The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1892-06-17
THE FIRST GUN.

The Peoples Party of Illinois Holds Its
State Convention and Formulates Plat
form.
The peoples party of the state of Illi-
nois held it's state convention at DAN
vile May 10 and adopted the following
platform:
The peoples party of the state OF Illinois,
through it's regularly elected delegates as
sembled in convention at Danville, makes this
official declaration of it's principles purposes
and demands:
Resolved That we affirm the declaration of
principles adopted by the ST Louis conference
of February O. and pledge our entire loyalty to
it.
Resolved, That we demand the immediate
and condign punishment of all officials who
shall attempt to interfere with the oonstitu-
tional right OF free speech, free press or free
public aSSemblage
adequate laws providing for the actual attend
ance in school of all children Of school age for
term not less than four months Of each year,
and to this end we are in favor Of free text
books
Resolved That we condemn and denounce
those hard and oppressive conditions Of life
produced by unjust laws which drive men
to crime and then use their labor to crush
out honest industry and we charge both
the old parties with directly cOnniving at a
fragrant and open violation Of the amendment
to the constitution overwhelmingly adopted by
the people forbiddfng contracts for convict
labor and recognizing the cruelty OF con1ne-
ment OF men without employment. Therefore
we demand that all convicts in this state here
after be employed in the winter months in pre-
pairing material for, and in the summer months
in making, permanent roads and other state
Improvements, and we further demand that all
railroads in this state be required by law to
vio1 TOO
actual cost Of transportation.
Resolved, That we condemn in unmeasured
terms the practice Of both republican and demo-
cratic officers OF the state in appropriating the
interest on the public funds to their own pri.
vate uses, and demand that Accommodations Of
all state funds be covered into the treasury.
Resolved, That our state constitution be so
amended as to permit the enforcement Of the
law providing for weekly pay day and the
abolition Of the truck store system
Resolved, That we demand that the legisla-
ture submit to a vote Of the people as sepa-
rate issue the subject Of an amendment to tho
state constitution allowing to women the full
right of suffrage.
Resolved, That our present system OF minor
ity representation falls far short Of the object
sought to be attained by the same, and VIC
recommend the favorable consideration Of the
quota system Of representation to the people Of
this state.
NCSOlNCC- Audt VIC VOuuCLuA LuC CAVOE IiOuo VI
the corporation known as the Union stockyardS
OF Chicago, and we condemn the existence by
law Of boards Of trade that deal in options
the necessaries Of life, and demand that they
be abolished
Resolved, That we denounce the projected in
crease OF the regular army and regard the for
nation OF permanent forts and garrisons near
the great centers Of population as a menace to
our free institutions.
Resolved, That We recognize In the employ
ment Of private standing armies in the interest
Of corporations and great monopolies serious
menace to the liberties Of the people, and de-
mand that the PinkeYton and like forces be dis
banded.
The planks in regard to the school
question and women suffrage were par
ticularly well received, and the plat
form as read was adopted.
N. M. Barnett, of Hallsville, De-
Witt county, president of the State
Assembly Farmers Mutual Benefit as
ISOLATION, was nominated by acclama-
ton. The ticket was completed as fol-
lows: Lieutenant-Governor, Charles G.
Dixon, of Chicago; secretary of state,
Frederick G. Blood, of Mount Vernon;
state treasurer, J. w. McElroy, of Rose
mond, Christian county; attorney-gen-
eral, Jesse Cox, of Chicago; auditor of
public accounts S. c. Hill, of Martins
vile, Clark county; trustees of Illinois
university, Samuel A. Graham of
Springfield, A. M. Smith of South Chi
cago, Alexander Platt of Jacksonville;
congressman at large, Lester G. Hub
bard of Chicago, Jesse Harper of Dam
Chicago Herald.
There have been organized 372
Farmers Alliances within 100 days in
Iowa. They all will be found with the