The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-22
FREE TRADE AND FARMERS RIGHTS.

While the grievance Of the Western far-
mers against the railroads is a real one
there is something behind the railroads
which needs looking after. The Western
farmers may learn this from the fact that
farmers nearer the seaboard feel the
weight of burdens the imposition OF which
can in nowise be charged against the rail-
roads. What that something is the far
mers of Geneseo county, New York. DE-
clare with no uncertain voice. At a large
" attended convention of the weal'n'eS'
and most intelligent farmers OF that coun
ty, recently held for the purpose Oh organ
ganizing Grange the Chairman OF the
Committee on Resolutions insisted in
strong speech that the farmers grievances
"are a deprecated currency, a protective
"tariff, and corruption in the administra-
:" ton of government" He went stride
further in the enunciation OF sound doc
trine in attriEuting much of the corruption
of recent administrations to the prevail
ing system 'of government interference
with measures and interests that should
"be left to the States or to individual en-
terprise." The resolutions which were
prefaced by this speech and which after
animated discussion we're adopted with al
most perfect unanimity are refreshing fol
clearness and the vigor with which they
assert and insist upon doctrines absolutely
essential to the welfare and perpetuity o.
our form of government
''Fnst-We believe that sovereignty be
longs only to the State-that the State
cannot delegate or surrender that sover
eighty to individuals or corporations, bu
must forever retain the right to limit, reg
late, and control the immunities and fran
chises granted by acts of incorporation.
"!Second-That the burdens as well al
the blessings of government should res
as equally as possible upon all interest
and classes in society; therefore we ar
opposed to class legislation and monopolie
of every kind and character-and lnsls
that they shall no longer receive eneour
agement and protection at the hands OF tn
Legislature.
"Third-That only upon sound currer
cy convertible at all times into gold an
silver can labor securely rely for its jus
reward. Its depreciation unsettles value:
fosters speculation, illustrates the mos
prudent and careful calculations, bear
heavily upon wearied labor, and is frui
full source of mercantile and financial rev
lutions. Therefore we desire return
specie payments as soon as it can be dor
without too great shocklto the business
the country.
"FOurth-That we are opposed to til
granting of the public lands to corporation
but hold that they should be sold only
actual settlers.
'FIfh-That we demand retrenchmel
in the expenses and economy in the admit
istration Of every department of the publ
service. That so long as the various il
dustries of the country are staggering III
der the heavy burden of local, State, an
national taxation, and while the agricultu
al interests are especially depressed
this burden. there is no excuse for and
will not willingly tolerate any increase
the salariesaof public officers. That Il
bill passed at the last hour of the last d.
of the last Congress, commonly called ii
salary grab was immoral in principle, u
Just in operation, anda gross outrage up
the popular sentiment of the country, al
we demand its immediate and unconditio
al repeal.
When farmers throughout the count
make their voices unanimous with the vol
of the farmers of Geneseo county in Il
demand for Free Trade and sound Gu
rency, there will be an end to the grieva
ces whereof farmers everywhere now
Justly complain