The Grange advance., 1873-10-15
ANTI-MONOPOLY PLATFORM.

@'' ANTI-MONOPOLY PLATFORM.
WHEREAS, The leading issues that have hitherto
divided the people of this country into political
ties have ceased exist and is unwise to seek to
continue the old party organizations now that new
and mOmeDtous questions have arisen xhd,
WHEREAS, The principal questions now demanding
consideration is that involving the privileges and
powers of corporations antagonizing with and
operating in opposition to the webeing OF the peo-
pie and,
WHEREAS, We, the farmers, mechanics, and labor
ers of the State of Minnesota deem the triumph of
the people in this contest with monopoes essential
to the perpetuaion of free institutions and the
promotion of our private and national prosperity
and,
WHE2EAs, In addition to this, and to the honest
recognize party distinctions nor political is
sues now before the country worthy Of more than
minor confederation; 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 esso
citation, or co-partnership, whether chartered or
general welfare is antagonistc to object. Of
government and violative Of TO Fundamental prin-
cples upon which all correct Il " is based:
second-That We receive with eatisfacton TIE de-
csion OF the Supreme Court in the case of Blake
against the Winons St. Peter Railroad Company, In
which the court holds in effect that railroAds are
simply improved highways, public roads; ard that
charges an stt1buts Of the sovereignty Of the
pie. Of which no legslation can divest then; and
that the thanks of al the people of this State due
skin and ability, and devotion to tho cause Of the
people, secured this great judicial triumph.
Third-That we will recognize NO political party
support unless it Or he viii unite with W IN declar-
ing that cannot aleinste it, sovereignty
either in whole OF in part, to any person or associ
%
sovereign authority and control Of the goye1nnent
Fourth-That We will not aid in elevestpg any man
to any important public position whatsvef Who will
either deny object to the exercise by the IaEisa-
ture Of the power to revoke aud annul st any time,
any chartered privilege or socaled vetsd right, or
any privilege claimed to bs involved y any charter
to any corporation railroad or otherwise, which ex-
perence hos shown 10 or may be exercised by such
corporation, by other similar corporations, to the
detrment Of the public welfare and that We will de-
islative or judicial position, WHOM accord
support that he Shal pledge himee 70 recognize the
maintenance of this right by tho government q .
sacred duty essential for the Of the lib
Of the commonwealth. -
Fifth-Tnat taxes can only be sghtfully levied for
tie
dutes supporting public in5tit3 aud promoting
the public welfare, and that theevying Of such i'm
posts enure to the benefit Of class, Of classes in
classes ere unjust and oppressive; and that tariffs
levied imported articles may be and often are
arranged q to become thus dpcEminative and inju.
rious and that it IT, therefore, essential that the ut
most should BE- taken in framing such tariff laws,
in order that these objectionable features may be
avoided and that they may operate for the webeins
eixthThat it il contrary to the spirit and purpose
Of republican government that its servants should
be comensated for their public services to extent
that will make holding attractive to human Gu
pdity and that in the lste act of Congress- ncress
ing Official and Congregational salaries notwithstand
ing the pleas and excuses urged in it, peliation we
recognize only corrupt and reprehensible sverice
and . reckless disregard Of the public veal, which
deserve the severest censnre; and that We demand
the repeal Of the law at the earliest practicable
ment, and declare every man who supported and ap-
proved it, or aided and abetted in procuring its pass
age and approval, received benefit through its
actment whether in the shape of back future pay
unworthy Of the confidence of his fellow citizens
snd UNFIT for the further occupancy Of any position of
honor or trust.
seventh-That all participants in the Credit Mobil
er and other corrupt transactions exposed by the in
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 OBJ
jects Of public scorn andeeptumely.
Eighth-That We have sem with alarm the start
ling revelations in reference t9 the condition Of
State Treasury; the undoubted defalcation of one
Treasurer Of $l00oo and the reported defalca-
ton successor Of nearly $4,000; the losning of
tho public funds to merchants and lumber dealers;
the making up of accounts with bogus certificates OF
deposit; the fact that nearly half million Of the
school fund, the precious heritage Of Children
was left unendorsed required by law and complete
y At the mercy of these dishonest officials the false
statements of the State Treasurer before the commit
tee and finally the desperate efforts that were sue
cessfuly made to hide the ring Of guilty parties who
had used the State Treasurer as their tool.
the people for his conduct and that public sentiment
should demand and compel the resignation of all
those who are guilty Of misrepresenting their
stituents or Of n,te:sanee in oce or Of neglectng
. Tenth-That the fees and salaries at present al
lowed to county and other officials within the State
are frequently excessive and that these should never
employees engaged in similar duties and bearing sim
liar responsibilities; and that we demand that the
State Legislature shall, at its next session. remedy
will be no more than just and reasonable compen-
sation; and thus BY removing the inducements for
holding lessen the desire for seeking Office and obvi-
viate to considerable extent one of the potent
causes Of local and political corruption.
Eleventh-That the present system of collecting
taxes merits condemnation, and that We insist upon
having the laws so altered that this duty shall be
performed by the town treasurers, thus saving the
payers trouble and expenle and obvating one of
the most prolific of thecreation and fostering
Of corrupt rings at th{ coups seats to speculate OH
OF the necessities Of ApsSbleAand often to misuse
Twelfth-That We claim that he law recurring the
railroad companies to fence the line of their road
should be strictly e1orced, and that the said COM
panies should be compelled to pay for all loss or
damages to stock caused by the absence of such
fences.
Thirteenth-Thst we are opposed to the monopoly
Of wood and coal in great cities by the railroad
rings as shameful tax upon the industry Of the peo
pie.
Fourteenth-That are in favor of the free water
with the ocean by means of the i'm
provement of the Mississippi and other great rivers
OF the State and the improvement Of the great lakes
and that we are in favor of an examination by the
National Government of the region between the At