The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
From the Pittsburg Telegraph.
Independent Political Movements.

Three State conventions were held
yesterday, Indiana, Illinois, and Kansas,
made up mainly of delegates represen-
ting the farmers or Grange element and
dissatisfied Republicans and Democrats,
all in search of new party, into which
none of the selishness and corruption of
the old organizations will be able to
penetrate. This is a noble aspiration
certainly, but we think brief expert
ence will convince the Grangers that hu-
man nature, and especially political and
office-hunting nature is much the same,
no matter which party it affects. The
Indiana and Illinois Conventions were
largely attended, nearly every county in
each State being represented. Both
Conventions nominated tickets for the
State officers TO be elected this fall, made
up of Repu ublicans and Democrats in
equal proportion. The Kansas Conven-
ton was an ofshoot from the regular
grange movement, and did nothing but
resolve to coalesce with other dissatisfied
elements in a State Convention to be
held on the 9TH of August. This in
cludes junction with the Democrats of
that State.
The platforms adopted at Indianapo-
lis and Springfield, show pretty fully the
scope of the new movement. The new
organization was christened "Indepen-
dent Reform" by both Conventions,
which were in constant telegraphie COM
munication with each other. The Indi-
ana Convention declared
First-Against banking and monied
monopolies, which concentrate, through
roulnous rates of interest, the products
of human labor in the hands of nom
producers.
.Secoad-Against consolidated rail-
roads and other transit monopolies.
Tkird-Against manufacturing mo-
nopolies, which determine the price of
laborer and products.
Fourth-Against land monopolies,
which absorb the public domain.
FJtk-Against commercial and grain
monopolies speculating and enriching
the bloated corporations.
A mass of generalities, not particular
ly glittering, and as unobjectionable, the
way they are put, as the golden rule
The remedies suggested for all these
evils are summarized as follows:
First-Favors the selection of honest
and capable men for Office without re-
gard to former political opinions; and
discountenanees the use of money or
whisky to secure votes, and the election
of the same person for more than one
term.
Second-Denounces the increase of
taxes, fees and salaries at Washington
and at home. and promise reform in
these respects.
Third = Demands reduction of all
public expenditures.
Fourth-Opposes the allowing of ten
per cent. on judgments and collection of
attorneys fees of defendants.
Fifth-Opposes the assessment law of
real estate, as unequal and unjust.
Sixth-Demands a change in the
grand jury system.
Seventh-That no party is worthy of
confidence which denies the right of the
people to restrain the abuses Of the liq-
uor traffic.
This was in Indiana The Illinois
resolutions cover pretty much the same
ground. A resolution in the latter Con-
.vention against imitation was voted down
by almost unanimous vote, and both
Conventions "dodged" this issue, with
the easy facility of well-trained politi-
Clans The Illinois platform is as fol-
lows:
First-That the preservation of our
national life imperatively demands that
every American voter should attend
with care all primary nominations and
elections, SO as to insure the election of
competent and honest men of all offices;
that the record of the political parties
in this country is such as to forfeit the
confidence and respect of the people,
and we are absolved from all allegiance
to them, and will act no longer with
them.
Second-That we insist upon retrench-
ment, reform and economy in public af-
fairs.
Third-Demandingt the reform of aba
ses in the civil service.
Fourth-Favoring the Improvement
of the navigation of river and water
connections.
Fifth = Opposing further grants ol
public lands or loans of public credit in
aid or corporations.
Sixth-Demanding the repeating OF
the National Banking law, and favoring
the issuing of the legal tenders inter
changeable for government bonds bear.
ing low interest.
Seventh--Urging the rev ersion of the
patent laws.
Eighth--Opposing annual sessions Of
the Legislature.
Ninth-Approving the railroad legis-
lation of the State, and disappearing
the interference by Congress in the
same.
Tenth-Condemnin the system o
free passes.
Eleventh--Against protection as ap
piled TO duties on foreign imports, anC
contrary to the Constitution and crea
ting privileged classes. Demands th'
repeal of all such taxes, and insists thai
taxes shall be for revenue only.
1t is evident from the last resolution
that the Western Grangers will all tax
substantially the same ground agains
the protection system.
We by no means underrate thes
movements, and would not be at all sur
prised if they would sweep every stat
J west of Ohio this fall. The farmers
comprising large majority of the vo