The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-18
THE PLATFORM.

Res0Iued, /. That the democratic party of the
state Illinois, in convention assembled, reaffirm
the great principles which 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 incorruptble 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 ii Is the
most insiduous, danger that besets free govern
the national republican committee, and by the re-
publican reputation coalition in Virginia. evinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation.
g. That we denounce the reckless extravaganza
and profigacy of the republican party in the appro
praton of the public reasurey manifested during
the last session of congress, which increased the
appropriations for the current fiscal year over those
Of the past year made by democratic congress to
the enormous extent of SIS, 100000.
4. That extend our heartiest sympathy to the
Irish people in 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 charae-
teristc OF British rule over Ireland, love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history, and sheds a
raw of glory upon the Irish national character
menGing 1t 10 the respect, admiration and support
of freedom-loving people throughout the world.
s. That 1t is incumbent upon our government to
protect its citizens native born and naturalized at
home and abroad and we denounce and condemn
the present republican for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned suspects
in the ails of Ireland by the arbitrary action of the
6. 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
nomcal administration of its affairs and that such
taxes be adjusted as TO secure an equitable dis
tribution of these burdens.
2. 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,
greater than tn the preceding year. The various
boards of the state institutions have been used
party than for the and comfort of the unfortu
nate men, women and children committed to their
charge. The various radical state officials are sur
rounded by numbers OF unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries are paid from the state
treasury. The Illuminating spectacle Is presented
of the governor of the state SAYING IN MS annual
message that the of s., 200 900 would be ample
TO pay oil the expenses ri the state for two years.
and thu guA approving bills passed by
the republican legislature appropriating nearly 81
900, 600 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
lied to relieve the people from taxation has been
misused as q stimulus to increased taxation.
8. That the offices of the warehouse and rsilrosd
commissioners, now filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filed by election by the
people.
just, and in many respects prohbitory tariff, which
is framed in the interest OF capital and while it ia
vors and fosters Ubiquitous lnonopolies is unjust
of life. The constitution confcrs congress the
power to raise revenue by duties on imports and as
Just and proper exercise of that power favor
tariff, based the principle Of revenue, which viii
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all legitimate industries and 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 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 purpose to interfere
with just lawsin force in Illinois for the regulation
of the traffic in Intoxicating liquors, and concedng
the right of the people amendment II necessa-
ry of such laws to prevent or correct the evils of
ciety growing ont of abuses in the of int0xicat
ing liquors. the convention declares that It's not the
legitimate province of government focontrol the
habits tastes, appettes and liberties Of the people
so long they peaceable and orderly. and do
encroach upon the rights of others Of society,
and therefore declare that the prohibition by the
constitution or by general laws of the manufacture
sale of vinous, spirituous or malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary to the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent.
H. That 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.