Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-08-22
JOSEPH M. DIXON
United States Senator From Montana,
National Chairman of the
Progressive Party.
Platform Thoroughly Progressive.

6lCSSlNS pldlIOILl.
Preamble-"The conscience of the
people, in a time of grave national
problems, has called into being a new
party, born of the nations awakened
sense of justice.
We, of the Progressive party dedi-
cate ourselves to the fulfillment of
the duty laid upon us by our fathers
to maintain that government of the
people, by the people, and for the
people whose foundations they laid.
1--WE hold with Thomas jefferson
and Abraham Lincoln, that the people
are the masters of their constitution
to fill its purposes, and to safeguard
it from those who would convert it
into an instrument of injustice.
This country belongs to the people
who inhabit it. 1t is time to set the
public welfare in the first place"
The platform further declares:
That the old parties have become
the tools of corrupt interest, which
use them impartially to serve their
selfish purposes" and that the new
party offers itself as the instrument
of the people to sweep away old
abuses to build a new and a nobler
commonwealth.
Declares under heading, THE Rule
of the People" for direct primaries
for the nomination of state and ma
tional officers and candidates for the
presidency; for the popular election
of United States senators and urges
on the states the use of the short bal
lot; with responsibility to the people
secured by the initiative, referendum
and recall"
Pledges party to provide "a more
easy and expeditions method of amend
ing the federal constitution"
Advocates national jurisdiction OF
problems which have expanded beyond
reach of the individuals.
Pledges party to secure equal suf-
frage.
Pledges party to enactment of leg
islation, limiting campaign contribu-
tions and expenditures and providing
for publicity thereof
Opposes participation by federal ap-
pointees in state or national conven-
tions.
Demands "such restrictions of the
power of courts as shall leave to the
people the ultimate authority to de-
termine fundamental questions OF so.
cial welfare and public policy
Pledges judicial reform, believing
that the issuance of injunctions in
labor disputes should be prohibited
when such injunctions would not ap.
ply where no labor disputes existed"
Declares against child labor and FOR
a minimum wage for women, for pre-
vention of industrial accidents, safe
guards for health of employees, pub
licity as to wages, eight-hour work
day, and establishment of federal
department of labor.
Urges re-establishment of country
life commission and promotion of the
welfare of farmers.
Pledges party to a full and imme-
date inquiry and to immediate action
to deal with the high cost of living.
Favors single national health serv-
ice.
Demands national regulation OF
interstate corporations and urges the
establishment of fedral commission
to supervise Interstate Industrial cor
porations, and favors strengthening
Sherman law to insure competition IN
business and prevent unfair trade
practices.
Pledges party to enactment of
patent law that will prevent monopo-
lies.
Favors legislation giving inter-
state commerce commission power to
value physical property of railroads
and demands abolition of the COM
merce court.
Condemns method of issuing cur
ItHCy uOLCo luIOu6u private dB6uCles
and urges control thereof by the gov
eminent alone, and opposes the Aid
rich currency bill
Favors government cooperation with
manufacturers and producers in ex-
tending foreign commerce.
Declares for prompt development
of national resources, condemning ex-
ploitation, waste and monopolization
Urges reasonable compensation to
the public for water power rights
hereafter granted.
Declares for good roads, national
highways and extension OF rural free
delivery; in immediate development
of natural resources of Alaska and
promises to that territory local self
government as given other territories
Pledges party to immediate prepa-
ration Of plan to develop rivers of the
country. especially the Mississippi
tributaries, without delay.
Demands that the Panama canal