regarding past differences, desire the perpetuation of our constitutional government, as framed and established by the fathers of the Republic. PEOPLE'S PARTY PLATFORM. The People's party reaffirms its adherence to the basic truths of the Omaha platform of 1892, and of the subsequent platforms of 1896 and 1900. In session in its fourth national convention on July 4, 1904, in the city of Springfield, Ill., it draws inspiration from the day that saw the birth of the nation, as well as its own birth as a party, and also from the soul of him who lived at its present place of meeting. We renew our allegiance to the old-fashioned American spirit that gave this nation existence, and made it distinctive among the peoples of the earth. We again sound the keynote of the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal in a political sense, which is the sense in which that instrument, being a political document, intended that the utterance should be understood. We assert that the departure from this fundamental truth is responsible for the ills from which we suffer as a nation; that the giving of special privileges to the few has enabled them to dominate the many, thereby tending to destroy the political equality which is the cornerstone of democratic government. We call for a return to the truths of the fathers, and we vigorously protest against the spirit of mammonism and of thinly-veiled monarchy, that is invading certain sections of our national life, and of the very administration itself. This is a nation of peace, and we deplore the appeal to the spirit of force and militarism which is shown in ill-advised and vainglorious boasting and, in more harmful ways, in the denial of the rights of man under martial law. A political democracy and an industrial despotism cannot exist side by side; and nowhere is this truth more plainly shown than in the gigantic monopolies which have bred all sorts of kindred trusts, subverted the governments of many of the States, and established their official agents in the national government. We submit that it is better for the government to own the railroads than for the railroads to own the government; and that one or the other alternative seems inevitable. We call the attention of our fellow citizens to the fact that the surrender of both of the old parties to corporate influences leaves the People's party the only party of reform in the nation. Therefore, we submit the following platform of principles to the American people: The issuing of money is a function of government, and should never be delegated to corporations or individuals. The constitution gives to Congress alone power to coin money and regulate its value. We demand, therefore, that all money shall be issued by the Government in such quantity as shall maintain stability in prices, every dollar to be a full legal tender, none of which shall be a debt redeemable in other money. We demand that postal savings banks be established by the Government for the safe deposit of the savings of the people. We believe in the right of labor to organize for the benefit and protection of those who toil; and pledge the efforts of the People's party to preserve this right inviolate. Capital is organized and has no right to deny to labor the privilege which it claims for itself. We feel that intelligent organization of labor is essential; that it raises the standard of workmanship, and promotes the efficiency, intelligence, independence and character of the wage-earner. We believe with Abraham Lincoln that labor is prior to capital, and is not its slave, but its companion; and we plead for that broad spirit of toleration and justice which will promote industrial peace through the observance of the principles of voluntary arbitration. We favor the enactment of legislation looking to the improvement of conditions for wage-earners, the abolition of child labor, the suppression of sweat shops and of convict labor, in competition with free labor, and the exclusion from American shores of foreign pauper labor. We favor the shorter work day, and declare that if eight hours constitutes a day's labor in government service, that eight hours should constitute a day's labor in factories, work shops and mines. As a means of placing all public questions directly under the control of the people, we demand that legal provision be made under which the people may exercise the initiative, referendum and proportional representation, and direct vote for all public offices, with the right of recall. Land, including all the natural sources of wealth, is a heritage of all the people, and should not be monopolized for speculative purposes; and alien ownership of land should be prohibited. We demand a return to the original interpretation of the constitution and a fair and impartial enforcement of laws under it; and denounce government by injunction and imprisonment without the right of trial by jury. To prevent unjust discrimination and monopoly, the Government should own and control the railroads; and those public utilities, which in their nature are monopolies. To perfect the postal service, the Government should own and operate the general telegraph and telephone systems, and provide a parcels post. As to those trusts and monopolies which are not public utilities or natural monopolies, we demand that those special privileges which they now enjoy, and which alone enable them to exist, should be immediately withdrawn. Corporations being the creatures of government should be subjected to such governmental regulations and control as will adequately protect the public. We demand the taxation of monopoly privileges, while they remain in private hands, to the extent of the value of the privileges granted. We demand that Congress shall enact a general law uniformly regulating the power and duties of all incorporated companies doing interstate business. In Democratic platforms.. 12; TARIFF- In Republican platforms... 34-5; 55; 63; 73, 74; 79–80; 93; 104-5; 124-5; 144; 161, 166-7 In Democratic platforms 12; 29; 58; 67-8; 77; 86–7; 101–3; 110–11; 132; 153–4; 174–5 |