The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-05-18
The Republican State PIatform.

The Union Republican party of Indiana
assembled in Convention at IndianapO-
lis, on the I'D day OF February, 1870, make
the following declaration of principles:
CONGRATULATIONS
L. We congratulate the country on the
restoration of law and order in the late
rebelIious States. under the recOnstruc-
ton measures adopted by the General
Government, and upon the Tefnrn ar
peace, and of fraternaI feeling among the
people of all the States under CoDstitu-
civil rights of all citizens, without dis
tinction of race or color.
THE CONSTITUTION.
2. That we reverence the Copr ltion of
the United States, as the So e law of
the land, and wise embod. cent of the
principles of free Government, and fol.
lowing its teachings we will adopt from
time TO time, such amendments as are
necessary more completely to establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility, and
secure the blessin gs of liberty 70 ourselves
and our posterity.
FIFTEENTH AMENDMEHT.
3. That we rejoice at the ratification of
the Fifteenth Amendment, which forever
secures an equality of political rights to
ali men, and we extend to the cOlored
man a helping hand to enable him in
the race of life 10 improve and elevate his
condition.
NATIONAL DEBT.
4. That the National Debt, created in
the defense and preservation If the u nion,
x
fully borne until honorably and honestly
extinguished in accordance with the letter
and spirit of the several laws authorizing
the debt, and that all attempts at repudia-
ton of principal or interest sheuId meet
the scOFn and denunciation of any honest
and patriotic people.
ECONOMY DEMANDED
5. That We demand. in every department
lowest, the strIctest economy In ali ex-
penditures, consistent with the require
ments of the public service; the reduction
and abolishment of all extTavagant fees
and salaries; the closing of all uselt ss
offices. and the dismissal of their incum-
bents, and all efforts to these ends, in
Congress or elsewhere, have our upouaIi-
hed approval.
REDUCING TAXES.
6. That reduction of taxation is de.
manded, both of tariff and internal taxes
ent with the credit and necessities of the
Government, and that we are in favor of a
tariff for revenue, believing that proper
adjustment of duties must necessarily af-
ford all the incidental protection to which
any interest Is entitled.
CURRENCY.
z. That we are in favor of a currency
founded on the national credit as abund-
ant as the trade and commerce of the
country demand, and that we disapprove
of all laws in reference thereta which es-
tablishes monopoly CT inequgIty therein.
LANDS AND sUBsInIEs.
8. That we are opposed to the donation
of the public lands or the grant of sub
sides in money to railroads and other
reservation of the public domain for the
use of actual settlers and educational pur-
poses.
soLDIERs AND SAILORS.
9. That we re-af1irm that "of all who
were faithful in the trials of the late war,
there are none entitled 20 more especial
who endured the hardShips of campaign
and cruise, and imperfied their lives in
ties and pensions provided by law for
those brave defenders OF the nation are
obligations never to be forgotten, and
should be paid without cost TO the receipt.
ent. The widows and orphans of the gal
liant dead are the wards of the nation-h
sacred legacy bequeathed to the nations
ENDORSEMENT OF CONGRESS.
10. That we approve the general course
of our Senator and Republican RepYesen-
tatives In Congress, and express our full
and entire confidence that they will act
with wisdom and integrity in all that con-
Germs the welfare of the people: and that
we tender thanks to Senator Morton for
his exertions In so shaping the legislation
of Congress on the reconstruetion of the
late rebel States, ss to secure the passage
of the Fifteenth Amendment.
DMINIsTRATIoN ENDORSED.
IL That we endorse the administration
of General Grant as President 1f the Uni
ted States; accept the increased collections
of revenue, the reduction of expenditures,
lie DEBT as fulfiiIn6nt OF his his promises II mi of
economy, and rejoice that the victorious
General OF the Ueion armies should, as
civil officer, receive the last of the rebel
States In It's return 10 the national family.
MORAL LEGISLATION.
II. In-.smueh as all Republican Govern
ments depend for their stability and per-
petuity, on the intelligence and virtue of
the people. It is the right and duty of the
State and National authorities to EST abIi n,
foster and secure the highest moral an In
tellectual development of the people.
COUNTY REFORM.
I3. That taxation for county and other
local purpo es has become so great as to be
oppressive to the people; that our system
of county administration needs reform.
and We demBnd OF our representatives In
the Legislature such changes in the stat
utes of the state as Will protect the people
from extraVagant tax Ievies by local au-
thorities; and as an aid to this needed re-
form, we favor reduction Of the fees of
county officers TO a standard which will
tiOn for the services rendered, and that no
officer should be favored with salary, fees
or perquisites beyond such fair and reason
able compensation.
CANAL BONDS.
II. That the canal stocks, issued under
the legislation of 1916 and 1917, commonly
called the g Butler Bill, were, by the terms
of the contract. charged exclusively upon
and lands; and the faith Of the State never
having been directly or indirectly pledged
the Day Q6nL TeQGnI tn6E6OI,
said canal stocks therefore constitute no
part of the outstanding debts or liabilities
ofthe State. That the Constitution of this
State ought to be amended at the earliest
practicable period, so as to prohibit the
taking effect of any law or acts of the Gem
eraI Assembly proposing to recognize or
create any liability of the State for the
said canal stocks, or any part thereof, un-
til such proposition shall have been sub
mitted to a direct vote of the people of the
State and approved by them.
STATE ADMINISTRATION ENDORSED.
Is. That we heartily endorse the admin
istrattcn of our State affairs by Governor
Baker and his associate officers, and espe-
pfa hA