The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-10-13
PLATFORM

OF the Farmers Autobiography Party,
unanimously adopted in County Conven-
ton. in the Court House, in Rock Island,
September 6, 1873.
WEUEAs, In accordance with the spirit of our
form OF Constitutional popular government, thS
political power Inherent in the people Is lhtehueu
10 constitute a bulwark against entertainment oy
an one class of its citizens upon the rights OF any
or all Others and In the enactment Oh laws LOT tne
government OF the whole this power can only Dc
icgtimately used for the framing OF sueh lnst an9
equal laws as will bear alike upon All ClAsses anu
WuSEEAs, This political power,of such inestima-
bic value to the people has been perverted from j.
subseryc the selfish ends OF designing men by tht
enactment OF unjust and unequal laws tending !,
the exclusive benefit Of class Of citizens TO IN,
dctrmeut and at the expense OF all Others through
many forms OF legalized extortion; therefore,
Rssoirsd, That we hail with satisfaction tn
arousinr OF the farmer and wurkiugmen To a clea
and proper comprehension Of their just rights.
Rss0lrsd That under our form Of government
the sovereign power must forever remain win "a
people hence individuals and corporations ca
only be- possessed Of delegated powers for specit
purposes namely: The promotion OF the interes
Of the whole people and whenever TINS po ,S'
the general good OF all, then II can aud oughtto
recalled at the will Of the sovereign people.
Rssolrsd. That take our stand on the prime
piles of equal rights aud exact Justice Tor ALL Al
exclusive privileges for none.
Rssoirsd ThAtwe opposed to all forms OF m
nopoly, as an outrage and offence against the mas
Is of the people.
Rssoirsd That we are opposed 70 every form
thieviug, by which the farmers and Aboriug ciass
are robbed of the legitimate fruits Of their labor
RssolUed, That are in favor OF controlling
law the railroad corporations OF our state. .
Resoipsd. That opposed TO all turth
grants Of land to railroad or other corporations, al
believe that the public domain should De held
cred for actual settlers. and are IA favor OF law
which every honOrably discharged soldier or b
heirs NAV use such discharge In any gOyernme
land Office in full payment for quarter section
unoccupied public land.
RssOtpsl, That are In favor Of such modihc
tiOns OF our banking system, will extend Its be
fits to the whole people, and thus destroy all m
nopoly enjoyed by favored few.
Rss0gued That we demand the repeal Of the ba
salary law and the return 20 the United states tire
ury % all such moneys received hereunder
members of Congress, and also a repeal Of the i
increasing salaries and the fixing Of lower a
more reasonable compensation for our public 0
Gers.
ResOlrsd, That we arc IN favor OF true syst
OF civil service reform, making honesty and capS
" the only test for Official position.
Rss0iusd That the rapid Increase Of our Ordin
expense. and the constantly growing burden'
taxation which are pressing us down, tudicai
want Of care aud economy in the management
our county afairs, and demand investigation,
truuchmrnt aud reform.
RssOicsd. That we invite all persons 10 cooper
with us who are opposed 10 mouopoliez, and In
ynr Of equal justice TO all. In the election Of n
to Office whom we know to BE- honest and ,um
tent
Rssoirsd, That we are in favor Of a tard for 7
only.