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About The Alliance-independent. (Lincoln, Nebraska) 1892-1894 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 11, 1892)
6 THE ALLIANCE-INDEPENDENT. 'THE "PLATFORM. (Assembled upon the one hundred I i m . t v and sixteenth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the People's Party o' 'America, in their first national conven tion, invoking upon their action the blessing of Almighty God, puts forth in the name and on behalf of the people of this country, the following preamble and 'declaration of principles: fk The conditions which surround us best Justifyiour co-operation. We meet in the midst of a nation brought to t he verge of moral, political and material ruin. Cor ruption dominates tbo ballot box, the leg islatures, the congress, and touches even the ermine of the bench. The people are demoralized. Most of the states have been compelled to isolate the voters at the polling places to prevent universal in timidation or bribery. The news paners are largely subsidized or muzzled, public opinion silenced, business pros trated, our homes covered with mort gages, labor impoverished, and the land concentrating in the hands of the capital ists. The urban workmen are denied the right of organization for self protection; imported pauperized labor beats down their wages; a hireling standing army, un recognized bj our laws, is established to shoot them down, and they are rapidly degenerating into European conditions. The fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up collosal fortunes for a few, unprecedented in the history of mankind, and the possessors of these, in turn, despise the republic and endanger liberty. From the same prolific womb of governmental injustice we breed the two great classes tramps and millionaires. The national power to create money is oppropriated to enrich bondholders. A vast public debt payable in legal tender currency has "been funded into gold-bearing bonds, thereby adding millions to the burdens of the people. , Silver, which has been accepted as coin since the dawn of history, has been demonetized to add to the purchasing power of gold by decreasing the value of all lorms of property, as well as human labor, and the supply of currency is purposely abridged to fatten usurers, bankrupt enterprise and enslave industry. A vast conspiracy against mankind has been or ganized on two continents and is rapidly taking possession of the world. If not met ana overthrown at onco it forebodes terrible social convulsions, the destruc tion of civilization, or the establishment of an absolute despotism. We have witnessed for more than a quarter of a century the struggles of tho two great political parties for power and lunder, while grievous wrougs have been nflictcd upon a suffering people. We charge that the controlling influences dominating both these parties have permitted the exist ing dreadful conditions to develop without serious efforts to prevent or restrain them. Neither do they now promise us any substantial reform. Thev h gether to ignore in the coming campaign every issue but one. They propose to drown the outcries of a plundered people with the uproar of a sham battle over the tariff,' so that capitalists, corporations, national banks, rings, trusts, watered etock, the demonetization of silver, and the oppressions of the usurers may all be lost sight Of. They propose to sacrifice our homes, lives and children on tho altar of mammon; to destroy tho multitude in order to secure corruption funds from the millionaires. Assembled on the anniversary of the birthday of the nation, and filled with the spirit of the grand generation who es tablished our independence, we seek our independence; wo seek to restore the gov ernment of the republic to the hands of "the plain people' with whoso class it originated. iWe assert our purposes to be identical with the purposes of tho national Con stitution 4 'To form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tran quillity,' provide for the common defense, Erpmoto the general welfare and secure the lessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity." We declare that this repub lic can only endure as a free government while built upon the love ot the whole people for. each other and for the nation; that icannot be pinned together by bay onets; that the civil war is over, and that every passion and resentment which grew out of it mus. die with it, and that we must be in fact, as we are . in name, one united brotherhood of freemen, tin Our country finds itself confronted by conditions for which there is no precedent in the history of the world our annual agricultural productions amount to bil lions of dollars in value, which must within a few weeks or months be ex changed for billions of dollars of com modities consumed in their production: the existing currency supply is wholly in adequate to make this exchange; the re sults are falling prices, the formation o combines and rings and the impoverish ment of the producing class. Wa pledge ourselves that if given power we will labor to correct these evils by wise and reasonable leg islation in accordance with the terms of our platform. We believe that the pow ers of government in other words, of tho people should be expanded (as in the case of the postal service) as rnnidlv and n far as the eoad sensa nf an inaiiimm. peopie ana tne teacningg or experience shall justify, to the end that oppression, injustice and poverty shall eventually cease in the land. While our sympathies as a party of re form are naturally upon the side of every proposition which wiil tend to make men intelligent, virtuous and temperate, we nevertheless regard these questions, im portant as they