The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-09
THE PLATFORM.

Res0lged, /. That the democratic party of the
state of Illinois, in convention assembled reaffrH
the great principles which the foundation Of
free government, among which are equal rights tt
all and exclusive privileges to none protection Of
the weak against the encroachments of the strong
equal taxation, free speech, free press, free
schools, and first of all free and incorruptibe bal
lot.
2. That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice, and denounce the extortion of large sums OF
money from iceholders TO corrupt the ballot anC
control elections the most threatening as it is the
most insiduous, danger that besets a free govern
the national republican committee, and by the re
publican Reputation coalition in Virginia, cyinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets oul
unqualified condemnation.
g. That we denOunce the reckless extravaganza
and prohigacy of the republican party in the appro
priation 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 S7S,0OO,O0O
4. That we extend our heartiest sympathy to the
Irish people in the struggle for their rights in which
sistent efforts 10 obtain their freedom despite the
terstic of British rule Ireland, love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history. and sheds a
ray of glory upon the Irish national character,
mending it to the respect, admiration and support
of freedom-lOving people throughout the world.
5. That it is incumbent npon 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
IN the ails of Ireland by the arbitrary action of the
British government
b. 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
nomcal administration Of its affairs and that such
taxes be adjusted to secure an equitable dis
Z. The Republican party of the state has proved
false to the pledges ii has made to to the people
With not a cent of bonded debt against the state,
the taxes for the past year have been third
greater than tn the Drecedino wear The various
boards Of the state institufiSons have heen nSed
more TO advance the interests of the republican
party than for the care and comfort of the unortu-
70 M md 81 ittaHfn heir
charge. The various radical state officials sur
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries are paid from the state
treasury The humiliating spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saying in his annual
message that the sum of g., 000000 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 appropriating nearly 81,
OoO 900 for such expenses: and the large fund 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.
g. That the offices of the warehouse and railroad
commissioners, now filled by the appointment of
the governor, should be filed by election by the
people.
9. That demand revision of the present I'M
just and in many respects prohibitory tariff which
ls framed in the interest of capital. and while it ia
Vors and fosters ubiquitous monopolies, is unjust
and oppressive to the laborng in all the walks
of life. The constitution c0nfers congress the
power to raise revenue by duties imports, and as
just and proper exercise of that power favor q
tariff, based ON the principle of revenue, which will
all legitimate industries and ut the time dis
courage monopolies and remove the burdens impos-
ed by the present tariff upon all the laboring people
of the country and we 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.
TO- That while we have 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
clety growing out OF abuses IN the use OF ntoXlca-
ing liquors. the convention declares that it is not the
legitimate province of government to control the
habits, tastes, appeties and liberties of the people
80 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 yinous. spirituous 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.