The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-28
THE PLATFORM.

Resolrsd. l. That the democratic party of the
state of Illinois, in convention assembled, reafrm
the great principles which the foundation OF
free government, among which equal rights to
ali and exclusive privileges to none protection of
the weak against the encroachments of the strong,
equal taxation, free speech, "a free press, free
schools. and first of all free and iacorruptbe ball
2 That we favor honest reform for the civil SER
vice, and denounee the extortion OF large sums OF
money from office holders corrupt the ballot and
control elections the threatening it is the
most insiduons, danger that besets a free govern
nent. and the shameless resort to such methods by
the national republican committee, and by the re
publican reputation coalition IN Virginia, eyinees
the utter abandonment OF principles and meets onF
unqualified condemnation.
8. That denounce the. reckless extravaganee
pFiaon of the public treasurey manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
OF the past year made by a democratic congress to
the enormous extent of S7s,0oo,ooo
A. That we extend our heartiesf sympathy to the
Irish people the struggle for their rights in which
they now engaged, and recognize in their per
dungeon and all other infamous appliances eharac-
teristc Of British rsie oyer Ireland love of lib
ray of glory upon the Irish national Character. com
mendihgf to the respect admiration and support
of freedom-loying people throughout the world.
s. That II Is incumbent upon our government to
protect its citizens native born and naturalized at
the present republican admins rakion for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
in the jasef ireland, by the arbitrary action 1.-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
nomical admnstratoheofits affairs. and that sueh
taxesbe adjusted to secure equitable dis
tribution of these burdens.
T. The Republican party of the state has proved
false 70 the pledges 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
more TO advance the interests of the republican
.an or Inc care ana comfort OF te %
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 Illuminating spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saying in his annual
message that the of 81, 600 would be ample
10 pay all the expenses of the state for two years.
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican legislature appropriating nearly 81,
o00.c00 for such expenses; and the large fund re-
eeived annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions OF aiaw enacted
by democratic legislature. instead of being uti
lied to relieve the people from taxation has been
8. That the offices of the warehouse and railroad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filed by election BY the
people.
9. That we 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 iniquitous monopolies. is unjust
and oppressive to the laborng man in all the walks
of life The constitution confers on congress the
power to raise revenue by duties imports and
just and proper exercise of that power favor
tariff based ON the principle of revenue which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries, and at the same time dis
courage ..ioIisi and remove the burdens impos-
ed by the present tariff upon allthe 1abgrng people
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 concedirg
the right of the people amendments if necessa-
ry of such laws TO prevent or correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of ntoxicat
ing liquors the conventions declares that tits the
legitimate province of government to control the |
habifs tastes. appetites and Liberties of the people
are 41nAP 10 Nu6rT and dol
not encroach upon the rights of others of society,
and we therefore declare that the prohibition by the
constitution or by general laws of the manufacture
or sale of vlnous, spirtuous or 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 eshis state.
without regard TO former political affiliations 20
unite with as at the coming election in carrying
into effect the foregoing principles