Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1875 — National Platform of the Independent Labor Reformers. [ARTICLE]

National Platform of the Independent Labor Reformers.

The platform adopted by the National Convention recently in session at Cleveland, Ohio, is as-follows: Oar Government is founded solely upon the consent of the people, and its powers are subject to their control. The evils we now live under have resulted from the acts of unfaithful representatives, who have set the interest* of party above those of the people. These evils are chiefly displayed in our monetary system and the monopolies which it has engendered; this system being monarchical in its principles and subversive of republican government; and as experience demonstrates that we can have no hope ,of reform from existing political parties, it becomes our imperative duty to organize a new party, to the end that we may resist the encroachments of the money power upon tiie rights of the people, stay the tide of cornwtion and extravagance which overflows the land, and place the control of the resources and finance of the country in the hands of the people. We, therefore, establish the Independent party, and declare its principles to be as follows: 1. It is the dmy oi me Government to establish a monetary system based on the faith and resources of the nation, in harmony With the genins of this Government and adapted to the industrial and commercial needs of the country. To this end the notes of all National and State banks should be withdrawn from circulation and paper money issued by the Government directly to the people, in payment of the Government obligations. without the intervention of any system of banking corporations, which money shall be legal tender in payment of all debts, public and private, duties on imports included, except that portion of interest and principal of the present public debt that is by express terms of the law creating it made pavable in metallic money: this money to be interchangeable at the option 6T the holders with registered Government bonds bearing a rate of interest not exceeding 8.65 per cent, per hnnnm. 2. This system of finance will, by stimulating our Industries and commerce, soon make the United. States the depository of the precious metals of the world.

3. The adoption of this system, by furnishing sufficient money at low interest, will solve the question of cheap transportation, because it will enable railroads and the carrying trade to relieve themselves of their loads of debt and lower their rates, and enable the people to construct additional line* wherever internal commerce may reqtur*. 4. It is the doty of the Government in all its legislation to keep in view the fall development o. the agricultural and mineral resources of the country, and its manufacturing interests. 5. The great Interests of the productive industry claim their just recognition at the band of the Government of the people, and through the monetary system here proposed all these interestscan be fully secured. 6. As the public domain is the rightful heritage of the people, it should not be distributed to speculators or corporations, bnt reserved tor actual settlers. 7. It is the duty of the Government to equalize the bounties of soldiers and to bring to speedy settlement all other just claims arising from the late war.

. 8. All the rights, privileges, and immunities recognised by the Government should be based on the fact of citizenship, equal rights before the law being secured by the Constitution. 9. We insist upon and demand severe retrenchment and economy in all branches of the public affairs 10. Rivers and harbors, being under the jurisdiction of the Government, should be by it improved when necessary to the commerce of the people. 11. Through the monetary system herein proposed there will be established between the citizens of this country a firm and lasting bond of union by giving common interest in the common Government, and bringing peace and prosperity to each and all its inhabitants. 12. A* all special privileges, immunities and powers conferred on corporations of any kind or nature are granted at the expense of the people these privileges and powers mast be held subordinate to thejighta of the people and subject to the sußversfon and control of the power granting -—Col. Jose Navarro, the only surviving signer of the declaration Of Texan independence, lives at' San Antonio.