The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-08-06
INDEPENDENCE PARTY PLATFORM

The following is the platform
adopted al the Chicago convention OF
the Independence party:
We, independent American citizens
representing the Independence party IN
forty four states and two territories
have met in national convention 70
nominate absolutely independent OF all
other political parties, candidates Tor
president and vice-preSideul OF the
United States. our action is based
upon determination 70 wrest the con
duct Of public affairs from the hands
Of selfish interests. political tricksters
and corrupt bosses and make the gov
eminent, ar the founders Intended, an
agency for the common good
AT period of uneXAmpled national
prosperity and promise, "A staggering
blow was dealt TO legitimate business
by the unmolested practice or stock
watering and dishonest tnaneiering.
Multitudes of. defenseless investors,
thousands Of honest business men and
an army OF idle workingmen are pay
ing the penalty. Year by year, fos-
tered by wasteful and reckless govern
mental eNtraNagance by the manlpula-
tion OF trusts and by privilege
creating tariff the cost of living
mounts higher and higher. Day by
drifts further away from the people
and more firmly into the grip of ma
chine politicians and party bosses.
The Republican and Democratic par
iitb are not bHl9 ItspOuSiDlt IOI THESE
conditions, but are committed to their
indefinite continuance. Prodigal of
promises, they are so barren of prefer
ence that To IA new party Of indepen-
dent voters the country must look for
the establishment OF "a new policy and
a return to genuine popular govern
ment.
Look for Indepe ndence.
Our object is not TO introduce violent
Innovations or startling new theories.
s.f u a IL
back, AS Lincoln did, to the Derlara-
ton OF Independence as the fountain
head of all political inspiration. 1t is
nor our purpose to attempt to reyolu-
uonize the American system of govern
ment but to restore the action of the
government to the principles Of Wash
ington and Jefferson and Lincoln.
III Is not our purpose either TO effect
radical change In the American syS-
TEN OF government, but to conserve for
the citizens of the United States their
privileges ana liberties won for them
by the founders of this government,
and to perpetuate the principles and
policies upon which the nations great
ness has been built.
The Independence party is, therefore,
a conservative force In American poll
ties. devoted to the preservation Of
American liberty and Independence to
honesty In elections. to opportunity In
business. and equality before the law
Thoso who believe in the Independence
party and work with IL are convinced
That genuine democracy should ex-
ist that true republican form of
government should continue; that the
power OF government should rest with
the majority OF the people, and that
the government should be conducted
for the benefit OF the whole citizenship.
rather than for the special advantages
or any particular class
or First Importance.
AS of first importance. in order to
restore the power of government to the
people. to make their will supreme in
the primaries. In the elections, and in
the control OF public officials after
they have been elected, we declare for
direct nominations, the initiative and
referendum. and the right Of recall.
~ Is idle TO cry out against the evil
oI oossism while we perpetuate a sys
tenn under which the boss is newt
able The destruction OF an individual
boss Is OF little value. The people In
their politics must establish system
lectionable boss. but the system of
bossism- Representative goyernm is |
made mockery by the system OF
modern party conventions dominated
We demand the natural remedy OF d. |
rect nominations. by which the people |
not only elect but, which is far more
important select their representatives |
The Referendum.
We believe In the principle of the
tcuiarly demand that no franchise |
grant go into operation until the terms |
ana conditions have been approved by |
popular vote In the locality Interested |
The Recall.
We demand for the people the right |
70 recall public officials from the pub |
lie service. The power to make of. |
helals resides In the people, and in |
them also should reside the power 10 |
n u make ana remove from office any Of |
IN tV4stf L.
or betrays the public trust
Corrupt Practices Mt Elections.
OF next Importance In DESTROYING the
power OF selfish special interests and
the corrupt political bosses whom
they control Is to wrest from their
mana tne main weapon, the corruption
fund We demand severe and effeetive
legislation against all forms of cor
fuptlon AT elections and advocate nro-
nlultihe the use or any money ut cleo
and the necessary travelling expenses
~ candidates, Bidding for votes. the
republican and Democratic candidates
are making an cutlery about publicity
81 contributions, although both the
republican and Democratic parties
nave for years consistently blocked
every .euort TO pass a corrupt practices
act Publicity of contributions il a. |
sirable and should be required I'm, tba
nam matter OF Importance is the use
TO which contributions are nut wa
believe that the dishonest use of
money IN the past whether contrib
lted by individuals or by corporations
mas neen chiefly responsible for the
'ottuptiou which has undermined our
sSS'eh OF popular government
Demand for Economy.
we demand honest conduct OF publtc
'ncs anu busincss-like and economical
administration OF public affairs, and
~ condemn the gross extravaganza 81
suN'ai auhinistraton and it's appau-
ns annual Increase In appropriations
unnecessary appropriations mean mn
'FtesSaFy taxes, and unnecesSarv
axes, whether direct or Indirect ara
,atu oy the people and add to the ever
Increasing cost of living
overrapissiisation.
We condemn the evil Of oyerc,pt,,,
cation Modern Industrial sn,1lt,t'ai
MAKE the corporation and stock COW,
amy necessity. but ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
= corporations Is as harmful nnd rrtr, ,
asi as 70 personal dishonesty In nr ,
ii,'it ,uuaI compelling the payment OF
I's'oehas upon great sums that haya
leset been invested upon masses ~
ss.eteo stock not justified nv ina ,
property, and overcapttallsation ~,
=, " the pHttef wages, the hotter puh- '
y service and the lower coSt ~,
hould result from America, I,,,. .uat !
Shus, ana that wide urxnnlsati,. |
'hth Is replacing costly lnafV{d,-t | !
onpvttIoh The collapse Of disSn,'
sN maated enterprises rohs invest. I
nd engcndsrs panies Tha t r.,"
ehse party advocates as a nrt,ea |
"NtsNltN Tor sounder business renstt 1
.ehs aad improved public service ~. ,
= .' tu.sht OF laws, state aud nAttonaI :
N"'eat nk OF stock. dishonest :
'a'm 10 Have Checked consplra,v