The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-29
Assert That They Are Going
Back to First Principles.
DECLARATION OF WAR
Is Made Against Bosses and
Corrupt Elections.
1t Comes Out Strong for Gov.
eminent Ownership.

party III NATIONAL convention ADOPTED
the following declaration of -princi-
pies:
We Independent American citizens
representing the independence party in
A states and two territories, have met
in national convention to nominate, alb
solutely independent of all other politi-
| cal parties. candidates for president
| and vice president of the United States.
Our action is based upon a determine
ton to wrest the conduct of public af-
fairs from the hands of selfish inter-
ests, political tricksters and corrupt
bosses. and make the government as
the founders intended an agency for
the common good.
At q period of unexampled national
prosperity and promise, a staggering
blow was dealt to legitimate business
by the unmolested practice of stock
watering and dishonest financiering
Multitudes Of defenseless investors,
thousands of honest business men and
an army of idle workingmen are paying
the penalty. Year by year, fostered by
wasteful and reckless governmental ex-
| travagance, by the manipulation of
trusts and by a privilege creating tariff,
the cost of living mounts higher and
higher. Day by day the control of the
government drifts further away from
the people and more firmly into the
grip of machine politicians and party
bosses. The Republican and Demo-
cratic parties are not only responsible
for these conditions but are committed
to their indefinite continuance. Prodi-
gal of promises. they are so barren of
performance that to a new party of
Independent voters the country must
look for the establishment of a new
policy and return to genuine popu-
lar government.
Our object is not to introduce violent
innovations or startling new theories.
We, of the Independence party look
back as Lincoln did, to the declaration
of independence as the fountain head of
all political inspiration. 1t is not our
purpose to attempt to revolutionize the
American system of government but to
restore the action of the government
to the principles of Washington and
Jefferson and Lincoln. 1t is not our
purpose either, to effect a radical
change in the American system of gov
eminent but to conserve for the citi-
zens of the United States their privi
leges and liberties won for them by
the founders of this. government and
to perpetuate the principles and poll
cies upon which the nations greatness
has been built. The Independence
party is therefore a conservative
force in American politics devoted to
the preservation of American liberty
and independence, to honesty in cleo
tons, to opportunity in business and
equality before the law. Those who
believe in the independence party and
work with it are convinced that gen
true republican form of government
should continue; that the power of
government should rest with the ma
jority of the peopc and that the gov
eminent should be conducted for the
benefit of the whole citizenship, rather
than for the special advantage OF any
particular class.
Direct Nominations.
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 d.
rect nominations, the initiative and
referendum and the right of recall.
It is idle to cry out against the evil
of bossism while we perpetuate sys-
tenn under which the boss is inevita-
BILE. ----s. .s.-
The Referendum.
We believe in the principle of the
initiative and referendum and we par
ticularly demand that no franchise
grant go into operation until the terms
and conditions have been approved by
popular vote in the locality interested.
We demand for the people the right
to recall public officials from public
service.
Corrupt Practices at Election.
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 cor
ruption fund. We demand severe and
effective legislation against all forms
of corrupt practices at elections and
advocate prohibiting the use of any
money at elections except for meet
ings, literature and the necessary trav-
cling expenses of candidates. Bidding
for votes, the Republican and Demo-
crat candidates are making an outcry
about publicity of contributions al
though both the Republican and
Democrat parties have for years con-
sfstently blocked every effort to pass
corrupt practice act. Publicity of
contributions Is desirable and should
be required, but the main matter of |
Importance Is the use to which contri- |
buttons are put. We believe the dis |
honest use of money In the past.
by corporations. has been chiefly re-
sponsible for the corruption which has |
undermined our system of popular |
government.
Economy.
We demand honest conduct of pub
lie office and businesslike and econom- |
ical administration of public affairs |
and we condemn the gross extrava-
gance of the federal administration |
and its appalling annual increase in |
appropriations. Unnecessary appro- |
priation means unnecessary taxes and |
unnecessary taxes, whether direct or |
indirect, are paid by the people and |
add to the ever increasing cost Of |
living
Observation-Disclosures.
We condemn the evil of overcapi-
talization. Modern Industrial condi- |
the delegates of the state, the denun-
citation of the sneaker and the causa