The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-02-04
Ihe @ailg Arsns.
Tuesday, January 4, 1878.
FARMERS, CONVENTION IN AEDALUsrA

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As suggested by the late farmers con-
vention OF bloomington, and Puisus"s y
public notice, meeting of citizens ol an,
dalusia, without regard 70 party was he'u
on Saturday evening February ISL at
Jones's Hall for the purpose OF consider
;,n a.. causes now in existence that are
GENERATING 50 unfavorably on the agrieul
tnral. commercial and manufacturing in
tcrests Of the State; as also, to consider
any measure, which may be practicable
or possible for relief. After general dis
cussion, the meeting took steps to organize
aFarmers and Mechanics Club, and passed
the following, with a resolution instructlng
their secretary to send copy to the county
papers for publication, and to our members
of the legislature, viz;
WHEREAS The vast capabilities OF
The Great West tor agriculture. man,
ufactures and commerce, are now crippled
and frustrated bv causes and influences
which are RAPIDLY cxhausting their vitality;
and
Whereas, 1t appears that the most OBJ
yious causes are 10 be clearly traced 10 sew,
eral sources, and among them TO the ex-
istencc of mighty and overshadOwing
monopolies, which threaten the subverslon
uf all free government, and the absorption
Of all the products of industry throughout
the land and
Whereas The monster corporations pos
sess no mower privilege OF franchise which
they have not derived from the Sovereign
People, and for the proper and just exer-
else of which they are directly responsible
To the people and
Whereas, These powers, privileges anC
franchises have only been delegated T.
chartered companies in the way of con
tract between the people and the corpora
tons and
Whereas, The contract is explicitly an,
and clearly violated by their unprineiple'
combinations, for the purpose Of exactini
a ruinous and oppressive tariff of charges
so as 10 reduce the whole State 10 a cOndi
ton Of practical slavery, rendering the en-
tire agricultural, manufacturing and com
mercial interests Of the country dependen
on their corporate will for the privilege q
existence therefore,
Rs,olrcd, First, that we will sustain gu
Legislative judicial and executive authorize
in every Just measure to prevent the roll
berry Of the people Of their Just right
the product Of their labor, in the field,
the factory, and in their commerce.
Second, That If necessary, behevin
that the Sovereign People posses the righ
full power, and might justly exercise it
we will sustain our State authorities in r,
Stunning the powers delegated, wheneyC
any corporation refuses 10 abide by III
terms expressed or fairly and Just ny in
piled, in the original contract or charte
and by the laws enacted for the regulatio
and government Of the same.
Third, That no people nor State can, b
any act, charter or law, Justly divest then
selves and descendants, or Successors, q
their iualienable rights, any more than a
individual can properly commit suicide
Fourth, That the evident constructio
put by the chartered corporations on the
powers and franchises, If admitted by Il
people, means, distinctly, suicide to all Il
material interests aud civil rights Of Il
/ peOplC