The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-09


ton caucus met in the Leland this evening, |
Mr.. Casey, of Pulaski, in the chair There
was a full attendance Mr.. Dunham, OF
Henry, Chairman of the Committee to
whom was referred the matter OF prepar-
ing resolutions expressive of the sense OF
the Opposition, read the following resolu-
tons, which were considered seTSdtim:
NEW DEPARTURE.
Political parties are but aggregations OF citizens
having q common belief, and exist only by consent,
legations that cause them 20 assume as definite ex-
istences aad functions as corporations. They make
history and create friends and enemies. They live
or die by the records they make The acts Of their
representative men are politically as binding upon
them as the acts Of an agent are upon his princi-
We hold that parties long established should not
be abandoned for light and transient causes, but
and wants of the people, or has failed upon repeat
ed trials to afford relief that 1t Is the duty of the
people TO form new alliances or organizations for
the promotion OF the public welfare.
We recognize facts not 10 be disguised that the
Democratic and Republican parties have arrayed
lines that each at this time has no other reason for
existence than the continued election OF oice-seek-
ers to place that each has furnished Its due proper
ton Of the allies OF nearly every public wrong that
has been iniced on the people for the last decade
that the one In power has led in every scheme of
public plumber; that the one out of power has had
many leaders in office who have proved unable TO
withstand the allurments OF plumber offered for d.
vision by their powerful opponents; that of late
years neither In Congress elsewhere has either
placed itself upon the side of the people by its acts,
and the votes of its servants that the contrar
these false servants and leaders, by the powerful
machinery of caucusses and conventions, have con
troll OF their respective parties and thereby secured
the Offices only 10 betray important trusts, delude
their friends, and destroy the hopes of their sup
porters and of the country
For these. among other reasons we hail with
pleasure the signs of q new departure" in the
ranks Of the people and Of movement that prom
needs OF the hour, and men competent and unsul
He'd by the corruptions OF the past Therefore
belt
ResOlUed That we do and will support meas ure,
and men as in our Judgment are uninfuenced by
the great cardinal objects of all political corpora
nons-the greatest good OF the governed.
dnSt 5o we are opposed 70 proechs
grants or loans of the public credit in aid of cor
civil service; OF making all officers elective; ant
OF improving our water means OF transportation.
ResoIoed Further that the General Assembl,
should abolish all Boards having the charg
and control of the penal reformatory, and eleem
osynary institutions of the State, and confer tn
charge and control OF the same upon three persons
10 be elected upon the cunt ative system.
Resoloed, That sound policy dictates that no fur
Their legislation upon the subject OF railroad charge
for the transportation of freight and passenger
should be had until the present law shall have bee
fully and fairly tested, except such amendment
thereto, If any may be necessary to fully perfeC
and carry out the theory thereof:
Resotped That we are opposed to the wholesal
appropriations recommended by the Governor
his late message, and in favor OF no appropriate
not imperatively demanded by the public necessit!
WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
Mr. Alexander, of Montgomery, move
to strike out the words in the preambl
stating that ''the acts of their representa-
tive men are the acts of the people," Fl
did not ike the acts of their represents
tive men in Washington last winter
Laughter.
Senator Brown, of Morgan, said the ser
tence in question was a drive at the oil
Democratic party. 1t would have to be ez
planned; hence it should be struck out
Mr.. Dunham of Henry, explained tn;
the sentence made them responsible for r
one. 1t was only the enunciation of
principle. The motion to strike out W;
lost, and the preamble was adopted witt
out amendment.
ADOPTING THE PLATFORM.
The first resolution was adopted
The second resolution was adopted
The third resolution was adopted.
At this point, Gov. Hendricks, of Il
diana, entered, and was applauded B
ing introduced, he spoke as reported b
low.