The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-10-07

which the whole land groans have attain
ed such vast proportions? The truth is,
that both organizations have passed their
DAYS of usefulness, and, whatever good they
may have done in the past, we know they |
have recently failed IN signal manner to
protect the people against the growth OF the |
evils complained Of, and until the masses
are startled, 1t was their bounden duty to
place themselves an impenetrable barrier
between the people and oppression (; but,
instead Of discharging that duty faithfully,
the corrupt men of each have struck hands
with the monopolists, and. have neutrallzed
| in one way and another the honest efforts
of all the good men ofeach party to secure
reform
The single statementof Senator Morton. OF
Indiana, made in his great speech, recently
delivered at the opening OF the political
campaign in Ohio, fully afhrms this posi-
ton. The Senator eagerly disclaimed, In
regard 10 the "back-pay salary grab. any
wish to be understood as approving the
principles involved" WANT of principles
the honorable Senator should have said. }
The measure, he said, was in no sense a
party one. $50 far as that is concerned,
, he continued, 1T may not be improper to
observe that more Democrats voted for 1t
in the two Houses, in proportion to their
. numbers, than Republicans, but It was IN
no sense party measure.
IT From this statement, ii is fairto presume
= that the Senator believes, when the officers
y of the political parties unite for purposes
y detrimental to the public interest, and sol
,e civ to promote their personal gain, that re-
d spunsibility is felt like a cloak at the door
ID of the treasury, only to be resumed again
a. when the blunderers emerge with their
Is ill-yotton booty, 1t is immaterial 10 the
~ people whether or not it was party meas,
to ure-the result is the same to them ana
,s the only benefit they are likely to receive
;" from that appropriation OF their money Is
he the complete evidence it furnishes that
ar designing and corrupt men control bothol
MT the existing political parties.
he Tsit nothirh time then, that these organlZa.
AZ AZ tious which have so utterly failed.as stated
sts should be abandoned, and that the people
Is = should associate themselves to carry out re,
be troactive and corrective measures, needed
now and in the near future for then
nd relief? -.
Fully understanding these conditions anC
10 having for several wears realized the hope
lessness of obtainins relief through the ole
Of parties it required no effort on my part Il
''S act promptly with genuine movement o
by the people for the purpose OF reform
-, through new organization.
nj IL would seem to be difhcult-nay ,impOs
sa- ible-that results more disastrous to tn
ny public welfare should be produced almos
sut any change promises to be for the better
OF The evils from which We suffer, though
ca existing in various forms, are closely akil
en-. TO each other, and may be said, perhaps
no TO spring substantially from the same root
nck The vast revenues OF the General GOveru
as mept. raised by burdensOme and oppressiy
law taxation, exaggerated by wastetul expend
and ture. must be reduced.
ON The legislation which seeks 10 advanc
tenn the interests of one class by imposing undu
act burdens upon another, must be chang.
arv The currency Of the country should b
: Of reformed. The great corporations that col
te =, a troll and monOpoliLe the avenues OF trad
re- must be compelled 10 act in harmony wit
the public interest, Corrupt officials mu
m. be sought out and punished, and new splr
men of upright and economical adminlstratlC
'p' firmly established for the people.
rev To secure complete rehet-and we cann
afford to adopt half measures-the FIR
work to be done is to ascertain the actu
and equitable cost of each railroad, haviI
due regard for the rights of Il
d P. people and railroads, but withO
"A regard IN the ability of the railroa,
.ieal to make earnings enabling the payment
dividends on fictitious stock, or interest
beir fraudulent bonded debt Until this ju
! he basis is obtained, satisfactory rates cam
b, accurately established.
IS Of Continued on third page