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

RESOLVED, /. That the democratic party of the
state of Illinois. in convention assembled, reairm
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, free speech, free press, free
schools, and first Of all free and incorruptible bal
lot.
2. That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice, and denonnce the extortion of large sums of
money from otficehoderS TO corrupt the ballot and
control elections the most threatening it is the
most insduous danger that besets free govern
ment, and the shameless resort to such methods by
the national republican committee, and by the
publican Reputation coalition in Virginia. evinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
3. That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and proiigacy 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 $7Ss000. 900.
4. That 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 obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon and all other infamous appliances charac-
teristic of British rule Ireland love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds
ray of glory upon the Irish national character COM
mendng it to the respect, admiration and support
of freedom-Ioving people throughout the world.
& THAT il is incumbent uDon our government tn
protect its citizens native born and naturalized
home and abroad, and We denounce and condemn
the present republican administration for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned suspects
IN the ails of Ireland by the arbitrary action of the
British government.
o. TnaI 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 10 secure equitable dis
tributon 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 care and comfort of the unfortu
charge The various radical state officials
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and NJ
PENDANTS, whose salaries paid from the state
treasury. The humiliatng spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saving in his annual
message that the of 81, 900, 600 would be ample
TO pay all the expenses of the state for two years,
and the same governor approving bills passed by
600, coo for such expenses; and the large fund re
ceived annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of u law enacted
by democratic legislature, instead of being util-
lied to relieve the people from taxation, has been
m1snsed as a stimulus to increased taxation
8. That the offices of the warehouse and rUilroad
now filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filled by election by the
people.
g. That we demand revision of the present un-
just, and in many respects prohibitory tariff, which
Is framed IN the interest OF capital and while it ia
vors and fosters ubiquitous 1nonopOlies 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
just and proper exercise of that power we favor a
tariff based on the principle of revenue which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries, and at the same time dis
mOnOpOlies and remove the burdens impSs-
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 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
y OF such laws to prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of ntoxicat
ing liquors. the convention declares that is not the
legitimate province of government to control the
habits tastes, appettes and liberties of the people
20 long 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
Dr. sale of vinOus spiritnous malt liquors would
De in violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary to the fundamental principles of free gov
ernment.
II. That we appeal to the people of this state, |
without regard to former political affiliations to
mite with us at the coming election in carrying
INTO effect the foregoing principles