The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-09-10
MINNESOTA PjLiT.CS.
The acknowledgements Convention
ut OwatOnna, Sept. 1.

The Liberal"Democratic Convention
OvgatOnna, Sept. 1.
The Liberal-Democratic Convention
for the First Congressional District met
at Owatonna on the LIST inst, every
county being represented. H. M. Bur-
chard of Winona, presided. n. S. Wilk-
inson, j. H. Mckinney, L. S. Davis, 0.
II. Page and R. M. Drake were the plat
form committee. and they reported the
following, which was adopted:
The people Of the FIRST COMPRESSION
al District of Minnesota, in convention
assembled, do resolve:
First. That the present manage
ment of public affairs is not such as to
command or receive the confidence and
support of the people. The official
prodigality, the recklessness and cor
ruption of those in power, the misap-
preparation of public money
for private purposes, the
encouragement and support of
corrupt rings, organized for the pur-
pose of defra uding the people and plum
dering the public treasury the organ
ization of vast monied monGpolies by a
system of special legislation, thereby
securing to them enormous privileges
and protection not granted to the mass
of the people; the widespread official
corruption, both State and natlonal,and
the utter disregard of the rights of
the people by imposing oppressive taxes
upon them for the purpose Of enriching
the few, and the central Of the gov
eminent by corrupt and Inscriptions
men-have convinced the people that
the time has come when they should
rise above all party prejudices and
unite to remove corrupt officials from
power and to elect in their places those
only who will administer the govern
ment in the interest Of tbs people.
Second. That we repudiate the mod
ern doctrine that railroad and other
like corporations are above and beyond
legislative control, but on the contrary
we assert that it is not only within the
conventional power but it is the bound
en- duty of the Legislature and of Con-
gress to regulate by wise, fair
and appropriate legislation all
railroads and other corporations en-
gagged in the carrying trade Of the
country, to the end that the producer
may receive the just reward of his
labor, and that injustice and oppressive
extortion on the part OF these corpor-
atoms shall cease.
Third. That we hail with JOY the
uprising of the farming interest OF the
country against oppressive legislation
influenced by gigantic combinations OF
capital, becanse this great vital interest,
so long neglected and oppressed by laws
passed for the protection of others and
less important interests, can receive no
adequate redress of existing wrongs
except through we'll organized, intelli-
gent practical action. We firmly believe
) that the best interests Of the country
can be safely entrusted to the keeping
of the great producing classes of the
country As Mr.. Clay once express
ed it, :.There is no doubt but that the
yeomanry of the country is the safest
depository of the public liberty. In
all time and under any probable
direction of the labor of our popula-
ton, the agricultural class must be
much the most numerous and powerful,
and will ever retain a preponderatlne
influence in the councils of the nation
Nor should the farmers abate their pa
triotic effort until corporations yield
obedience to the laws, the power o.
vast monopolies is broken, the ques
, ton Of transportation is put forever al
, rest, and the plunderers driven from
Office and their places filled with hon
est men.
Fourth. That it is a violation Of
public policy for Senators and Repre-
sontatives in Congress to invest ane
speculate in stocks and securities Of
railroad or other corporations, the value
of which result from and depend upol
congressional subsidies. and that thu
position of stakeholder or director IL
: any company now receiving or petition
; ing for such aid is not consistent will
, the proper discharge of the duties o
5 such places Of honor and trust.
| Fifth. That we unqualifedly con
r denim the recent action of Congress ant
r the Administration in increasing tn
: salaries of the President, Cabinet mem
), bers and Supreme Judges and Senator
t and Representatives pay. and deman'
5 the repeal of that act in-toto, and tina
!, we especially condemn the portion Q
e that act which gives members of Con
t gress increased pay for services alread.
4 rendered as an inexcusable approprls
e ton of the public money t
t selfish purposes, and declare that al
d those who participated in the passage
y that act or accepted the back pay, hAv
S proven themselves utterly unworthy Q
e public confidence and deserve only tn
condemnation Of the people.
i The convention then, on motion g
l. John F. Meagher. proceeded to cast a
INFORMAL VOTE
It by count for Member of Congress, r.
u sulting as follows: Buell. %; Wait
: Al; Coggswell 10; and Ward votes
o giving Judge Waite two majority. IN
Of convention then proceeded to
l. FORMAL VOTE
te c.n.--,~~ roS,11f NJ ate Z