The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-05
THE PLATFORM.

Res0sged l. That the democratic party of the
state of Illinois, in convention assembled. reafirm
the great principles which are the foundation OF
free government, among which are equal rights TO
All and exclusive prVneges 70 none, pfoteeLlon On
equal taxation, free speech, free press, free
schools and first of all free and incorruptible 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 il the
most insiduous, danger that besets q free govern
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican Reputation coalition in Virginia, evnces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
8: That we denounce the reckless extraragance
and proigacy of the republican party in the appro
praton of the public treasurey manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
appropriations for the current fiscal year those
of the past year made by democratic congress to
the enormous extent of $7S, OO0,O0O.
4. That we extend our heartiest sympathy to the
Irish people in the struggle for their rights in which
they now engaged, and recognize in their per
sistent efforts obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon ard all other infamous appliances charac-
teristc of British rule Ireland, love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds q
ray of glory upon the Irish national character COM
mending it to the respect, admiration and support
of freedom-loying people throughout the world
s. That il is incumbent upon government to
protect its citizens, native born and naturalized
home and abroad, and we denounee and condemn
the present for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned suspects
in the afs 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
nomica administration of its affairs, and that such
taxes be adjusted as to secure an equitable dis
tributon of these burdens.
false to the pledges it has made to to the people
With not q 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
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries paid from the states
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saying In his annual
message that the of 1000 900 would be ample
TO pay all the expenses OF the state for two years
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican legislature approprfating nearly 81
600 GOO for such expenses; 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 10 increased taxation.
g. That the offices of the warehouse and railroad
commissioners, filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filed by election by the
people.
9. That demand revision of the present un-l
just and in many respects prohibitOry tariff, which
is framed in the interest of capital and while IA
yors and fosters ubiquitous monopoles is unjust
and oppressive to the laboring in all the walks
of life The constitution cOnfers congress the
power to raise revenue by duties imports. and
Just and proper exercise of that power we favor
tariff, based the principle of revenue, which win
deal justly with existing business relations and with
ali legitimate industries, and at the time dis
courage monopolies ana 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 10
levy tariff or tax the people for the purpose of
protection without reference to revenue.
TO- That while we have purpose to int arfere
with Just laws in force in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in Intoxicating liquors. and conceding
the right of the people to amendment if necessa
ry OF such laws to prevent the evils of
ciety growing ont of abuses in the of ntoxicat
ing liquors, the convention declares that tits not the
legitimate province of government to control the
habits, tastes apetites apd 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
sale of vinous, snirituous malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary to the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent.
II. That 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.