The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-02-10
LIGHT IN THE SKY
THE ILLINOIS DEPARTURE

UNWORTHY,
The Chicago Tribune has full account Of
the caucus Of the opposition members of
the State Legislature, at Springfield, on
Wednesday night. Mr.. Durham OF the
committee on resolutions submitted the fol-
lowing report:
Political parties are but aggregations ofcitizeps
having common belief, and exist only by con-
and obligations that cause them to assume
definite exist9nces and functions as corporations
they make history and create friends and enc
mics. They live or die by the records they make
The acts OF their representative men are politi-
cally as binoing upon them the acts of an
agent are upon his principal. We hold that par
ties long established should not be abandoned
for light and transient causes but when any par
the people or has failed upon repeated trials to al
ford relief that 1t is the duty OF the people to
form new alliances or organizations for the pro
motion OF the public welfare. We recognize as
facts not to be disguised that the Democrs attic and
Republican parties have arrayed the people of
the United states upon opposing lines; that each
one has chosen its leac ers and made its record !;
that each at this time has no other reason for
existence than the continued election of office
seekers 10 place. that each has furnished its due
proportion of the allies of nearly every public
wrong that has been inflicted on the people for
the last decade; that the one in power
has led in every scheme OF public pIunder: that
the one out Of power has had many leaders in
office who have proved unable to Withstand the
allurements OF plumber offered for division by
their powerful opponents; that OF late years,
neither in Congress nor elsewhere has either
anu se s upon .ne si t OIL the people by It's
contrary, these false servants and leaders: by
the powerful machinery of caucuses and con-
ventions, have control of their respective par
ties and thereby The offices only to beIray
important trusts, delude their friends, and de-
stroy the hopes OF their supporters and of the
For these, among other reasons, we hail with
pleasures the signs OF new departure" in the
n nVad fNf
promises to bring forward a measurs adequate to
the needs of the hour, and men contemptent and
unsullied by the corruption OF the past. There
hesolved, That we do and will support such
measures and men as in our judgments ara un-
influenced by party predictions and will most
surely accomplish the great cardinal objects of
All political corporstions-the create good of
Resolved, That we are opposed TO protective
tariff or other class legislation, and to any fur.
corporations; but that we are in favor of reform
in the civil service; Of making all officers cleo
tive; and of improving our water means OF
Resolved, Further, that the General Assem- bly,
should abolish all boards now having the charge
and control of the penal, reformalory, and elee-
the charge and control of the same upon three
persons, 10 be elected upon the cumulative sys.
tenn
Resolved, That sound policy dictates that no
further legislation upon the subject of railroad
charges for the transportation of freight aud
passengers should be fairly tested. exeent sucb
amendments thereto, If any, as may be necessary
TO fully perfect and carry out the theory Thereof
saleappropriations recommended by the Gov
erpor in his late message, and in favor of no APP
preparation not imperatively demanded by the
public necessity.
WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVE ABN.
Alexander, of Montgomery, moved to
strike out the words in tue preamble stating
that "the acts OF their representative men
are the acts OF the people," He did not like
the acts OF their representative men in
Washington last winter. ILaughter.]
Durham explained that the sentence made
them responsible Tor no one. 1t was
pie. The motion to strike out was
lost, and the preamble was adopt
ed without amendment. The first resolution
was adopted. The second resolution was
adopted. The third resolution was adopted.
TAT this point, Gov. Hendricks, of Indiana,
entered. and was applauded. Being intro,
duced, he spoke as follows:
GOV. HENDRICKS SPEECH.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: feel
myself quite taken captive, and now l can
not undertake to make an address, for the
reason toat in Indiana our minds have
not boon upon political matters.
The contest OF 1872 was so sharp
relaxed, and since then have not had any
election or contest, nor am prepared to adj
wise. This much one may sssert-thst
the Judgment of the people is
against the administration in power; and
il all the elements OF opposition become COM
bined, the result in the approaching elections
must be the defeat of the party that
has so long, and with such firm hold, b Id
the power. / believe the element of the OPP
position may unite to maintain the States
in their constitutional power, and the Fed
eral Government in its rightful authority.
Upon that idea the Democrats, The Liberals,
and the Changers have com.
mon ground. 1t is apparent that
THE FARMERS
are dissatisfied, but, so far as I can under
stand their purposes and feelings, they are
more in accord with democratic opinions
and purposes than with tho party in power,
and will repeat what suggested to-day in
the Senate.-that prominent politicians seek
to make pretext Of railroad combinations
to. carry the control and management of
railroads into congress. Under this pretext
Capitalization is sought. Now, 1t seems
to me that the interests of the
farmers ofIllinois as shippers of their pro-
duce can be more safely protected and rsgu-
lated at Springfield than at Washington
more safely, for the reason that If you, as
their Legislature, fail therein, they can bring
you to a more direct and immediate account.
The responsibility from Springfield is more
direct than from Washington, and under the
decisions of the courts, the States can
provide for the rights and interests
of agriculture as connected with the
transportation of products aud at the same
time not wrong the railroads. and when you
give the assurance by your acts to that effect,
the farmers will be content to seek such pro-
lection rather than more distant and IRE
sponsible control Ofthe future ofpolitical
matters cannot now undertake to speak. /
believe the 5000, 900 Democratic voters will
not disband; but, standing upon such just
and liberal positions as will invite co opera
ton of. all the elements OF opposition, sue
cess may attend. Thanks for the respect you
have shown me. must beg to be excused
from any further address
DEBATE RESUHEp.
The fourth and fifth resolutions were
adopted after some debate then the ques-
ton was en- adopting the pream and res
olutiops. Senator Casey understood the
preamble to read the Democratic party out |
out ofexistence, and he didn't want to go. |