Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-24
HEARST MOVES
FOR NEW PARTY
WILL HAVE NATIONAL CONVEN-
TIoN AND NOMINATE CANDI-
DATES-THE PLATFORM.

Chlcaso, FEB. 24.-Steps for the
formation OF a new national politi-
cal party were taken at a conference
OF the Independence League Satur-
day. The action followed short
speech by William Randolph Hearst.
enunciating the principles OF the
league and the adoption OF dec
laration of principles" setting forth
the objects OF the organization and
the means BY which 1t hopes to at
tain them. The provisional national
committee, OF which Mr.. Hearst is
chairman, was authorized by reso.
luton to call a national convention
TO nominate candidates for the pres
idency and the vlce-presidency after
the Republican and Democratic par
ties have held their gatherings in
Chicago and Denver, respectively.
The platform was reported by
Clarence J. Shearn. Of New York.
chairman of committee appointed
In September, 1907, to formulate
the document.
The objects OF the independence
league are to conserve for the citi-
zens OF the United States the rights
and liberties won by them by the
FOUNDERS Of this government" says
the platform. land to perpetuate
the principles and policies upon
which the n(ion's greatness has
been built. The league is devoted to
the preservation OF American lib
erty, to honesty in el/tlons, to o.
portunity in business, to equality be.
fore the law"
The declaration advocated direct
nomination OF all candidates, popu.
lar elections OF United States sena.
tors and judges and legislation pro,
hlDltlng the use of money at cleo
lions except for meetings, lrerature
and the necessary travelling expenses
OF candidates. An income tax is
advocated, as Is public ownership OF
all public utilities when munIcinaI
state and national governments are
4
In position to undertake this The
immediate purchase OF the telegraph
llnes is made an issue separately
Inc referendum is endorsed. over.
capitalization of industries is con.
demned, and the league declares
that the right to issue money is I'm.
herent in the government, and that
turther necessary issues should be
made by the government and loaned
TO the banks upon securities an
proved by the secretary OF the treas
ury."
Union labor organizations are en-
dorsed when they tend to bring
about a lust distribution OF
wealth. and laws for an eight-hour
work day.
To enforce the use of safety an
planes in Industrial undertaking
and the right OF trial by jury in
contempt cases are favored.
AS to the railroads, the league de-
mands federal and state inspection
Tor the promotion of safety, and the
abolition OF rebates, the procuring
or cheaper rates and the securing OF
the right to shippers to appeal to
courts in case the roads fail to fur.
nish and move freight cars. court
to review and enforce the orders OF
the Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion is suggested.
A revision OF the tariff by a grad
ual reduction Of schedule, postal saw
ings banks, federal aid for good
roads, national Incorporation laws
and a strong navy are advocated. A
ship subsidy for the development oil
commerce and the extension Of the
reserve naval force Is endorsed.
The document ends with an ap-
proval of the project to complete a
ship canal from the Gulf OF Mexico
to the Great Lakes and the irriga-
ton program now contemplated by
the government.