The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-03
THE prATFoRM.

ResoIued, l. That the democratic party of the
the great principles which are the foundation OF
free government, among which are equal rights to
a. aad encraschmens Of the srone
equal taxation, free speech, a free press. free
schools, and first OF all free and incorruptihle bal
lot.
2. That we favor honest reform for the civil SER
vice, and denognce the extortion OF large sums OF
money from Office holders to corrupt the ballot and
control elections the most threatening as is the
most insiduons, danger that besets free govern
ment and the shameless resort TO such methods by
the national republican committee, ana by the re-
publican reputation coalition in Virginia. evinces
the utter abandonment OF principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
and profieacy of the republican party in the appro
priation of the public treasurey manifested during
the last Of the
of the past year made by democratic congress TO
the enormous extent of $76 OO0. 00l
l. That extend heaFtiest sympathy to the
Irish people in the struggle for their rights in which
they are now engaged and resogniae Their per sh
dungeon and all other Infamous appliances charae-
sefstS 81 b 81 rue gis o g oa S
ray OF glory upon the IRISH national character Com
mendingit to the respect admiration and support
of freedom loving people throughout the world.
8 That It Is incumbent upon our government to
protect ts citizens native born and at
the present republican administration for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
British government.
s. 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
nomicaT administration of its affairs and that such
taxes be so adjusted as 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 The people
With not cent of bonded debt against the state,
the taxes for the past year have been third
boards OF the state institutions hayN been used
more to advance the interests % the repu blican
party than for care and comfort 81 the unfortu
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge. The various radical state officials
dad hy lNprS af
PENDANTS, whose salaries paid from the state
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
message that the of So, 900 900 would be ample
to pay all the expenses of the state for two yesfs
eId the same governor approving bills passed sfg
the republican legislature appropriating nearly 81
ceived annually fIom The Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of a law enacted
by democratic legislature, instead of being util-
misused as a stimulus to increased axati6ns
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 =
is framedin interest capital and while it Ia
and oppressive to the iaborine man mall the vain
of hfe.s The constitution confers on congress the
power to raise revenue by duties imports, and as
just and proper exercise of that power favor a
tariff, based the principle of revenue, which will
all legitimate industries, and at the time dis
courage monopolies and remove the burdens impos-
of the Country anwe Merely deeIars that esDPis
no power given by the constitution TO congress I'd
levy tariff tax on the people for the purpose of
protection without reference to revenue.
10. That while we have purpose to interfere
with just laws in force in Illinois fort regulation
of the traffic in intoxicating liquors. and colfceding
the right of the people toa amendment. If necessa-
ryof such laws TO prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of ntoxicat-
ing liquors. the convention declares that it is the
legitimate province of governments control the
habits tastes, appetites and liberties the people
SO long as they are peaceabie and orderly, and do
not encroach upon the rights of others orof society,"
and we therefore declare that the prohibition by the
constitution or 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.
II That we appeal to the people of this state,
without regard to former political affiliations to
unite with at the coming eaection IN carving
sintesffect the foregoing principles