The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-09-01
The Platform.


The Platform.
The Hon. Austin Blair, chairman of the
committee on resolutions, came to the stage
and was received with prolonged ap-
plause. He said that the committee on
resolutions were substantially unani-
nous in presenting the plat
form. In order that it might be
clearly heard he called upon Gen.
Cutcheon, who drew up the resolutions, to
read them.
Gen. Cutcheon, with frequent Interrupt
tions by hearty applause then read the
platform as follows:
1. The Republican party of the state:of Michigan
assembled in convention for the first time since
the tragic death Of James A. Garfield, our beloved
leader and revered chief magistrate grateful for
the inspiring lessons of his life and the example
OF his heroic death, record, first OF all, our pro-
found sorrow at his loss and our veneration for
his memory; and next our strengthened and
abiding faith in the stability of republican insti-
buttons and our fixed resolve that governments of
the people, by the people and for the people shall
not perish from the earth.
2. Chester A. Arthur, called to a place of
power under most trying and delicate circum-
stances has proved himself worthy of the high
trust reposed in him. He has given TO the coun-
try an administration conservative patriotic and
TO him their confidence for the future, based
upon his record of the past.
g. The Republicans of Michigan once more de-
clare their devotion to the time-honored and
fundamental principles of the national Repub
can party liberty for all men, equality before
the law, perpetual union OF states, supremacy of
the natural and involable right of every citizen
on every foot of American soil to cast his ballot
according TO his sovereign will and to have such
ballots and only such, honestly counted and truly
returned, to constitute the voice of the people"
which il 1.-THE voice of God"
a. From its organization until now the Repub-
lican party has denounced slavery and polygamy
as "twin relics of barbarism." The first persisted
at the hands of the Republican party, shot to
death on the battle fields and buried in amend
ments to the constitution. The second disgrace
of our civilization and our century must die. We
demand that polygamy be destroyed. We cor
daily commend the efforts OF our senators and
representatives in congress to that end.
s. Whatever may be our individual views as to
the ultimate ideal system of international trade,
we are all agreed that the public debt must be
paid, the pensions of the nations defenders and
their widows and orphans sacredly guarded, and
current expenses of government duly provided
for; that the revenues necessary for these pur-
poses must in large part be derived from duties
upon imports; and we affirm that in the adjust.
ment of these duties in any revision or the tariff
care should be taken TO relieve from taxation as
far practicable, the necessities of the poor,
especially such as do not come into competition
with American production, and at the same time
to afford incidental protection to American
producers, to the end that wages may be
maintained at the American standard, and
America control American markets.
9. We believe that the time has come when the
public debt and rate of interest upon public Sc
curties have been so far reduced that our ma
tonal legislators should consider as an immedi-
ate duty the reduction of the burdens of taxa
ton, and, as an auxiliary thereto, revision of the
tariff
Z. We believe In a rational civil service which
does not create of the official class separate
CASTE nor take away from the citizen the inspira-
ton of participating in the administration of the
gl.alI
be regarded as trusts to be administered with in
telligence, fidelity and economy. and not as spos
to be distributed as personal perquisites of polit-
| ical managers.
g. In The administration of the state and nation
we demand efficiency, integrity and economy;
that unfeithful officers be removed aud punished;
that the public faith and credit be maintained
and the people be provided with circulating me-
dunn, SAFE uniform and constitutional; that mon
opolies dangerous to the liberties of the people
and purity of the laws be dSfavored, and that the
purity of the ballot be sacredy protected
O. II is'a fundamental right of the people to alter
from time to time the organic law of the state as
new circumstances or growing evils may require,
| laying its foundations on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form as to them
shall seem most likely TO effect their safety and
happiness. The evils of intenperance have be-
come so great that, in the name of patriotism,
most efficient measures ought to be taken to re-
duce those evils to u minimum, and as members
OF no political party are wholly agreed as to
whether this can be best done by prohibition or
regulation of the traffic in taxing liquors. and as
the people are and ought TO be final arbitrators
of this question, and as more than hundred
thousand among the moral and intelligent peo-
pie OF the state have asked by petition that that
question be put to the people by submission to
them of a prohibitory constitutional amendment,
we declare that we believe that it would be wise
and patriotic for the next legislature to submit
such amendment to the direct vote OF the people,
and we demand that it be so submitted
10. The Republicans of Michigan demand full
legislative investigation of the transportation
question with view to securing such legislative
enactments as will prevent unjust determinations
in rates by railroad lines operating in the state.
IL. During the twenty weight years in which the
affairs of the state havebeen administered by the
Republican party they have been conducted in a
manner to challenge the approval of all citizens
Efficiency, integrity and economy have been the
standards of service. The prosperity of the state
has Dse as from to
Wealth and production have increased in greater
ratio. Unfortunates have been cared for, educa-
| ton fostered, the public debt has been snbstan,
from the stain OF Democratic reputation and
raised TO the highest point while In the great
struggle for liberty and union Michigan has been
second to none OF her sister states.
IL. The administration of David II. Jerome has
been characterized by aRepublican standard OF
excellence, and has continued the long roll Of
honor upon the state of Michigan.
10. We arraign the Democratic party as the
same incapable Bourbon party that 1t has ever
been Passing over its shameful record before,
during and directly after the civil war, its recent
history proves that 1t has neither repented nor
reformed. During the six years of supremacy in
congress It showed itself incapable of a single
great measure of Legislative or administrative
form. Neither tariff, currency, revenue, civil
service, army, Indian policy, or any other great
interest has received Improvement at its hands.
They confined their efforts at reform to
turning out Union soldiers TO make room
for rebels, TO usurping executive pre-
rogatiyes refusing necessary appropriations,
and obstructng the administration of laws.
At the last congressional election they
stole numerous seats in the house of representa-
tives 10y the fraud OF tissue ballots and false
counting, and as party endorsed the fraud by
keeping the stolen seats after the fraud was
made clear. They INSTRUCTED legislation against
polygamy, opposed the tariff commission, and TO
the last refused to cooperate for the reduction
of taxation BY their whole history they prove
their ncapacty for leadership of q great people.
IL. We denounce the recent amalgamation Of
Democrats and Greenbackers as the most shame
less political bargain and sale In the history Of
Michigan politics. lt conclusively proves that
they have no principles that they were not ready
to barter for the spoils OF Office. We cordially i'm
vite all citizens of whatever party heretofore,
who value principle, who object TO being bar
gained and sold like sheep, and who are In sub
stantial accord with the foregoing declaration of
principles, TO cooperate with us In putting the
brand Of disapproval upon political prostitution.