The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-06-13
ILLINOIS AND INDIANA SOUND
ON THE CURRENCY

Last Thursday, the farmers 81 Illinois
and Indiana, met ia convention at Spr. X
held and indianapolis. for the purpose Of
giving expression "a their upluI"us on the
questions Of the day. and ais e. place in
nomination candidates for positions Of
public trust m cuusunancr with such
views. In both Instances success crowned
their efforts The platforms adopted,
which We herewith present, prove conclu
siyrly that the efforts of the specie basis
advocates through the public press and
other channels have failed To- convince or
convert the yeumaury ut the West I" their
labor-robhu.g theories, ana the man or
class III men who think the present mo-
ment ephemeral ia character viii be terri
bly uudeceiyed. when election day arrives.
There Was our feature especially notice
able n both conventions, w with few
insignificant EXCEPTIONS the absence Of
professional political trImmers and blather-
sixties The men who composed them
were honest. earnest intelligent citizens.
who prefer the welfare ~ the country to
the resurrection Of a galvanized corpse OF
the longer continuance ia power Of the
most corrupt and unprnclplrd party which
has ever swayed the destluies of the coun-
try The following ! the platform in full
adopted at Springfield. and y hiie il Is not
As explicit on the financial question as We
could have desired it proves that the Wall
street gamblers and their allies must feed
their stock il future in other pastures than
the prairies Of Illinois
We the farmers. mechanics. laborlnumen,
| and other citizens of Illinois ia convention
assembled devuuug it needful for the best
| interests NJ tins State ana nation that indie
pendent political action W. taken by and in
behalf nj the producing, industrial. and
other business claims, aud In opposition to
the corporate mouuPuhc- that are influencing
ami even controlling our legislature, courts,
and executives, and expressing our citizens,
| appealing to the great fundamental principles
ui American liberty, and inviting the favor
| able Judgment Ot our cuuntrvmen, do hereby
RtSoir-, That the preservation of our ma
tonal life imperatlvey demands that every
| American voter should attend with at
the primary nominations and elections, 50 as
| to insure the election of competent and hon
est men t. al offices in the government of
| the people.
, That the recent record Of the political
parties OF this country was such a to forfeit
the confidence and respect OF the people, aud
that We are therefore absolved from all allie
! glance to them, and We viii act no longer with
| them
3 That We insist upon severe retrench-
ment. reform, and economy III all branbhes 81
our public affairs aud believe that with such
economy the tax now collected from the PEG
| Die might he reduced at least one-half with
out mpalring the efficiency Of any branch Of
the public service, State OF National.
T. That We demand the immediate reform
Of abuses in the civil service through which
the patronage Of the government L. dispensed,
as a reward for partisan service rather than
with regard to tile public necessity.
. That We in favor of improving and
perfecting the navigation Of our lakes and
rivers and water connections as soon as It can
be properly done
8. That we are opposed to any further
grants Of public land or loans of the public
credit and Of National, State, or local sub
scnptions III aid Of corporations.
Il That we demand the repeal of our Ma
| tlOnal Banking Law, and that the government
| should iss..e legal-tend currency direct
from the treasury, interchangeable for gov
eminent bonds, bearing the lowest possible
rate of interest
| 5. That we hold our patent laws are too
| often made to subserve the interests Of
monOpollsts, and that they should he care
fully revised and restricted
g. That we are opposed to any construc-
ton Of the State Constitution which will
justify, under any pretext whatever, annual
instead Of biennial sessions Of our State
1 Legislature.
TO- That the existing railroad legislation of
this State should be sustained and enforced
until thoroughly tested before the courts
that we oppose any legislation by Congress
under plea of regulating commerce between
| the States, which shall deprive the people of
their present control and influence Though
State Legislation, and that the claim Of rail
road companies to the right to fix their
frelghts and fares Independent of the people
involves the highest attribute Of sovereignty,
| the right Of cOnqueror to levy contribu-
tons at will upon subjugated people or
State, and, as this power cannot coexist with
government OF the people, it must be re-
| sisted.
H. That the right OF IL legislature to
regulate and control the railroads of the
State must be indicated, established, and
maintained as an essential attribute Of State
government, and that those holding the doc
trne that railroad charters are contracts in
the sense that they are not subject to legisla-
tive supervision and control, have not Just
| appreciation Of the necessary powers and
nights OF free government, and we will
agree to no truce, submit to no compromise
short Of complete supremacy of the state
government In its right, through its legsla-
ture, to supervise and control the railroads Of
the State m such manner as the public inter
est may demand
II mat we uncompromisingly condemn
the practice Of our public officials in receiv-
ing tree passes from railroad monopOhes.
Is. That the principle of protection as ap-
phed to duties on foreign imports is contrary
70 the spirit and intent Of the Constitution,
as It creates privileged classes, levving taxes
on the large majority for the benefit Of the
favored few. We are Therefore opposed t.
all duties levied with this end in view, and
we insist upon the repeal Of all laws laying
such duties, and that taxes shall be levied
for revenue, anu that only.
IA That this convention earnestly recon-
mend to the independent voters of the various
Congressional and Legislative Districts and
counties OF the State, to put in nomination ut
an early day, and use their best effort tOelect
candidates who support the principles herein
enunciated.
Is. That the contract system practiced in
the construction Of our public works, nation
} al, State, and municipal, has been a fruitful