The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-11
THE PLATFORM.

ReSolred, /. That the democratic party of the
state of Illinois, in convention assembled, reaffirm
the great principles which are the foundation of
free government among which equal rights to
al and exclusive privileges to none, protection of
the weak against the entertainments of the strong.
equal taxation, free speech, free press, free
schools and first of all free and incompatible bal
2. That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice. and denonnce the extortion of large of
money from office holders to corrupt the ballot and
control elections the most threatening is the
most insiduous, danger that besets a 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
tne inter abandonment OF principle and meets orr
3: That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and proigacy of the republican party in the appro
praton Of the public treasurey as manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
appropriations for the current fiscal year those
of the past year made by a democratic congress TO
the enormous extent OF $500 O,00O
q. That we extend our heartiest sympathy TO the
Irish people in the struggle their rights in which
they are now engaged, and recognize in their per
slstent efforts obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon and all other infamous appliances charae
teristic of British rule Ireland, love of lib
erty winch Is unparalleled in history, and sheds a
ray OF glory upon the Irish national character
mendingit 10 the respect, admiration and support
OF freedom-lovin people throughout the world
D. That IL ls incumbent upon government to
protect its citizens, native born and naturalzed at
nome ana abroad and we denounce and condemn
the present republican for its neglect
OF duty toward those lately imprisoned as SUSPECTS
IN the Jails OF Ireland by the arbitrary action of the
9. 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
nomca1 administration of its affairs and that such
taxes be so adjusted to secure equitable dis
triDutlon 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 the state |
the taxes for the past year have been one third |
greater than tn the preceding year. The various |
boards or the state institutions have been used |
more to advance the interests of the republican
party than for the care and comfort of the unforu
nate men, women and children commitfed To their
FafIOuS radical a1S -,1p
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
tendants' 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 81 600 900 would be ample
TO pay all the expenses of the for two wears
ana the same governor approving bills passed by
OOO,O00 for such expenses; and the large fund re
ceived annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of law enacted
Dy democratic legislature, instead of being util-
1zed to relieve the people from taxation, has been
mlsused as stimulus to increased taxation.
commissioners, now filed by the appointment of |
the governor, should be filled by election by the
~ That we demand q revision of the present I'M |
just, and in many respects prohibitOry tariff which
yors and fosters ubiquitous monopoies is unjust
and oppressive to the laboring man in all the walks
power TO raise revenue by duties imports and "a
q inst and proper exercise of that power we favor
5arlIi, based on the principle of revenue, which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
Oil legitimate Industries, and the same time dis
courage Inonopoiles and remove the burdens mpos
ed by the present tariff upon all the Iaboring people
oI the country and we hereby declare that there is
ho power gwen by the constitution to congress to
levy tariff or tax on the people for the purpose of
without reference to revenue.
~ mat while We have no purpose to interfere
with just laws in force in Illinois the regulation
OF the traffic in intoxicating liquors. and concednr
me right OF the people to an amendment if necessa
~ OF such laws to prevention the evils of So
slety growing out of abuses in the intoxicat
ng liquors. the convention declares that not the
egitimate province of government to control the |
habits, tastes appetites and liberties the people
70 long as they are peaceable and orderly and do
1ot encroach upon the rights of others of society
md we therefore declare that the prohibition by the
or by general laws of the manufacture
'r sale OF v1nous spirituous malt liquors wonld
'e In violation of individual and personal rights and
rnment.
II That we appeal to the people of this state, i
R1thont regard to former political affiliations
mite with at the coming election in carrying |
nto effect the foregoing principles.