The Grange advance., 1873-10-22
ANTI-MONOPOLY PLATFORM.


as far as possible.
ANTI-MONOPOLY PLATFORM.
WHEREAS, The leading issues that have hitherto
divided the people of this country into political par
ties have ceased exist and it is unwse to seek
continue the old party Organizations, that new
and momentous questions have arisen AID,
WHHREAs, The principal questions now demanding
consideration is that involving the privileges and
operating in opposition to the well-beng Of the peo
pie; and,
ers of the State Of Minnesota deem the triumph Of
the people in this contest with mOnSpOlies essential
to the perpetuaton of free institutions and the
promotion Of our private and national prosperity
WHEREAs, In addition to this, and to the honest
and economical administration Of the government,
we recognize no party distinctions nor political is
sues now before the country as worthy of more than
minor consideration be it, therefore, resolved:
First-That the purpose Of all proper government
is the promotion Of the welfare Of the entire people,
and that therefore, the conduct of any citizen
citation, or co-partnership, whether chartered or
otherwise which may operate to the prejudice of this
general welfare is antagonstic the objects OF
government, and vioative OF the fundamental pEin-
ciples upon which all correct law is based.
Second-That receive with satisfaction the de-
cision of the Supreme Court in the case of Blake
against the Winona St. Peter Railroad Company, in
which the court holds in effect that railroads are
simply improved highways, public roads; and that
as such the right to prescribe rate of tolls and
charges is attribute of the sovereignty Of the peo
pie Of which no legislation can divest them; and
that the thanks Of all the people of this State due
skill and ability, and devotion to the cause of the
people, secured this great judicial triumph.
Third-That we will recognize no political party
individual aspirant for Office as worthy Of our
support unless it he will unite with in declar
ing that government cannot ALLEVIATE its sovereignty
either in whole or IN part to any person or associ
COHDOTatlOQ.
is always and must forever remain subject to the
sovereign authority and control of the government
Fourth-That we will not aid in elevating any man
to any important public position whatever who will
either deny object to the exercise by the Legisa
ture of the power to revoke aud annul at any time,
any chartered privilege socalled vested right
any privilege claimed to be involved any charter
I'd any corporation, railroad otherwise, which
perience has shown is or may be exercised by such
corporation or by other similar corporations to the
mand from every candidate for high executive, leg
slative judicial position, to whom accord our
support that he shall pledge himself to recognize the
maintenance Of this right by the government as a
sacred duty essential for 4he Of the lib
critics Of the people, and the stability and prosperity
of the commonwealth.
Fifth-Tnat taxes can only be rghtfully levied for
the purpose of raising to defay the
Of the government in the discharge OF its legitimate
duties, supporting public institutions aud promoting
the public welfare, and that the levying of such i'm
posts enure to the benefit of Glass; of classes in
the community, while being detrimental to other
classes are unjust and oppressive and that tariffs
levied imported articles may be and often are so
arranged as to become thus discrimnative and nju-
rious and that it s therefore, essential that the ut
most care should be taken in framing such tariff laws
in order that these Objectionable features may be
avoided ana that they may operate for the webeing
of the entire community.
sixth-Thst it is contrary to the spirit and purpose
of republican government that its servants should
be compensated for their public services to extent
that will make of6ce-hoding attractive to human
pdty; and that in the late act of Congress- increas
ing official and Congressional salaries notwithstand-
ing the pleas and excuses urged in its pallation
recognize only corrupt and reprehensible avarice
and reckless disregard of the public veal, which
deserve the severest censure; and that we demand
the repeal OF the law at the earliest practicable mo-
ment, and declare every man who supported and ap-
proved it, aided and abetted in procuring its pass
age and approval or received benefit through its
actment, whether in the shape Of back future pay
unworthy of the confidence of his fellow citizens
and unfit for the further occupancy Of any position Of
honor or trust.
seventh-That all participants in the Credit Mobil-
ier and other corrupt transactions exposed by the
vestgaton Of the late Congress and by the late
ury investigation Of this State deserve to have been
punished as criminals and that those who aided in
screening them from more complete exposure and
consequent punishment, should likewise become Oh.
| jects Of public scorn and contumely.
Eighth-That we have seen with alarm the start.
ling revelations in reference to the condition of
| State Treasury; the undoubted defalcation OF one
Treasurer of over $l0O and the reported dealca
ton his successor of nearly $40 loaning
| the public funds to merchants and lumber dealers
the making up of accounts with bogus certificates o
deposit the fact that nearly half q million of the
school fund, the precious heritage Of children
was left unendsrsed requredb by law and complete
ly st the mercy Of these dishonest officials the false
of the State Treasurer before the commit
tee and finally the desperate efforts that were sue.
cessfuy made to hide the ring of guilty parties who
had used the State Treasurer as their tool.
| Ninth-That every public officer is amenable t
the people for his conduct and that public sentiment
should demand and compel the resignation of ali
those who are guilty of misrepresenting their con
sttuents, of mafeasance in Office, of negectine
to execute faithfully the duties entrusted to them
Tenth-That the fees and salaries at present al
lowed to county and other officials within the Stat.
frequently and that these should neve'
greater than is Paid BY private individuals to thei
liar responsibilities and that we demand that tn,
State Legislature shall, at its next session. remedy
this evil and reduce such salaries, fees, &C., to wha
! satiOn; and thus by removing the inducements fol
holding, lessen the desire for seeking Office and obvi
viate to considerable extent one of the most poten
causes Of local and political corruption.
! Eleventh-That the present system Of collecting
taxes merits condemnation and that we insist upol
having the Laws so altered that this duty shall b.
tax payers trouble and expense, and obviating
the most prolific of the creation and fostering
Of corrupt rings at the county seats to speculate
Of the necessities Of the people, and often to misuse
the public funds.
Twelfth-That We claim that the law requiring tn
railroad companies to fence the line of their road
panies should be compelled to pay for all loss o.
damages to stock caused by the absence Of sucl
fences.
| Thirteenth-That We are opposed to the monopol,
of wood and coal in our great cities by the railroad
rings as shameful tax upon the industry Of the peo
pie. s-
Fourteenth we are in favor Of the free wate
| communication with the ocean by means of the i'm
provement of the Mississippi and other great river
Of the State and the improvement Of the great lakes
and that We are in favor Of an examination by tn
National Government Of the region between the St
Croix and Lake SUPERIOR to ascertaiD whether cana
! communication can be made to connect the t1ibu
Of the Mississippi with waters Of Lake Superior
Fifteenth-That We are in favor Of such reasonable
Limitation Of the hours Of labor in the shops and fac
tories of the State will give the lsboring people op
| pOrtunity for moral and mental improvement