The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-26
THE PLATFORM.

ResoLge1 l. That the democratic party of the
state of Illinois, in convention assembled, reaInrm
free government, among which are equal rights TO
all and exclusive 10 f6 stron o.
equal taxation, free speech, a free press, ffee
schools and first of all free and 1ncorruptlble pal
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 it is the
most insiduous. danger that besets free govern
the natonaI republican committee, and by the re-
publican Reputation coalition in Virginia. evinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
3 That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and profgacy 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 over those
OF the past year made by democratic congress to
the enormous extent of 7S,0OO,0O0.
a. That we extend our heartiest sympathy to the
Irish people in the struggle for their rights in which
they now engaged, and recognize In their per
sistent efforts TO obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon and all other Infamous appliances charae-
terstic of British rule over Ireland, love OF lid
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
s. That it is incumbent upon our government TO
protect its citizens native born and naturahzed at
home and abroad, and we denounce and condemn
the present republican Tor IT'S neglect
of duty toward those 3ately imprisoned 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
nomical administration of its affairs and that such
taxes be adjusted as to secure equitable dis
tributon of these burdens
z The Republican party of the state has proved
false to the pledges has made TO to the people.
With not a cent of bonded debt against the state,
the taxes for the past year have been one-thrd
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 the care and comfort of the unfortu
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge. The various radical state officials are sur
ronndeu Dy numbers OF unnecessary CLERKS ana at
PENDANTS, whose salaries paid from the state
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
OF the governor OF the state saving In MS annual
message that the sum of 80 900 600 would be ample
tepay all the expenses of the state for two years,
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican Legislature appropriating nearly 81.
OO0.OO0 for such expenses; and the large fund re
ce1ved annually from the Illinois Central ha1lroad
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 a stimulus to increased taxation.
s. That the offices of the warehouse and rBilroad
commissioners now filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filled by election by the
g. That we demand a revision of the present uI-
just. and in many respects prohbitory tariff, which
is framed in the interest of capital and while it ia
yors and fosters iniouitous Inonopolies is unjust
and oppressive the laboring man in all the walks
of life. The constitution confers on congress the
power to raise revenue by duties imports, and as
just and proper exercise of that power we favor
tariff, based the principle of revenue, which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
courage monopolies and remove the burdens impos-
ed by the present tariff upon all the aboring people
of the country. and hereby declare that there is
no power given by the constitution to congress TO
levy tariff the people for the purpose of
protection without reference to revenue.
TO- That while we have no purpose to interfere
with just laws in in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in Intoxicating liquors. and concedfng
the right of the people to an amendment, If necessa
ry of such laws prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of intoxicat
ing liquors. the convention declares that it not the
legitimate province of government to control the
habits, tastes appetites and liberties of the people
long 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
sale of yinOus, spirituous malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights, and
contrary 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 at the coming election in carrying
into effect the foregoing principles.