are, as secondary to tho great issues now pressing forsolution, and upon which not only our individual pros perity, but the very existence of free in stitutions depend: and we ask all men to first help us to determine whether wo are to have a republic to administer, before we differ as to the conditions upon which it is to be administered, believing thai, the forces of reform this day organized will-never cease to move forward until every wrong is remedied, equal rights and equal pri vileges are securely establish ed for all the men and women of tho country. . We declare, therefore First That the union of the labor forces of the United States, thia day consum mated, shall be permanent and. perpetual. May its spiri enter into all hearts for the salvation of the Republic and tht uplifting of mankind. Second Wealth belongs to him who creat it, and every dollar taken from industry without an equivalent is robbery. "If any will not work, neither shall" he eat." The interests of rural and civio labor are the same; their enemies are identical. ThirdWe believe that the time has come when the railroad corporations will either own the people or the people must own the railroads, and should the government enter upon the work , of owning and managing any or all railroads, wo should favor an amendment to the Constitution by which an persons engaged in tne government Bervice shall be placed under a civil ser vice regulation of the most rigid charac ter, so as to prevent the increase of the power of the national administration by the use of such additional government employes. lourth We demand that national cur rency, safe, sound and flexible, issued by the general government only, a full legal tender for all debts, public and private, and that without the use of banking cor porations, a just, equitable and efficient means of distribution direct to the feople, at a tax not exceed ng 2 per cent, per annum, be provided, as set tortn in sub-treasury plan of 1'armer's Alliance or somo better system: also by payments in mscnarge of its obligations for public improvements. Fifth We demand free and unlimited coinage of silver pnd gold at t he present legal ratio of 10 to 1. Sixth We demand that the amount of tho circulating medium bs speedily in creased to not less than $50 per capita. Seventh We demand a graduated in come tax. Eighth We believe that the money of the country should be kept as muoh as possible in the hands of . the. peoplot and hence we demand that all state and na tional revenues shall be limited to the necessary expenses of the government economically and honestly administered. Ninth We demand that postal savings banks be established by the government for the safe deposit of the earning? of the people and to facilitate exchange, Tenth Transportation being a means of exchange and a public necessity the government should own and operato the railroads in the interest of the people. Eleventh The telegraph and the tele phone like the postoftice system, being a necessity for the transmission of news, should bo owned and operated by the gov ernment in the interest of the people. Twelfth The land, including all the natural sources of wealth, is the heritage of all the people and should not be mon opolized for speculative purposes, and alien ownership of land should be pro hibited. All land now held by railroads and other corporations in excess of their actual needs, and all lands now owned by aliens should be reclaimed by the govern ment and held for actual settlers only. The foil owing resolutions were also adopted: Whereas other questions have been pre sented for our consideration, we hereby submit the following, not ps a part of the platformof the People's Party, but as resolutions expressive of the sentiment of this convention. First Resolved, That we demand a free ballot and a fair count in all elections and pledge ourselves to secure it to every legal voter without federal intervention through the adoption by the states of the unperver ted Australian or secret ballot system. Second Resolved, That the revenue derived from a graduated income tax should be applied to the reduction of the burden of taxation now resting upon the domestic industries of this country. Third Resolved, That we pledge out support to fair and liberal pensions to ex Union soldiers and sailors. Fourth Resolved, That we condemn the fallacy of protecting American labor under the present system, which opens classes or tne world, ana crowds out our wage earners; and we denpunce the pres ent ineffective laws against contract la bor, and demand the further restriction of undesirable immigration. Fifth Resolved, That, we cordially sympathize with the efforts of organized workinemen to shorten the hours of labor, and demand a rigid enforcement of the existing eight-hour law on government work, and ask t hat a penalty clause be added to the said law. Sixth Resolved. Tfcat we regard the maintenance of a large standing army of mercenaries, known as the Pinkerton system, as a menace to cur liberties, and we demand its abolition; and we con demn the recent invasion of the territory of Wyoming by the hired assassins of plutocracy, assisted by federal officials. Seventh Resolved. That we commend to the favorable consideration of the peo ple and th i reform press the legislative system known as the initiative and re ferendum. Eighth Resolved. That we favor a constitutional provision limiting the office, of president and vice president to one term, and providing for the election of senators of the United States by a di rect vote of the people. Ninth Resolved. That we oppose any subsidy or national aid to any private cor poration for any purpose. Resolved, ' That this convention sympa thizes with the Knights of