The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-21
TIE PLATFORM.

Resetved l. That the democratic party Of the
state Of Illinois. tn convention assembled, reairm
free government. among which are equal rights to
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equal taxation, free speech, q free press, free
schools, and first Of all free and incorruptble bal
lot
2. That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice, and denounce the extortion OF large sums OF
money from Office holders to corrupt the ballot and
control elections the most threatening it is the
most insiduous, danger that besets free govern
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican reputation coalition in Virginia evinces
fhe utter abandonment Of principle and meets our
g. That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
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the last session of congress, which increased the
appropriations for the current fiscal year over those
the enormous extent OF STs, 600 600.
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-
sstent efforts obtain their freedom despite the
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
nendingit to the respect, admiration and support
OF freedom-loying people throughout the world.
5. That It Il incumbent upon our government to
home and abroad, and we denounce and condemn
the present republican 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 It's affairs, and that such
taxes be adjusted as to secure an equitable dis
tribution of these burdens.
false 70 The ees 81 sne 70 to @
With not q cent of bonded debt against the state,
the taxes for the past year have been one-third
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 nnfortu
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge. The various radical state officials sur
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
tendants, whose salaries paid from the state
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
message that the sum of $500 oe0 would Be ample
to pay all the expenses of the state for two years.
ana Inc same goyeTnor appTovng n1s passed 9y
600 coo for such expenses and the large fund re-
ceived annually f.om the i5nois Central Railroad
by democratic Legislature, instead of being util
ized to relieve the people from taxation has been
nisused as q stimulus 20 increased taxation
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
O. That we demand revision Of the present IN
Is framed in the interest of capital and while it IA
xors and fosters iniquitous monopoiies. 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
tarff based on the principle of revenue. which viii
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 aboring 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 the regulation
of the traffic in intoxicating liquors, and conceding
the right of the people to amendment, If necessa-
y of such laws to prevent correct the evils of
cety growing out of abuses in the use OF intoxicat
ing liquors. the convention declares that it is the
legitimate province of government TO control the
habits, tastes appetites and liberties of the people
so long as 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 by general laws of the manufacture
or sale of vinous, spiritlous or malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary the fundamental principles of free gov
ernment.
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