The Grange advance., 1874-06-17
Platform Adopted by the Farmers
Convention of Illinois, at Spring.
field. June 10th.

'"sAVAAA AOVPtcu ~ suC 0aACAs
Convention of Illinois, at Spring.
field. June 10th.
We, the farmers, mechanics, labor
ing men, and other citizens of Illinois,
in delegate convention assembled,
deeming it needful for the best inter.
ests of this State end nation that indie
pendent political action be taken by
and in behalf of the industrial and
other business clas ses, and in opposi-
tion to corporate monopolies, that are
influencing and even controlling our
legislatures, courts and executives, and
taxing and depressing our citizens, ap-
pealing to the great fundamental prin-
ciples OF American liberty. and invok.
ing the favorable judgment OF our
countrymen, do hereby
Resolve, That the preservation of
our national life imperatively demands
that every American voter should at.
tend with care all primary nominations
and elections, so as to insure the elec
ton Of competent and honest men to
all offices in the government of the
people; that the recent record of the
political parties of this country is
such as to forfeit the confidence and
respect of the people, and that we are
therefore absolved from all allegiance
to them, and will act no longer with
them.
Resolved, That we insist on severe re.
trenchment, reform and economy in
all branches OF our public affairs, and
believe that with such economy the
tax now collected from the people
might be reduced at least one.halt with
out impairing the efficiency Of any
branch of the public service, State or
National.
Resolved, That we demand the i'm.
mediate reform Of abuses in the civil
service, State or National.
Resolved, That we demand immedi.
ate reform Of abuses iu the civil serv.
ice through which the patronage Of the
government is dispensed as a reward
tor partisan service rather than with
regard to public necessity.
Resolved, That we are in favor of
improving and perfecting the navi<g "a.
ton of our lakes and rivers and water
connections as soon as it can lie prop.
erly done.
Resolved, That we are opposed to
any further grants of lands or loans OF
the public credit, and of national, State
or local subscriptions in aid Of corpor-
atoms.
Resolved, That we demand the re.
peal Of our national banking law, and
believe that the government should
issue legal tender currency direct
from the treasury interchangeable tor
government bonds, bearing the lowest
possible rate of interest.
Resolved, That we hold that Our pa
tent laws are too often made to sub
serve the interests of monopoIists, and
that they should be carefully revised
and restricted.
Resolved, That we are opposed to
any construction of the State constitu
tion which will justify under any pre-
text whatever, annual instead OF bien
MEL sessions OF our State Legislature.
Resolved, That the existing railroad
legislation vt this State should be sus.
tained and enforced until thoroughly
tested before the courts. That we op.
pose any legislation by Congress under
the plea of regulation Of commerce be.
tween the States which shall deprive
the people of their present control and
influence through the State legislation
and that the claim of the railroad com
panic; to the right to fix their freigh:
and fares Independent of the people,
involves the highest attributes of SOW
ereignty-the right Of conqueror te
levy contributions at will upon a sub
jugated people or State, As this pow
er cannot coexist with government
OF the people, it must be resisted.
Resolved, That the right Of the
| Legislature to regulate aud control the
railroads of the State must be vindi
Gated, established and maintained az
an essential attribute OF the state gov
ernment, and those holding the doc.
trine that railroad charters are coz
tracts in the sense that they are no
subject to legislative supervision ant
control, have no just appreciation o
the necessary powers ami rights Of 1
free government, aud we agree to NJ
truce, submit to no compromise, shor
of complete supremacy of the Stat
government in its right through tn
Legislature, to supervise and construc
the railroads of the State in such ,
manner as the public interest may de
mand.
: Resolved, That we uocompromis
ingly condemn the practice of our pub
lie officials in receiving free passe
from railroad companies.
Resolved, That the principles o
:, protection as applied to duties on i'm
> ports is contrary to the spirit and in
tent of the constitution, as It create
privileged classes levyiag taxes on th