rs the creation OF wealth an,
'hdorses those organizations among farr
| "'''- WI ncis WnlCI tend IN hrip,
about Just distribution OF wealt,
through good wages for workers an,
good prices for farmers and which MO-
tect the employer and the consnm.
through equality OF price for labor an,
ior product. and We favor such lertsIs
tion AS VIII remove them from the onera
ton OF the Sherman antitrust law"
WOULD PROHIBIT BLACK11srs
The platform endorses the eight hon
DAY and demands laws to incur II on -,
government work: favors enactment q
a law 10 prohibit the blacklist; demand
protection for worknen through enforce,
use OF standard safety appliances an,
provision OF hygienic conditions: ad
vocates State and federal inspection n
railways to secure greater safety 70
railway employees and for the ,rayelin
public: condemns the manufacture an
sale OF prison made goods: fayors tn
creation OF n department OF labor. in
Guiding mines and mining, the head O
when shall be member OF the Pres,
81