The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-19
TUE DECATUR CONVENTION.

we are able tO-uay 10 give ou' oIioi syuoP-
sis The convention was presided over by
Hon. w. C. Flagg, with J. F. Sherry as vice
president and Cameron, Kicks and Gwyn as
secretaries. The committee on credentials
reported 20, delegates present, representing
IS counties.
The first business done was the appoint
ment of AZ delegates to attend the National
Convention to meet at Indianapolis, two Tor
each congressional district, and four as sena'
torial delegates.
The following platform was reported and
adopted:
Resolred That the preservation of our ma
tional life imperalively demands that every
American voter shall attend with care to oil
primary nominations and elections OF Gem
petent and honest men to all Offices in the gift
Of the people.
Resoiped, That we demand the immediate
refnrm of the abuses in the civil service
through which the patronage OF the govern
ment is dispensed as q reward for artisan
services rather than with regard to tSe public
necessities.
Resolced, That we are in favor of improving
and perfectlng the navigation OF our lakes
and rivers ana water CouueCtiVho aS ooou as
1t can be possibly done.
Resoloed, That we demand the repeal Of the
specie resumption act and the abolition of
national banks and the substitution of legal
tender paper money for the national bank cir
culation, the perfecting of monetary system
based upon the faith and resources of the ma
ton and adapted to the demands of legitimate
business, which money shall be legal ten
der in payment of all debts public and prl-
vate, duties on imports included, except that
portion of the interest and principal of the
present public debt that is by the express
terms of the law creating it made payable in
metallic money, this money to be interchang'
able at the option of the holders with regis
tered government bonds bearing rate of in
tercst not exceeding 1866 per cent per anhum.
Resoloed, That as the tendency of much of
the legislation Of congress has been to en-
nance the value of the interest-bearing bonds
of the government and to deprecia,e the val
the people as their circulating medium, there
fore, we demand In all future legislation le-
gal and exact justice to all classes.
Resoleed, That we demand the reserving OF
the public lands, the heritage Of the people,
for the actual settler, with not another acre
for railroads or spectators.
Resolced, That we demand the abrogation
of all laws that do not bear equally upon capt.
tai and labor, the removal of unjust tcchnl-
calities, delays, determinations in the admin
istraton of Justice, and the adoption of meas
ures providing for the health and safety of
those engaged in mining, manufacturing, and
building pursuits.
Resolred, That the right of the legislature
to regulate and control the railroads and 9th
er corporations by the state must be vindi-
Gated, established, and maintained as an essen
tial of the state government
Ees0lced, That we demand a reduction OF
all public expenditures to the end that tax
alton may be reduced to the lowest possible
limits.
4 motion to amend so as TO make the inter
est on the bonds mentioned in 4th the resolut-
ion payable in gold was voted down.
The convention then proceeded to noml'
nate candidate for Governor. Half dozen
candidates were put IN nomination, only two
however, were voted for, the vote standing,
tor Steward AS, for W. G.. Flagg 90. The
balance of the ticket was then made up as FOL.
/ lows:
For Lieut.. GOVERNOR. NJ. peckerell
For Secretary of State-H. NJ. llooton.
For State Treasurer Henry Tow Aspern.
For Audtor-John flise.
Attorney General-W 5. Coy.
After transacting some formal business, as
appointing . state committee, &c, the con.
vention adjourned