The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-16
THE PLATFORM.

Resolved l. That the democratic party of the
Q. IN web are th feunaaton Of
free government, among which are equal rights 10
all and exclusive privileges to none, pTotecton OF
eqnal taxation, free speech, free press, free
schools and first of all free and ineerruptbie bal
lot
q That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice. and denounce the extortfon OF large sums of
control elections the threatening, asst is the
most insiduous, danger that besets free govern
ment, and the shameless resort to such methods by
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican Repatriation coalition IN virginia evinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation
g. That denounce the reckless extravaganza
and profiigaey OF the republican party IN the sppro
the last session of congress, which increased the
appropriations for the current fiscal year over those
OF the past year made by democratic congress to
the enormous extent OF $7S.0OO000.
4. That we extend our heartiest sympathy TO the
Irish people in the struggle for their rights in which
they are now engaged, and recognize in their per
sistent efforts obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon and all other infamous appliances charac-
teristic of British rule Ireland, love OF lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds
raw of glory upon the Irish national character com
mending it to the respect. admiration and support
of freedom-loving people throughout the world.
ss Il = bo p s Out @
home and abroad, and We denounce and condemn
the present republican administration for its neglect
OF duty toward those lately imprisoned suspects
in the ails of Ireland by the arbitrary action OF the
British government.
taxation TO the lowest point consistent with the
wants OF the government under an honest and eco
nomical administration of its affairs, and that such
taxes be so adjusted as TO secure an equitable dis
tributon of these burdens.
2 The Republican party OF the state has proved
false to the pledges has made to to the people.
With not a cent of bonded debt against the state,
the taxes for the past year have been one-third
greater than tn the preceding year. The various
boards OF the state institutions have been used
more to advance the interests OF the republican
party than for the care and comfort of the unortu
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge The various radical state officials
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries paid from the state
treasury. The hnmlating spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saying in his annual
message that the sum of s. 100 900 would be ample
TO pay all the expenses of the state for two years.
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican legislature appropriating nearly ST.
600 900 for such expenses; and the large fund re-
ceived annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of law enacted
by democratic legislature, instead of being nth
lied TO relieve the people from taxation has been
misused as stimulus to increased taxation.
s. That the offices of the warehouse and reilroad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment OF
the governor, should be filed by election by the
people.
9. That demand revision of the present I'M
just, and in many respects prohibitory tariff which
is framed in the interest of capital and while it ia
vors and fosters Ubiquitous Inonopolies IL unjust
am oppressive 10 the laDorlng man In all the walks
OF life. The constitution confers congress the
power to raise revenue by duties ON imports, and as
just and proper exercise of that power we favor
tariff, based on the principle of revenue, which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries, and at the time dis
courage monopolies and remove the burdens impos-
ed by the present tariff upon all the laboring people
of the country, and hereby declare that there is
no power given by the constitution TO congress to
levy tariff tax the people for the purpose of
protection without reference to revenue.
10. That while We have purpose to interfere
with just laws in force in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in intoxicating liquors. and concedng
the right of the people to an amendment If necessa
OF such laws TO prevent correct the evils of
cety growing out Of abuses in the of intoxicat-
ing liquors. the convention declares that it is not the
q
habits, tastes, appettes and liberties of the people
20 long as they are peaceable and orderly, and do
not encroach upon the rights of others of society,"
and therefore declare that the prohibition the
constitution or by general laws of the manufacture
or sale OF vinous spirituous malt liquors would
be In violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary to the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent.
II. That we appeal to the people of this state,
without regard to former political affiliations to
unite with us at the coming election in carrying
into effect the foregoing principles.