The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-23
THE PLATFORM.

RESOLVED l. That the democratic party of tbs
state of Illinois. in convention assembled, reafirn
the great principles which are the foundation o
free government, among which are equal rights u
all and exclusive privileges 10 none, protection o
equal taxation, free speech, a free press, free
schools and first of all free and ineorruptbe bal
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 threatenihg as it is the
most insiduous. danger that besets a free govern
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican reputation coa1t1on IN virginia, eVlnces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
81 That we denonnce the reckless extravaganza
and " e 9d mi NJ
the last session of congress, which increased the
appropriations for the current fiscal over those
Of the past year made by Democratic congress to
the enormous extent of $7Ss O0o,0OO
q. 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
sistent efforts obtain their freedom despite the
teristic of British rule over Irelad love OF lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds a
mending it to the respect, admiration and support
of freedom-loving people throughout the world.
s. That it is incumbent upon our government to
protect its citizens, native born and naturaized at
home and abroad, and we denounce sands condemn
the present republican administration ss neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
in the jals of Ireland, by the arbitrary action of the
British government.
o.
taxation to the lowest point consistent with the
wants of the government under anshonest and eco
nomical administration OF its affairs ana that such
taxes be adjusted as to secure an equitable dis
tribution of these burdens.
z. The Republican party OF the state has proved
false TO the pledges il 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
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 unforn
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge. The various radical state officials are sur
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks ana at
PENDANTS, whose salaries are paid from the state
treasury The humiiiating spectacle Is presented
message that the sum of $4,000, 900 would be ample
to pay all the expenses of the state for two years,
the republican legislature appropriating nearly 81
1000 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 nth
lied to relieve the people from taxation, has been
misused a stimulus to increased taxation
s. That the offices of the warehouse and railroad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filled by election by the
people
9. That we demand revision of the present mn
is framed in the interest of capital and while it
vors and fosters Ubiquitous lnonopolies. is unjust
and oppressive to the 1aboring man in all the walks
of life. The constitution confers on congress the
power to raise revenue by duties on imports and as
Just and proper exercise OF that power We favor
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries and at the same time dis
courage monopolies and remove the burdens iEnpos-
ed by the present tariff upon all the laboring people
of the country, and hereby declare that there is
power given by the constitution to congress to
levy tariff tax on the people for the purpose of
protection without reference 10 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 concedng
the right of the people to amendment if necessa-
ry OF such laws prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing ont of abuses in the OF fntoxcat
ing liquors. the convention declares that is not the
q
so long as they are peaceable and orderly, and do
not encroaeh 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, spirituous 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 this state,
without regard to former political Affiliations, to
unite with us at the coming election in carrying
into effect the foregoing principles. q G@s