The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-06
THE PLATFORM.

ResOsoed. 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 are equal rights to
all and exclusive privileges 10 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 incorruptibe bal
2. That favor honest reform for the civil SER
vice, and denounce the extortion of large sums of
money from oftceholders TO corrupt the ballot and
control elections the most threatening, asst is the
most insiduous danger that besets free govern
ment, and the shameless resort to such methods by
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican Republication coalition in Virginia, eyinces
the utter abandonment OF principle and meets our
g. That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and pE0igaey 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 over those
the enormous extent of S?S,00O0O0.
4. That 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 to obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon and all other infamous appliances charac
terstic of British rule over Ireland, love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds
ray of glory upon the Irish national character, COM
mending it to the respect admiration and support
of freedom loving people throughout the world.
>. That II Is incumbent upon our government TO
protect its citizens native born and naturazed at
home and abroad, and we denounce and condemn
the present republican administration for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
IN the ais OF Ireland by the arbitrary action of 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
nomica administration of its affairs, and that such
taxes be so adjusted as TO secure equitable dis
tribution OF these burdens.
z. The Republican party of the state has proved
false to the pledges 1t 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
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 are
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 sum of $4,000, 600 would be ample
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican Legislature approprating nearly 81,
lor suGn ana tne iarge Iana re
celVed 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 to increased taxation.
8 That the offices Of the warehouse and rriiroad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment OF
the governor, should be filled by election by the
people.
8. That we demand a revision of the present I'M
just and in many respects prohibitory tariff, which
is framed in the interest of capital and while it
and fosters ubiquitous monopoies is unjust
and oppressive to the laboring man in all the walks
of life. The constitution confers congress the
power to raise revenue by duties on imports and as
just and proper exercise of that power favor
tariff, 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 laborng people
of the country and hereby declare that there is
no power given by the constitution to congress to
levy tariff or tax on 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 conceding
the right of the people to amendment, if necessa
ry of such laws to prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing of abuses in the of intoxeat-
ing liquors. the convention declares that is not the
legitimate province of government TO control the
habits tastes, appetites and liberties of the people
so long as they are peaceabe and orderly, and do
not encroach the rights of Others of society
and therefore declare that the prohibition by the
constitution or 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
erRment.
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.