The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-02
THE PATFoRM.

Resotued 1. That the democratic party of the
state of illinois, in convention assembled reairin
the great principles which the foundation OF
free government, Amo ng which are equal rights tc
all and exclusive privileges to none, protection oil
the weak against the entertainments of the strong
equal taxation, free speech, free press, free
schools and first of all free and ineorrupfible bal
lot
3 That we favor honest reform for the civil ser.
Money SnS hoers TO eoraot the ballot and
control elections the most threatening as 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 Fepudiation coalition in Virginia, evfnces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
g. Thatwe denounoe the reckless extravaganza
and profigacy of the republican party in the appro
praton of the public treasurey manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
Of the past year made by democratic congress to
the enormous extent OF SIS, 600, 0o0.
Irish people in the struggle for their rights IN which
they are now engaged, and recognize in their per
dungeon and all other fnfaiuous appliances -charace
teristc of Britishruls over Ireland, love of Lbs
erty which is unparalleled iIfhistorys @af sheds u
ray of glory upon the Irish national character
mendng it to the respect, admiration and support
That Is irSenmbent upon our government 20
project its eizens, native born and naturazed, &C
nome ana ana %e anu t aont
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
in the ails of Ireland by the arbitrary action of the
s. 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 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
the taxes for the past year have been one-third
greater thantn the Preceding year. The various
boards of the state institutions have been used
more toadyancee the interests OF the republican
party than for the and comfort of the unfortn
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge.
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saying in his annual
to pay all the expenses Of The state fo two years,
aud the same governor approving oIss passed by
600 OO Tor suci tZf uses. 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 util
lied to relieve the people from taxation, has been
misused as stimulus to increased taxation.
g. That the offices of the warehouse and rBilroad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment OF
the governor should be filed by election by the
g. That we demand a revision of the present IN
just and in many respects prohibitory tariff which
and fosters iniqutous fnonopofies. is unjust
and oppressive to the laborng nnaIin all the walks
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 VIII
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries, and at the time dis
ed by the tariff upon adj the boring people
of The eouIfr, and we hereby declare thatthere is
no power given by the constitution to congress TO
levy tariff tax on the people FOR the purpose of
protection without reference TO revenue.
TO- q hat while have no purpose to interfere
with just laws in force in Illinois for the Regulation
of the traffic in Intoxicating liquors, and con
the right of the people to an amendment If necessa
ry of such laws to prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of intoxicat
ing hQuorssthe convention declares that it not the
legitimate province of government to control the
habits tastes, appettes and liberties of the people
so long as they are peaceable and orderly and DO
not encToaeh upon the rights of others or of society,"
and therefore declare that the prohibition by the
constitution by general laws of the manufacture
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.
H. That appeal to the people of this state,
without regard 70 former political Affiliations
unite with us at the coming election in Carrying
into effect the foregoing principles. - 81 -.