Labor in their righteous contest with the tyrannical com' bine of clothing manufacturers of Roches ter and declares it to be the duty of all who hate tyranny and oppression to refuse to purchase the goods made by said man ufacturers or to patronize any merchants who sell such goods. "The People's Party at the outset to secure permanent control of the party organization unaffected by the interests of those in public service does hereby In national convention assembled at Omaha, on this 4th day of July, 1892, establish this ordinance as fundamental law of party organization, vi;:No person holding ftriy of fice or positon of profit.trust or emolument under the federal or any state or munici pal government, including senators, con gressmen and members of the legislature, state and local, shall be eligible to sit or vote in any convention of this party, and a copy of this ordinance shall be annexed to every call for any future convention of the party. FRICK'S RECORD. The Enevitable Results of His Quarrels With Employes. A prominent leader of the Home&tead millmcn thus recounts Manager Frick's record in labor troubles: "Three times in the last seven years lias the militia been called into the field for service. Each time their duty was to aid Frick in reducing the wages of his employes. "In December 18S5, the troops were called out because of a strike in the coke regions. They were not called upon to fire, but before the troubles there were ended eight men were killed and twenty-five wounded. H. C. Frick won his fight and wages went down. In April, 1891, occurred the coke troubles in Fayette county. Twelve persons were killed and twenty wounded. Womon and children were among the victims. H. C. Frick was successful, with the aid of tho troops, and miners' wages, then very close to the starvation point, were still further reduced. Now the militia is here in Homestead, called out for the third time by II. C. Frick. They have not shot any of our people. The armed Pinkertons, who preceded them, at tended to the necessary slaughter. "The whole business career of An drew Carnegie and IT. C. Frick has been attended with strikes and slaughter. The first strike in Homestead was in 1882. Sixty or seventy armed police men of the Pinkerton force were brought here, and many people were shot down and badly wounded though fortunately none fatally. Rioting con tinued for six months. Duqucsne mill was the scene of similar occurrences iD 1890. "Braddock for the past fifteen years has had to go through the same ex periences as every other mill town under control of the Carnegie interest. In January, 1891, four Slavs were killed and many wounded. Three Slavs were convicted of murder in the first degree. "In 1SS8 there was a strike which lasted four months. A force of 18C Pinkerton men was brought in to aid ic reducing wages, and they shot twe men dead, besides wounding man? others. ' . l,In 1885 Braddock saw a strike in tion ana in- in.6i oi .kaDor wen beaten. Pinkerton's special coal and iron police took possession of the town and the strikers were starved and frozen into submission. It was during the winter months. Every year fron 1874 to 1885, wages were reduced a Braddock. There was not one increase "Shortly after the inauguration o President Grover Cleveland the men de manded and obtained a 10 per cent raisi of wages. The next year saw it cyr down, however, and it down evei since. has been goirV The Wcskcs gets in some tho money, monopolists Our now Eg, o titled Must Go to tho Wall," tremendous blows against land and transportation and shows Low tho ballot box rmt give protection to the weak. This is a four plate song hich no independent dub, alliance or labor organization can do without It educates and arcuiis all. See our ad. elsewhere. Pure Bre) Poultry. White Plym outh Rock. A'hite Games Partridge Cochins. To'i ouse Geese, White Hol land Turkns, White Guineas, Pekin Ducks. Eggs in season. Prices low. W. A. Bates, Jr., Fremont, Neb. 36 tl The Alliance-Independent till after election for 25 cents. S. C. BROWN LEGHORNS CHOICEST PEN OF Thoroughbreds In the western states. Eggs per set tingol 15, If 1.50 Exorcss chg's pre paid when two I lings are orde 12 ctrcss4to6d a light cage with he i $3 50 W.JHICKOX, AhmNob Mention taissji paper. 4Uf k r ,vs o'd tnl f H J. M. ROBINSON KENESAW, ADAMS CO., NEB. Breeder and ship per of recorded Po land China hoB. Choice breedi ng Btock f ?r sale. write for wants. Mention Alliano. FURNAS Co HERD mmm. m m m VWrfm oeaver uity, Neb. Thoroughbred exclusively, All ages, Eithtr sex. 8ows bred. Stock guaranteed as represented. Pi ices right. Mention this paper. H. S. Williamson, Prop'r. 48 L. H. SUTER, Neligh, Neb. Breeder ot fancy Poland China pwlne And P. K. fowls. Majority of pigs 6ireo ty Free Trades (test. Remainder Lytles Dandy. Kreo Trades Rest by Paddys Chip and if B Rest is sirpd hv fT m j j i . . i . . . r it-? i muB, me great, enow nog mat was so a for ? 800.00, b ng the highest priced hoe in cxibtecce. Had a full sister to F e Trade in ray herd for 3 years and have ma-ny fl-e stviB from hr. L. H. Suter. ROOFING GUM-ELASTIC ROOFING FELT costs only S2.00 per 100 square feet. Mafces a good roof for years and any eno can put it cn. GUM-ELASTIC PAINT costs only 60 cents per gal. inbbl. iols or $4 50 for 5 gal. tubs. Color dark red. Will stop leaks in tin or iron roofs that will last for years. Try it. Sead stamp lor eain pies and full partiucUrs. Gum Elastic Roofing Co., 39 & 41 West Broadway, New Terk. Loral Agent 'Wanted. J. 1. PARR & PAINTERS, 2045 M Street, Lincoln, Neb. DOEIiLE Bretch-Loarter S7.99. RIFLES 18.00 KM 1 HFl mm hMMt AU kindf than elsewhere. fore job bar. Mod iUmpforilloetrtWd Ceulogae to Th PawellACleMtC. , tM M.I. o..A. tt-ta w
