The morning journal-courier., 1908-07-29
TEXT OF PLATFORM
Conservative" Document as Adopted
 by Independence Party.

lnuepenuence party lS as folloWs
 We, independent American citizens, representing the independence party in forty-four states and two territo- ries. have met In national 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 deter imitation to wrest the conduct of pub lie affairs from the hands of selfish interests. political trlcksters and cor rupt bosses, and make the govern ment, as the founders intended, an agency for the common good.
 The Independence party Is a conserv- ative force in American politics. de- voted to the preservation of American liberty and independence to honesty in elections, to opportunity in business and to equality before the law.
 Direct nominations: As of first im- portance 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 pub lie officials after they have been elect ed we declare for direct nominations. the initiative and referendum and the right of recall -
 Corrupt practice at 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 hands, their main weapon, the corruption fund We de- mand severe and effective legislation against all forms of corrupt practices at elections and advocate prohibiting the use of any money at elections ex- cept for meetings. literature and the necessary travelling expenses of candi- dates s.s
 Economy: We demand honest con duct of public office and business like and economical administration of pub lie affairs. and we condemn the gross extravaganza of federal administration and its appalling annual increase In ap- populations.
 Over capitalization: We condemn the evil of over-capitallzation Modern in- dustrial conditions make the corpora 1 ton and stock company necessity, but r-capitalization in corporations Is as harmful and criminal. l Labor: The independence party con demns the arbitrary use of the writ of injunction and contempt proceedings as violation of the fundamental ! American right of trial by Jury.
 From the foundation of our govern ment down to 1872 the federal judc- iary act prohibited the issue of any l injunction without reasonable notice until after hearing. We assert that in all actions growing out of a dis pute between employers and employcs concerning terms of conditions of em- l ployment, no injunction should issue until after trial upon the merits that such trial should be held before jury and that no case of alleged contempt should any person be de- l prived of liberty without a trial by jury
 The independence party believes that the distribution of wealth is as l important as the creation of wealth and indorses these organizations among farmers and workers which tend to bring about just distribution of wealth through good wages for workers and good prices for farmers 5 and which protect the employer and tho consumer through equality of price for labor and for product and we favor such legislation as will re- move them from the operation of the sherman antitrust law.
 We indorse the elght-hour work day
 We favor the enactment of q law refining as illegal any combination or conspiracy to blacklist employees
 We favor the creation of a depart ment of labor, including mines ant mining, the head of which shall be { member of the presidents cabinet
 Currency: The independence part, declares that the right to issue none, is inherent in the government and | favors the establishment of a centra governmental bank through which tn, money so issued shall be put into gen eral circulation
 The tariff. We demand a revision of the tariff, not by the friends of th tariff, but by the friends of the people and declare for gradual reduction o tariff duties with just consideration fo the rights of the consuming public anc of established industry.
 The railroads: The railroads mus be kept open to all upon exactly equa terms Every form of rebate and dis elimination and railroad rates Is crime against business and must b stamped out. We demand adequat railroad facilities and bill empow ering shippers In time of need t compel railroads to provide suff1cien cars for freight and passenger traffi and other facilities through summar appeal to the courts We favor tn creation of an interstate commerc court, whose sole function 1t shall b to review speedily, and enforce sum marily, the orders of the inter tat commerce commission. The nterstat commerce commission has the powe to initiate Investigations, into the req condolences of rates and practices an no increase in rates should be put in to effect until opportunity for such in
 vestigation is afforded. The inter state commerce commission shoul