Year: 1873




The following is II reprint of the
platform adopted 10y the Peoples Inde-
pendent Party. The principle posi-
ton will be discussed in future is
sue str@. '- a'. e.. . .'i.'"H 4H


This convention, representing what
it believes to be the honest sentiment
of the people of this State, and Ell
cOuraged by the the splendid success
achieved in the recent State election.
wherin the people, almost without or
ganization, met and overthew the
combined power of the Incorporated
monopolist and the corrupt political
and financial rings, do hereby resolve
to organize into Il party all good citi-
zcns who desire to join i'm the work of
reform and political regeneration
throughout the State, the better to
enable them to move forward upon
the enemy, to route such corporations
from their stronghold as rulers and
practically as law makers, and, final
ly, to rescue the government from the
clutches Ofthe cOrruptionists who have
so long held it in subjection; therefore
be it.


ResOlrcd, That the opponents of in
cOrpOrated greed and organized cor
ruption do form themselves into pO-
litical body to be known as THE PEo-
Plies INDEPENDENT PARTY.


ResOtred That one of the most seri-
Gus obstacle in the way of political
and government reform lies in the
doctrine of sO-called ''party fealty,"
that tyrannical rule which dcgrades
the citizen and sinks him in the SER
vile partisan, rendering him the help
less tool Of selfish wire-pullers and call-
Gus manipulators. Inviwe of this long
standing evil, the "Peoples Independ-
ent Party now, in its very inception,
once for all lays down its fundamental
principles that parties are mere instu-
mentalities to be employed only i'm the
furtherance of good government; that
they should be followed no longer than
while they act in the interest Of the
entire people of which fact each indi-
vidual must judge for himself and
that it is the duty of the citizen to
abandon instantly any party which
swerves from the path of right or
passes into control of unscrupulous
leaders, and finally it utterly spurns
and repudiates the doctrine that any
citizen owes allegiance to any pOliti-
cal organization, or that pure and
upright man in public life can or
ought to be under special obligations
to any source short of the people for
office or position.


ResOiped, That one of the great evils
which earnestly demand correction is
the tyranny of party discipline, which
as maintained through the system of
primaries and caucuses by professional
politicians aided by Government pa
tronage and moneyed power, has be-
come despOtic rule OF the few over
the many, and that we hold and affirm
that any citizen has the right to take
part in good faith in the actions and
deliberations of any political organi-
zatiOn, caucus or convention, without
being bound thereby except SO far as
his own judgment and conscience may
approve and that the obligations of
the citizen and patriot are paramount
to those of the partisan before and af-
ter party nominations are made.


KesOtced, That we are determined
to use all lawful efforts to drive out
the corrupt political rings that control
the action OF the national Government,
welding its power and dispensing its
patronage with the sole end of benefit
ing themselves and their hangers-on,
and of perpetuating their vicious rule;
and to that end we hereby and for all
time instruct all representatives of the
people elected under the auspices of
the Peoples Independent Party to urge
and enforce II strict examination into
the affairs and management of the
great railroad corporations of the cOun-
try as well us of their auXiliaries, the
Credit Mobilier and Contract and FL
nance Companies, and their several
dealing with the various departments
Of the Government, executive, legisla-
tive and Judicial, in order that their
past corrupt practices may be exposed,
the rights and property of the people
recovered, the guilty punished and
purity and economy in administration
and legislation be restored throughout
the land.


Resoioed, That the abominable and
infamous practice of securing election
to Office by the corrupt use of money
at the polls and i'm bribing members of
legislative bodies, which has become
SO prevalent in late years, is an evil
which strikes at the very foundation
of free government, and that no man
guilty OF the atrocious crime of obtain
ing or attempting to obtain Office by
such means can ever merit the conf
dence of the people.


Resotred, That affirming and as
serting the absolute and final sover-
eighty of the people, we claim and will
ever assert the rights and authority of
the peoples Representatives to control
and regulate all such corporations as
exercise any franchise or special privi-
lege obtained by legislative enactment,
and especially the incorporated COM
mon carriers of the country, and that
such right of control and regulation is
an undeniable pierogative OF the State
and nation; and further, that we will
use all lawful means to bring said cor
porations within u just and reasonable
cOrtrOl, to reduce their rates of freight,