American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-04-20
ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Adopted by the State Convention at Spring.
field, April IL.

The Democracy of the State of Illinois, as
sembled in convention. congratulate tho
resulting from the late civil war upon the
principles of local self government so long
supported by the Democratic party, and re-
affirm confidence in the capacity of the pco
pie to govern themselves. and their belief in
the liberty of individual action uncontrolled
by sumptuary laws, the separation of Church
and th OF fr yS IN a6e M
expressed will of the majority; and we de-
clare
l. That reform must be made in the nation
al, state. county and municipal governments,
by reduction of taxes ard expenditures the
dismissal of unnecessary and incompetent
officers and employees from the public serv-
ice, and the strict enforcement of official re-
sponsibility and that the provisions of the
State Constitution limiting Indebtedness and
the rate of taxation shall be strictly obse1v-
ed and enforced
adopted, and if discrimination is made, IL
should be made in fav r of the necessa les of
life, and, in order to remove part OF t c
bur len tr pu the mass of the people who are
taxed so much, a graduated tax on income
be adopted and placed upon the surplus
profits of the wealthy who escape their pro-
portion of taxation.
3. We favor United States bonds and Treas
ury notes being subject to taxation the same
as other property
4. All contracts ought to be performed in
good faith, according to the terms Thereof,
and the obligations of the Government dis
charged in law full money, except where other
wise expressly provided upon their face and
by the law under which they were issued, and
reputation should find no favor with an
honorable people.
5. 1t is unwise to make any further reduc-
ton of the principal of the public debt for the
present, and bonds rs they mature, or sooner
ii possible, should be replaced by the issue OF
other bonds bearing lower ate of interest.
1t is the duty of the Federal Government to
issue bonds in small denominations to be
sold in this country for the accommodation
of those who wish to invest their savings in
safe securities.
6. That we favor the immediate and uncon-
ditional repeal of the Resumption act
T. That applaud the action of Congress
in the enactment; of the silver bin and ac-
cept it as partial measure of fin,ncial re
lief but we demand such further legislation
may result in authorizing silver bullion
certificates and IegaliZing the free coinage of
the sil' er dollar, the demonstration OF which
we denounce an act meriting the condem-
nation of the people.
8. 1t is the exclusive prerogative of the
money, and right which ought not to be cx
ercised by any State or corporation
8. No further contraction of the volume of
legal tender Treasury notes ought to be al
lowed, and they should be received for GUS
toms, taxes, and public dues, as well as pri-
To- The national bank notes should be
tired, and instead of them there should be
issued by the Government an equal amount
H. Subsidies in money, bonds. lands or
credit ought not to be granted by the Federal
r. The Bankrupt law ought to be immedi-
ately repealed.
ID. Courts should be brought as close to the
homes OF litigants as economy in the Govern
mcnt will Justify and therefore the judicial
power of the United States should be so regu-
lated rs to prevent in controversies between
different States the transfer of cases from
state to nferior courts which are so far re-
moved from the people as to make justice
therein fnconvenient, expensive and tardy. |
Not less than 5000 should be fixed as the
minimum jurisdiction OF such courts In such
controversies.
II. The appointment by Federal courts of
receivers OF corporations who resist the pay
ucnt of taxes in disregard of the rights of
citizens and turn the earnings of corporations
into foreign channels, is an evil that ought
to be corrected by law, and Congress ought |
to enact such laws as will prohibit such evils |
and prevent interference by Federal courts |
with the collection of State, county and lnu-
nicipai taxes by the appointment of receiv- |
crs, granting injunctions or other procedure. |
Il. The wages of employees of corporations |
engaged in mining, manufacturing and trans |
the property, receipts and earnings of said |
and said lien should be de- |
e.lsticd, defined and enforced by appropriate |
legislation.
Is The system of leasing convict labor |
o. sht 10 be Immediately abolished by the |
I .c-ts~l.ItUrr, and some measure adopted to |
protect manufacturers, mechanics, and Ia
borers from unjust competition Within con-
viCt labor of other states.
ADDITIONAL RESOLUTIONS.
In addition to the above, which was sub
mitted platform, the following resolu-
lions were adopted:
E,soIreJ That the acts of the leaders of the
party in defeating the choice OF
The pcouIc for President and Vice President
is the monster political crime of the age-a
crime against free government and the elect
i've franchisc-which can only be condoned
,yJan The, criminals are driven from power
and consigned to infamy by the people whom
they have outraged, and we denounce
Inc net of the President in ap
noipting to high Offices the corrupt |
members of the Returning Board as IA reward
Tor their Infamous conduct, and we condemn
he officers of the Federal Government who
have uttctupr ed to interfere with the admin |
-tfaffon Of Justice in the courts OF Louisiana.
Resolred That 1t Is the duty - our LeHfsla-
ure to enact laws for the protection OF de-
DO -ftors in savings and ali other banks, ana
Or the incarceration OF defaulting bank ON
,eas.