The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-09-07
ADDRESS,,
TO The Friends Of independent Re-
form,

In the State Of Illinois.

NEED OF REFORM.
The undersigned, in the discharge of {
duty imposed on him by the Independent
Reform convention of June 10, respect
fully presents for your consideration -thai
the evidences Of the want of reform con
stantly accumulate, and that the extrava
gance and corruption practced by our 10
cal, state and general governments fOl
yerrs past, demand careful investigation
of the cause and the remedy. The means
frequently used by political parties to OBJ
tain and retain power have much to do il
producing corruption The use of money
and other foul means to obtain nominations
and elections to office, and the practice
among representatives of receiving fees as
counsel in matters of legislation, and
bribery in various shapes, are dangerous
enemies to republican government Sen
ator Morton says in his recent speech,
There are good and bad men in all par
ties, and the bad men ultimately take pos
session of all organizations, unless they are
repressed, exposed, and brought to punish.
ment.' He has the temerity to say fur
ther, The detection and exposure of the
Credit Moblier, Sanborn and the District
of Columbia transactions, were the volun-
tary and earnest work Of the Republican
party He Is careful not to say the parties
were brought to punishment" Party
leaders are tempted to go to great ex
tremes in attempting to retain control OF
the government This was true Of the old
Democratic party which went to pieces il
1860 and is true of the administration
party Of to-day and for years past
CORRUPTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Prior to the election Of 1872, the Repub-
lican party in congress used its power to
prevent exposure and punishment, and
never did anything in this direction until
absolutely compelled by outside pressure.
The Credit Mobilize scandal came out in
its glazing cOlors by reason of some of the
rogues dsputng about the spoilS among
themselves. The detection and exposure
made by congress in these cases are cheats
upon the people--mere excuses to bridge
over the dark chasms made by the bad
men OF this once patriotic party,
Senator Morton says also that the true
test OF an honest party is in its sclf-exam-
lnatlun, and the exposure of corruption in
It's own ranks. his being true. there is
little room to doubt the dishonesty and cor
ruptlon OF the Republican party. The cx-
animation and euposurs of the cases men
toned by The senator, were made bv the
independent press Of the country long be
fore congress could be Induced to expose, a."
and notwithstanding the exposures brought
to the notice OF senator's and representa-
tlyes In congress by the independent press.
OF numerous cases of fraud upon the gov
eminent, nothing has been done by the .
party IN power giving these desperate lead /
ers the right to talk of punishment for
corruption in its own ranks" The senator
Gays also, the Republican party is of the
people and against monopoGes" Never I
did monopoles gain power and riches fast /
er than since that party came into bower.
The tariff, finance. railway aud water trans
p0rtatIon questions, are of vital IMPORT
ance TO the people, and especially to the
producers Of the west
REppCBLlCAN POLICY SUITS MOYoPoLIsTs.
-, The policy of the Republican party of
the country has been eninently satisfactory
70 the monopollsts Money and land have
been gwen to the mouopolists in RECKLESS /
PERCUSSION, while the loud calls of the peo. 1
pie Tor cheaper portatian and cheaner
government receive but little notice The
monopolIsts in congress and out Of can
gress. both Republican and Democrat have
joined hands to keep the present party in
power that they may still be able to nlun.
aer aud rob the people Read the address
OF the Union Republican congressional
committee, recently issued. II i fnn
OF self praise for past deeds. and urgent
appeals to be retained in power. bnt not
one word IN its entire length that the most
greedy mon0polist in the land vould care
70 erase. Upon the railway transnorta.
ton question they say: IF the romnanv
charges too much, no one is OBLIGED n er,,
ploy Il, The producer did his own car
Tying before the railroad was built He Las
tne perfect right to do 50 after it is buiI, "
What railroad king could talk in more in
ssuinng language to the producers than the
foregoing quotations from this Republiran
committee? What .furtbe,
evidence Is wanted TO prove that the Re-
gLuoi.Ian party Is now under the contrul Of
.ne gad men What hope of ever hay
ins ieuel py congress until a new class of
men, uyse whose position and business
makes them sympathize with tbo rrr,a,,'o,,
people, are made representativas
OPPOSED tn A.,
tbs.
These Republican leaders seem ex,-.
~ anxious to have the old Democratic -
~ for their opponent The coDgressI,,,al
committee say: There is no room for
my other style in our politics" Senate
Norton says: For years TO couge he
ontest viii be between the Republican
nd Democratic parties" WIZ fbie G.