The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-02-06
STATE FARMERS ASSOCIATION.

The following are the resolutions which
were adopted at the recent meeting of the
State Farmers Association at Springfield:
WHEREAS, Through the departure from
The primary principles OF our Government as
promulgated by lis founders, and through the
imprudent exercise of that highest preroga.
tive of the freeman, the right of suffrage, we,
the farmers of Illinois, in common with the
wealth and food producers of these United
States, have through our past action, acqui.
esced IN u system Of class-lcgsation which
makes the great majority Slavishly subser-
Went 10 a small minority; and
WHEREAS, THIS condition ls clearly trace
able to the fostering protection which has
been accorded by our legislative bodies. both
State and national, TO the financial, mcrcan-
tile, manufacturing and transporting inter.
es,s, enabling them to accumulate an undue
proportion of the national wealth, and EN-.
Icouraging, IN the exercise of the Corrupting
lobby, influences which have become inscpa
rshle from cur legislative system; therefore,
l. Resolred That the preservation OF our
national life inpcraiively demands that every
American voter shall attend with care all
primary nominations and elections, so as to
iusnre the election of competent and honest
men To- all offices in the gift of the people.
cal parties of this country is such as to forfeit
the confidence and respect OF the people, and
that $50 are, therefore, ahsoivcd from all allie.
rianc, e. them. and should set no longer with
them.
> Nes0ltt5. That wu do not recognize any
necessity that public Offices should receive
cyrruyagant salaries to the end that they may
conform to the dcmand OF expensive and
fashionable tastes, which, in their very ma.
lure, are autagoaisiIc - republican prnci-
piles. and, therefore we demand deduction
of ofacial salaries, including that Of the Pres
ident of the United States to its former basis,
az soon as can constituti0nally be done.
4. Resolred, That we demand the immedi.
a,c reform of abuses in the Civil Service,
through which the patronage OF the Govern
mcnt is dispensed as reward for partisan
service rather than with regard to the public
necessities.
proving end perfecting the navigation of our
principal lakes and rivers and water -cOnnec-
/ lions, and we urge the immediate improve.
ment of the mouth of the Mississippi river.
/ G. Reso,re1, That the right to exchange the
products of labor is coeXtensivc with the
! right of ownership. We submit to all need,
/ full taxation for the support OF the Govern.
ment, but denounce all taxation levied for
The benefit of special classes. We hold that
the existing duties on clothing, lumber, salt
iron and Steel are not only unnecessary to the
! successful prosecution of these industries,
but oppressive to labor, and tend TO create
j nonopolies, while, at The same time, they
furnish pretext for extravacant charges for
railway transportation.
! !. Resolred, That we deprecatc any fur.
Their grants of public lands, or loans of pub
lie credit, and of National, State, or local
4 subscriptions IN aid of corporations.
i $. Resolred, That We demand the repeal
oi the National Banking law, and that The
j Government shall supply national paper mo-
new directly from the Treasury made a full
\ legal tender for all debts, public or private,
including cutics on imports, 10 be inter.
changeablc for registered bonds bearing 800
interest.
j o. Resolsed, That, instead of increasing
the revenue of the National Government to
meet its expenditures, we are in favor OF re-
ducing the expenditures to meet the revenues.
! 10 Hesoip,d, That we hold that our Patent
laws are too often made to- suhscrvc the In
/ teres,s of monopolists, and should be careful
lly revised aud restricted.
! II. Resoird. That we are opposed &c, .
Icousfructon Of the Staie Constitution which
y ssll Justify, under any pretext whatever an