New-York tribune., 1873-12-15
THE FARMERS' MOVEMENT,


CoNGRATULAToRY REs0LUrIONs-AN IMPROVED
vrsAxcI,r. SYSTEM DEAANDRD--THK SALARY
cp,p DrSoUNCED-HOw TO SOLVE TIE TRANS
poprArroy PRoBLEM-THE NEED OF CIvI. SER
VICE REFORM.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUShl
Cur,Go. Dec. 4.-On tho closing day OF tho re-
cent meeting of the Illinois State Grange the ionow-
ing platform was adopted:
Resolped That the state Grange reiterates the pur'
poses and objects of this Order-that " sceAs 'io '
intellectual and moral elevation OF the farmer CLASS
Resolved That in its efforts TO accomplish these pur
poses and Objects whether by diroct precep' ny au
vancng the material interests OF the FARMER oa'' w
influencing legislation or the Governmental policy ny
cooperative effort Of kind or by any other mean' "
makes defense Of It's only the ground oil the
justice and equity. and by this test it must stand ap
proved or condemned by an intelligent people.
Resolved That wo express our great graication WIN
the wonderful growth and prosperity OF the Order Ill
this and other States and while recognizing its Tangible
and material benefits regard its educational influence
in ncucang the rights and duties Of citizenship as It's
most valuable and durable work.
Resored, That the State Grange OF Illinois regards
with entire cordaty the various organizations OF this
stateand elsewhere known Farmers Clubs and similar
associations whose objects and purposes aren harmony
with the objects and purposes OF this organzaon that
invite and offer fraternal cooperation so far the
pecuiarities OF our different organzato will permit.
Resotred. That deploro the rapid destruction OF
American forests and the exhaustion Of the OF
supplies OF lumber for farming and building purposes
and 80 Tar as any laws existing tend to produce this
result they should be modified OF repealed.
Resolved. That while the present laws pertaining to
banking and the currency possess many admirable fea
lures they seem TO fail TO meet al the requirements OF
the country; that these laws should be modified to
favor general distribution Of the money supply, to
fpafu nf apI-fs nlU nd gbaor
the immense concentration of capital for speculative
purposes; that some policy thould be adopted having
the character OF permanency and looking ultimately to
a return to a specie basis.
Resoirtd That tile saary-Grab law 80 called deserv
edy received the condemnation of the House OF Repre-
senatyes OF the last General Assembly, aud we see no
good reason why similar action should not have been
taken by the Senate; that we earnestly request the
members OF the present Congress TO repeal said law
ReSoeed, That the 0pprobrium sought to be brought
upon the farmers movement called, being rospOn
sibo for the financial panic. ia compliment 10 that
class which has done something perhaps to expose the
frauds aud cOrruptons Of railroad and other financial
enterprises.
ReSoved, That in justice as we'll as by constitutional
authority Congress tho power to regulate inter
state commerce, and that 1t should exercise tnat right
in the interests of tho producing classes control
railroads, transportation companies and others who
may unustly combine to the injury OF the public inter-
est and that approve OF the action Congress has
already taken may take with view to such egsla
ton may be called for in tho premises.
Resolrod That the prohibitory restrictions laid upon
foreign vessels which would otherwise engage in the
transportation OF Western products between different
parts Of the United States tax upon Western in
dustry and ought to be modified or abolished.
RcsOlrcd That this body IL profoundly impressed with
the entire nadeguacy OF the present facilities and means
transportation Of the products of the great West TO
the markets Of the world that in seeking relief it looks
to two sources:
First: The opening OF the natural channels OF COM
merce ana the improvement the same, including the
canals, when said canals essential parts OF these
pensc of the General Government and the construction
Df railroads by private capital under LIBERAL charters
but with such limitations as the public good Demands
and by which means IL Is hoped that tue law OF conp
tOn will have full play, and 40 constitute the chief
correction Of the evils from which We now suher.
second the last resort, the construction OF rail
freight traffic By the Government the same 10
he bu,t at the public expense. ana to ne nianaged
strictly aud solely Tor the benefit OF the phoc interests
Res0Ired That the right control chartered monOpo
lies inherent right OF the people, and cannot by
legislative action be aIenaed from .them. The leading
features OF the present railroad law just and
law OF the kind appears necessary Wo favor its
thorough trial. and wond oppose its repeal or esse9tal
modification by the present General Assembly
Pesolred That the Civil Service system OF this Gov
ernment as for a long time administered and as IL
lrstrated by application OF the principle To the
yctors belong the spOs is dangerous to the Integrity
aud even 20 the perpetuity OF our republican in-
stltltons We condemn in this. that it Identifies the
interests OF appoutees TO Office with the interests of the
dominant party and the appointing power rather than
with the Government itself 1t makes the appointment
TO places OF responsibility and trust the reward of party
services these appointments frequently being nero
sinecures II furnishes q lever Of tremendous power TO
Influence public opinion and to determine the results OF
elections 1t school OF political corruption. and
temptation to unfathfulness and dishonesty. and we
call upon statesmen to study It's evils and present
more thorough remedy than has yet been proposed
fnr L. urfrcfh.