The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-11-03
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.


!. The republican party of the state
of Michlga assembled in convention
for the first time since the tragic death
of James A. Garfield, our beloved leader
and regered chief magistrate, grateful
for the inspiring lessons of his life and
example of his heroic death, record, first
of all, our profound sorrow at his loss
and our veperation for his memory;
and next our strengthened and abid-
ing faith in the stability of repub-
lican institutions and our fixed re-
solve that governments Of the people,
by the people, and for the people, shall
not perish from the earth.
2. Chester A. Arthur, called to a place
of power under most trying and deli
cate circumstances, has proved himself
worthy of the high trust reposed on
him. He has given to the country an
administration conservative, patriotic,
and progressive. The republicans of
Michigan extend to him their conf
dence for the future, based upon the
record of the past.
3. The republicans Of Michigan once
more declare their devotion to the time
honored and fundamental principles of
the national republican party, liberty
for all men; equality before the law
perpetual union of the states; suprem-
acy of the nation; and the inviOlable
right Of every citizen on every foot Of
American soil to cast his ballot accord
ing to his sovereign will, and to have
such ballots, and only such, honestly
counted and truly returned to consti-
tute the voice of the people," which is
the voice Of God.
A. From its organization until now
the republican party has denounced
slavery and polygamy as twin relics of
barbarism." The first persisted at the
hands of the republican party, shot to
death on battle fields and buried in
amendments to the constitution. The
second disgrace Of our civilization and
our century must die. We demand
that polygamy be destroyed. We cor
daily commend the efforts of our sena-
tors and representatives in congress to
that end.
B. Whatever may be our individual
views as to the ultimate ideal system
of international trade, we are all agreed
that the public debt must be paid, the
pensions Of the Nations defenders and
their widows and orphans sacredly
guarded, and the current expenses of
the government duly provided for;
that the revenues necessary for these
purposes must In large part be de-
rived from duties upon imports, and
we affirm that in the adjustment of
these duties in any revision OF the
tariff cpy-o should be taken to relieve
( from taxation, so far as practicable, the
necessities of the poor, especially such
as do not come into competition with
American production, and at the same
time to afford incidental protection to
American producers, to the end that
wages may be maintained at the Amer
lean standard and America control the
American markets.
6. We believe that the time has
come when the public debt and rate of
interest upon public securities have
been so far reduced that our national
Legislators should consi der as an imme-
date duty the reduction of the burdens
of taxation, and as auxiliary thereto a
revision of the tariff.
z. we believe in a rational civil SER
vice which does not create Of the off,
cial class a separate caste, nor take
away from the citizen the inspiration
of participation in the administration
of the government, yet which requires
that offices shall he regarded as trusts
to be administered with intelligence,
fidelity, and economy, and not as spoils
to be distributed as personal perqui-
sites of political managers.
8. In the administration of the state
and national governments we demand
efficiency, integrity, and economy; that
unfaithfui officers be removed and pun
ished; that the public faith and credit
be maintained, and the people be pro-
vided with circulating medium, safe,
uniform, and constitutional; that mo-
nopolies dangerous to the liberties of
the people and purity of the laws be
disfavored, and that the purity of the
ballot be sacredly protected.
8. 1t is the fundamental right of the
people to alter from time to time the
organic law of the state as new circum-
stances or growing evils may require,
laying its foundations on such princip Piles
and organizing its powers In such form
as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their safety and happiness. The
evils of intemperance have become so
great that in the name Of patriotism
the most efficient measures ought to be
taken to reduce those evils to mini
mum, and as members Of no political
party are wholly agreed as to whether
this can be best done through prohibi-
ton or regulation Of the traffic in tax
Ing liquors, and as the people are and
ought to be the final arbitrator of this
question, and as more than 100000
among the moral and intelligent people
Of the state have asked by petition that
the question be put to the people by the
submission to them Of prohibitory
constitutional amendment, we declare
that we believe that 1t would be wise
and patriotic for the next legislature
to submit such an amendment to u
direct vote Of the people, and we de-
mand that 1t be so submitted.
10. Republicans of Michigan demand
a full legislative Investigation of the
transportation question, with view to
scouting such legislative enactments as
will prevent unjust Determinations In
rates by railroad lines operating In the
state.
IL. During % years in which the
affairs of the state have been adminis-