The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-25
THE PLATFORM.

ResOEUed 1. That the democratic party of the
state of illinois, in convention assembled, reaffrm
the great principles which are the foundation or
free government, among which are equal rights TO
all and exclusive privileges to none, protection of
The weak against the encroachments of the strong,
equal taxation, free speech, a Tree press, Tree
schools, and first of all free and incorruptbe bal
? That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice and denounce the extortion of large sums of
money from ofce-holders to corrupt the ballot and
control elections the most threatening, as is the
most insiduous, danger that besets rec govern
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican reputation coalition in Virginia. eYinees
the utter abandonment of principle ana meets our
unqualified condemnation.
8 That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and protigacy of the republican party IN the appro
prafion of the public treasurey manifested during
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 S1S.0O0,0OO.
f. That we extend our heartiest sympathy to the
Irish people 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
ray of glory upon the Irish national character com
mending it TO the respect, admiration and support
of freedom loving people throughout the world.
5. That it Is incumbent upon our government to
protect its citizens native born and naturalized. at
home and abroad, and we denounce and condemn
the present republican administration for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
in the as of Ireland by the arbitrary action of the
British government.
G. That we are in favor of reduction of federal
taxation to the lowest point consistent with the
wants of the government under an honest and eco
nomica administration of its affairs, and that such
taxes be adjusted a. to secure an equitable dis
tribution of these burdens.
Z. The Republican party of the state has proved
false TO the pledges it 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 and comfort of the unfortu
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge. The various radical state officials are sur
rounded by numbers OF unnecessary clerks ana at
PENDANTS, whose salaries are paid from the state
w Ihe s ma spe ; 81 IL $500
OF the governor OF the state SAVING IN ms annual
message that the sum of s., O000O0 would be ample
pay all the expenses of the state for two years,
and the same governor approving pliis passed Dy
the republican Legislature apprOprIatlng nearly ST.,
ceived annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of a law enacted
by democratic legislature, instead of being util-
misused a. stimulus TO increased taxation
8 That the offices of the warehouse and rBilroad
commissioners, filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filed by election by the
people
8. That demand revision Of the present I'M
just and in many respects prohibtory tariff, which
Is framed in the interest of capital and while 1t IA
vors and fosters iniquitous 1nonopoles is unjust
and oppressive to the aboring in all the walks
Of life. The constitution confers on congress the
power tn raise revenue by duties on imports. and as
Il 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
power given by the constitution to congress TO
levy a tariff the people for the purpose of
protection without reference to revenue.
TO- That while we have no purpose to interfere
with lust laws in force in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in intoxicating liquors. and conceding
the right of the people 10 amendment, If necessa
ry of such laws to prevent or correct the evils of so
ciety growing out of abuses in the use of ntoxcat
ing liquors the convention declares that il is not the
legitimate province OF government to control the
habits, tastes appetites and liberties of the people
long they are peaceable and orderly, and do
not encroach upon the rights of others of society,
and therefore declare that the prohibition by the
constitution or by general laws of the manufacture
sale of y1nous- spirituous malt liquors would
violation of individual and personal rights, and
contrary 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.