The Grange advance., 1873-12-24

| Of these improvements.
A brief discussion Of several Of the points
| in the paper followed, after which it was
referred to the Committee on Resolutions.
Platform of the Illinois State Grange,
Congratulatory Resolutions - An Improved
Financial System Demdnded-The Salary
Grab Denounced-Ho,v to solre the trans.
portation Problem-The Need Of Civil Ser.
vice Reform.
CHICAGO, Dec. 14.-On the closing
day Of the recent meeting Of the Illinois
State Grange the following platform
was adopted:
Resolved, That the State Grange reiter-
ates the purposes and objects of this Order
that it seeks the social, intellectual and
moral elevation of the farmer class.
Resolved, That in its efforts to accomplish
these purposes and objects, whether by di-
rect precept, by advancing the material in
terests of the farmer class, by influencing
legislation or the Governmental policy, by
cooperative effort of any kind, or by any
other means, it makes defense Of it's acts
only on the ground Of their justice and
equity, and by this test it must stand ap-
proved or condemned by an intelligent peo
pie.
Resolved, That we express our gratifca
tion with the wonderful growth and pros
perity of the Order in this and other States.
and while recognizing its tangible and
material benefits we regard its educational
influence in intoxicating the rights and du-
ties of citizenship as it's most valuable and
durable work.
Resolved, That the State Grange Of Illi-
nois regards with entire cordiality the va
rious organizations of this State and else
where, known as Farmers Clubs and simi-
lar associations, whose objects and pur-
poses are in harmony with the objects and
purposes of this organization; that we in
yite and offer fraternal cooperation SO far
as the peculiarities of our different organi-
cations will permit.
Resolved, That we deplore the rapid de-
struction of American forests and the ex-
haustion of the sources Of supplies of lum-
Der for farming and building purposes, and
80 far as any laws now existing tend to
produce this result they should be modified
or repealed.
Resozved, That while the present laws
pertaining to banking and the currency
possesses many admirable features, they
seem to fail to meet all the requirements Of
the country that these laws should be so
modified as to favor general distribution
of the money supply, to remove the features
of banking monopoly, and check the i'm
mense concentration of capital for specula-
tive purposes; that some policy should be
adopted having the character Of permanent
cy, and looking ultimately to return to q
specie basis.
Resolved, That the Salary-Grab law, so
called, deservedly received the condemna-
ton Of the House of Representatives Of the
last General Assembly, and we see no good
reason why similar action should not have
been taken by the Senate; that we earnest
ly request the members Of the present Con-
gress to repeal said law.
Resolved, That the opprobrium sought to
be brought upon the farmers movement,
so called, as being responsible for the inan-
cial panic, is a compliment to that class,
which has done something, perhaps, to ex-
pose the frauds and corruptions of railroad
and other financial enterprises.
Resolved, That in justice as we'll as by
constitutional authority, Congress possess
tue power u Eeku11to AutcE-0toso COAAAA0@SVs
and that it should exercise that right in
the interests Of the. producing classes to
control railroads, transportation companies,
and others who may unjustly combine to
the injury of the public interests, and that
we approve of the action Congress has al
ready taken or may take with view to
such legislation as may be called for in the
premises.
Resolved, That the prohibitory restric
tions laid upon foreign vessels which would
otherwise engage in the transportation Of
Western products between different parts
of the United States are tax upon West
ern industry, and ought to be modified or
abolished. 49,. -
Resoloed, That this body is profoundly
impressed with the entire inadequacy of
the present facilities and means of trans
portation of the products of the great West
Of the markets of the world E; that in seeking
relief it looks to two sources: III
First The opening Of the natural chan
nels of commerce, and the improvement of
the same, including the canals, when said
canals are essential parts Of these channels,
under the direction and control and at the
expense Of the General Government. and
the construction of railroads by private
capital, under liberal charters, but with