The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-19
THE PLATFORM.

Resolued l. That the democratic party Of the
of Illinois, in convention assembled, reaffrm
the great principles which are the foundation Of
free government, among which are equal rights TO
al and exclusive privileges to none protection of
eeual taxation. free speech a free press, free
schools, and first of all free and incorruptbe bal
? That we favor honest reform for the civil ser
vice. and denounce the extortion of large sums of
control elections as the most threatening as IL Is the
most insiduous, danger that besets a free govern
the national republican comfnlttee ana Dy tiie re-
publican reputation coalition in Virginia, eyinces
the utter abandonment of principle and meets our
unqualified condemnation
and profigacy 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 over those
of the past year made by democratic congress TO
the enormous extent of S7S .001
T. 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 charac-
terisic OF British rule Ireland, love of lib
erty which is unparalleled in history and sheds
ray of glory upon the Irish national Character
mending IL To the respect, admiration and support
of reedom-loying people throughout the world.
5. That it IS incumbent upon our government to
protect is citizens native born and naturalized at
home and abroad. and we denounce and condemn
the present republican administration for its neglect
of duty toward those lately imprisoned as suspects
ia the jas of Ireland by the arbitrary action of the
British government.
b. That favor OF reduction OF federal
taxation 10 the lowest point consistent with the
wants of the government under an honest and eco
nornical administration of its affairs and that such
taxes be adjusted as to secure an equitable dis
tribution 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 a 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 unforu
charge The various radical state officials
rounded by numbers of unnecessary clerks and at
PENDANTS, whose salaries paid from the state
treasury. The humiliating spectacle is presented
OF the governor OF the state saving IN ms animal
10 pay all the expenses of the state for two years,
aud the same governor approving bills passed by
the republican legislature appropriating nearly 81.
oO0.000 for such expcl-@-: arA fsst large fund
ceved annually fIolA the Illinois Central Railroad
company under the wise provisions Of law enacted
by a democratic legislature. instead Of being utf
lied TO relieve the people from taxation, has been
misused as stimulus to increased taxation.
8 That the offices OF the warehouse and railroad
commissioners, filed by the appointment of
the governor, should be filed by election by the
people.
g. That we demand revision of the present nm
just. and IN many respects prohibitory tariff which
is framed in the interest of capital and while it IA
and fosters iniquitous Inonopolies. is unjust
and oppressive the 1aboring in all the walks
of life The constitution confers congress the
power to raise revenue by duties imports, and
Just and proper exercise OF that power we favor
tariff based on the principle of revenue, which viii
deal justly with existing business relations and with
all Legitimate industries, and at the time dis
courage monOpoies and remove the burdens impos
ed by the present tariff upon all the laboring people
of the country, and hereby declare that there is
no power given by the constitution 10 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 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
~ of such laws to prevent correct the evils of
ciety growing of abuses in the of intoxicat
ing liquors. the convention declares that it is not the
legitimate province of government to control the
habits, tastes appettes and liberties of the people
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 spirituous malt liquors would
be in violation of individual and personal rights and
contrary the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent.
II. That appeal to the people of this state,
without regard former political affiliations.
unite with at the coming election in carrying
into effect the foregoing principles