The Mena weekly star., 1908-04-09
POPUL|ST PLATFORM |
COMMITTEE SPENT THE ENTIRE NIGHT IN FRAMING THE CON-
 MENTION RESOLUTIONS.
MAIN FIGHT WAS OVER PLANK ON MONEY
National Banking Law Criticized and Demand Made That Power to Issue Money Be Taken From Banks-AI. drlch and Fowler Bills Denouncea- For Government Ownership.

St. Louis. Apr. 4.-The platform sub mitted to the Popufist convention was completed at daylight after an all night session of the committee on resolutions. Much consideration was given to the money plank and when finally accepted by majority of the committee it was not satisfactory to the minority and fight over its phraseology was made on the noor of the convention. As prepared by the committee this plank declared that the issuing of money is a function of the government alone that should not be delegated to any corporation or in dustry. The demands made that mon. ey be issued direct to the people with out the intervention of banks and be full legal tender for all debts, pub lie and private. The working of the national banking law is criticized and the demand made that the power to Is sue money be taken from the banks. The Aldrich bill is denounced as "a method by which the nation and the people can both be robbed. It has not in 1t an intelligent purpose that is honest" The Fowler bill is also denounced.
 The plank on trusts demands that the government own and control the railroads, and all public utilities which in their nature are monopolies. Own ership of the general telegraph and telephone lines and a parcels post were also asked. The taxation of monopoly privileges while they remain in private hands is another feature of this plank. Other blanks submitted favored initiation and referendum and the power to recall from ofice disloyal or inefficient representatives.
 The enactment of legislation looking to the improvement of conditions for wage earners.
 Abolition of child labor and suppress sion of sweat shops.
 Abolition of convict, as oprosed tc free labor.
 Exclusion from American shores of foreign pauper labor.
 Eight-hour work day and legislation in favor of safety appliances for work ing men.
 Enactment of an employers liabil- ity act within constitutional bounds.
 Immediate adoption of precaution- ary measures to prevent repetition of recent mining disasters.
 Work on public improvements in times of depression, for unemployed men.
 The passage of law prohibiting courts from assuming jurisdiction in volving the constitutionality of any law enacted by congress and approved by the president.
 The maintaining of farmers organi cations and extension of their power and influence.
 The first clash of the day in the convention came on the report of the committee on permanent organization which recommended that Geo. A. Hon. necker of New Jersey be made per manent chairman. w. R. Jones of Ne braska moved as substitute to the report that the temporary organization be made permanent. MT. Coxey asked that the motion be withdrawn saying that he desired to divide the honors with the east. The report was adopt ed and MT. Hornnecker elected per. manent chairman.
 Mir. Hornnecker made an address of considerable length in which he vigor ously attacked the courts of the coun. try under whose rulings he declared many gross injustices had been com mitted. Following his address the re port of the committee on resolutions was presented.