The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-17
THE PLATFORM.

ASSOGGG0, j.
state of Illinois, in convention assembled, reafarm
the great principles which are the foundation OF
free government among which are equal rights to
all and exclusive privileges to none protection OF
the weak against the encroachments of the strong
equal taxation, Tree speech, free press free
schools and first of all free and ineorruptiole 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 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 Reputation coalition in Virginia, evinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
g. That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and profigacy of the republican party in the appro
pration of the public reasurey 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 $TS.OO0,000.
4. 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 30 obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon and all other infamous appliances chsrac-
teristic of British rule over Ireland, love of lib
ray of glory upon the Irish national character com
mendingit to the respect, admiration and support
of freedom-loying people throughout the world
5. That it is incumbent upon government to
protect it's citizens, native born and nauralized, at
the present republican administration its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned suspects
IN the as of Ireland, by the arbitrary action Of the
British government.
6. 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
nomical administration of its affairs, and that such
taxes be adjusted TO secure equitable dis
tribution OF these burdens.
Z. The Republican party of the state has proved
false to the pledges it has made to to the people.
With not cent of bonded debt against tho 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 unforfu
nate men, women and children committed to their
YariOUS Officials
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
OF the governor of the state saying in his annual
message that the sum of s., 100000 wonld be ample
to pay all the expenses of the state for two years,
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican legislature approprating nearly 81,
ceived annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of alaw enacted
by democratic legislature, instead of being util
lied to relieve the people fr0m taxation, has been
misused stimulus to increased taxation.
s. That the offices of the warehouse and rBilrOad
commissioners, now filed by the appointment OF
the governor, should be filed by election by the
people.
9. That we demand revision of the present un-
just and in many respects prohibtory tariff, which
is framed in the interest of capital and while it ia
vors and fosters ubiquitous nonopoIies is unjust
and oppressive to the aboring 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
tar1, based ON the principle OF revenue, which viii
deal Justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries, and at the 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 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 an amendment, il neeessa
ry of such laws to prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of ntoxicat
ing liquors, the convention declares that the
legitimate province OF government to control the
habits, tases appetites and liberties of the people
so long as they are peaceable and orderly, and do
not encroach upon the rights of others of society,"
and we 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
IL. 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.