The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-22
THE PLATFORM.

ResOlred l. That the democratic party of the
state of illinois, in convention assembled, reafhrn
the great PRINCIPLES which are the, foundation OF
free government, among which are equal rights 10
all and exclusive privileges 10 none protection %
equal taxation, free speech, free press, tree
schools, and first of all free and incorruptioie pal
lot.
2 That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice and denounce the extortion of large sums OF
money from ofieeholders to corrupt the ballot ana
control elections as the most threatening, it Is the
most insduouS. danger that beSetS free govern
ment and the shameless resort to such methods by
the national republican committee, ana oy ti!e re
publican Reputation coalition IN Virginia eylnces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation
8 That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and proigacy of the republican party IN the appro
priation of the public treasurey as manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
appropriations for the current fiscal year over those
OF the past year made by a democratic congress 10
the enormous extent of $7S,O00,o0
4. That 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 over Ireland love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds
ray of glory upon the Irish national character com
mendng ii 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 naturalZed. at
home and abroad, and We denounee and condemn
the present republican administration for Its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
in the ja of Ireland by the arbitrary action OF the
British government.
o.
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
tribution of these burdens.
Z. The Republican party of the state has proved
false to the pledges ii has made to to the people.
With not 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
charge The various radical state officials are sur
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries are paid from the state
treasury. The humiliahng spectacle is presented
message that the sum of S. COO 600 would be ample
te all the expenses of the state for two years.
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican legislature appropriating nearly 81,
DOC, 600 for such expenses; and the large fund re-
ceved annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of a law enacted
by democratic legislature instead of being util-
lied to relieve the people from taxation, has been
misnsed as stimulus to increased taxation
s. That the Offices of the warehouse and railroad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filed by election by the
g. That we demand revision of the present I'M
is framed in the interest of capital and while it ia
vors and fosters ubiquitous lnonopolies is unjust
and oppressive TO the laboring man in all the walks
of life. The constitution confers on congress the
power to raise revenue by duties imports, and as
Just and proper exercise OF that power we favor
tariff, based the principle of revenue, which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries. and at the same 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 or tax the people for the purpose of
protection without reference to revenue.
10. That while we have no purpose to interfere
with just laws in force in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in intoxicating liquors, and conceding
the right of the people to endment If necessa-
ry, Of such laws to prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of intoxicat
ing liquors. the convention dec ares that il is not the
Legitimate province of Cover ment to control the
habits, tastes, appettes and berries of the people
so long they are peaceablr 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
or sale of vinons, spirituons malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary to the fundamental principles OF free gov
eminent.
H. 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.