The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-03-04
CONNECTICUT DEMOCRACY.

| The construction OF political platforms be-
ing at present the leading industrial pursuit
| OF the-polilicans, specimens of their handi-
craft are becoming quite numerous. One OF
| the best pieces OF workmanship in that line
thus far produced is the following, from the
"shop" of the Connecticut democracy, who
held working bee, or Convention, ut Hart
ford on the 23d ult,:
The democratic liberal party of Connect
cut, IN convention assembled, pledge them
selves anew to the principles which they have
repeatedly adopted, and when the people ol
this state have approved
| l. The constitution AMI the union shall be
maintained, with the supremacy q! the clvll
over the military authority, and we demand
| for the individual the largest liberty consls-
tent with public order; Tor the state, sell
government, and for the federal government
a return to the methods OF peace and corsti
tutional limitations OF power.
9 The civil service Of the government has
become alarmingly corrupt; and 1t Is an ID.
srument Of personal ambition ana an OBJECT
of selfish greed it has become rcproach 10
free institutions. We therefore regard NOR
oIgh reform OF the civil service as one OF the
most pressing necessities ofthe hour, and be-
lieving that honesty, capacity ard fidelity,
constitute the only valid claim of public en-
ploymcnt, we demand that public stations shall
again become q part of party honor.
3. The public credit Of the Union must be
maintained; federal taxation should provide
the means necessary TO pay the expenses OF
the government, economically administered,
and for steady reduction of the national
debt, while the tariff laws should be adjusted
for the purpose Of revenue only.
4. Public lands must be preserved Tor actual
settlers, and subsidies Of money or lands to
corporations and SPECTATORS should cease en-.
tirely.
5. The democratic majority IN the house Of
representatives are especially deserving Of
popular support in their policy OF reducing
the expenditures Of the federal government TO
the actual needs of the public service, thus cut
ting Off supplies which have for eleven years
invited corruption and fed an army OF plum
derers.
5. The only currency known 10 the con.
stltution of the United States is gold and sill
yer, and coin forms the only stable basis for
the commercial necessities Of the world. The
democratic party of the Union has never fail
ed to recognize and support this esSentia!
principle, but following great and costly
war, we find an irredemable currency at our
doors 1t Is, therefore, the duty OF congress
10 auODI SuCIl NlcaSGles aS Sltil icau " al
early resumption of specie payments. while
guarding its acts by that prudence which the
interests of commercial manufacturing and
industrial pursuits imperatively demand.
Z. That the act of the last congress passed
by the republican majority, declaring that
there shall be specie payments on the lst day
of January, 1879, was a scheme OF mere party
expediency; supported by no measure tend
ing to secure resumption. 1t was decep-
ton and fraud. Its results have been lDju-
rious, as the business interests of the country
could not be shaped and conducted to har
monte with an ineffective and deceptive act.
We respectfully ask congress 10 substitute for
it welldetined and practical legislation tend
ing to an accumulation OF coin as basis for
the resumption or funding and cancellation
of portion of the greenback circulation in a
conyertlble bond bearing low rate Of inter
est.
8. That this convention, having confidence
in the ability and integrity Of the senators
and representatives in congress from this
state rely upon such action at their hands ms
will aid IN placing the finances Of the country
upon 4 constitutional basis.
A resolution offered by member of the
New Haven delegation, making grcenbscks
a full legal tender, was almost unanimously
rejected. The resolutions were then uaanl
mously passed.