The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-13
THE PLATFORM.

Resolved. 1. That the democratic party OF the
state of Illinois, in convention assembled, reafirm
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 incorruptlble bal
2 That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice. and denounce the extOrtion of large sums OF
money from ofice-holders TO corrupt the ballot and
control elections the most threatening asst 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 evinees
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation
and profigacy of the republican party in the appro
priaion of the public reasurey manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
of the past year made by democratic congress to
the enormous extent of SIS, 000,OO0.
a. That extend our heartiest sympathy to the
Irish people the struggle for their rights in which
they are now engaged, and recognize in their per-
sistent efforts obtain their freedom despite the
dungeon and all other infamous appliances charac-
terstic of British rule Ireland, love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds .
ray of glory upon the Irish national character
mending it TO the respect, admiration and support
of freedom-loving people throughout the world.
5. That 1t Is incumbent upon our government to
protect its citizens, native born and naturazed at
home and abroad, and we denounce and condemn
the present republican administration for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned suspects
in the ls 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 honest and eco
nomica administration of its affairs and that such
taxes be adjusted to secure an equitable dis
tribution of these burdens.
Z. The Republican party of the state has proved
false 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 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 unfortu
nate men, women and children committed TO their
charge. The various radical state officials
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries are paid from the state
treasury The humiliating spectacle is presented
of the governor of the state saying in his annual
message that the sum of 8, 900 COG would be ample
to pay all the expenses of the state for two years,
and the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican Legislature appropriating nearly 81,
00000 for such expenses; and the large fund re-
ceived annually from the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions of law enacted
by democratic legislature, instead of being util-
misrsed as stimulus to increased taxation
y. 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.
just, and in many respects prohbtory tariff, which
is framed in the interest of capital and while it ia
and fosters iniquitous Inonopolies is unjust
and oppressive to the laboring man in all the walks
of life. The constitution confers congress the
power to raise revenue by duties Imports and as
just and proper exercise of that power We favor a
tariff based the principle of revenue, which will
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legltnate industries, ana at the same time dis-
courage monopolies and remove the burdens impos-
ed by the present tariff upon all the laborng people
of the country, and we hereby declare that there is
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 purpose to interfere
with inst laws in force in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in intoxicating liquors. and conceding
the right of the people TO amendment, necessa
ry of such laws prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing out of abuses in the of intoxcat-
ing liquors. the convention declares that it is not the
habits tastes appetites and liberties of the people
so long they 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
or sale of vinous. spirtuous malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary to the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent.
H. 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