Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-11-03

| vcntion Of the Democratic party of IL
linois cOngratelates the Democracy OF
the state and the whole country upon
the brilliant prospects of victory in the
coming congressional and presidential
election. Accommodating evidence of Re
publican extravaganza, duplicity. and
| inetficiency produces the overthrow of
that party in the state and nation, the
people are turning again to the party
of Jefferson ard of Jackson and Of
! Bryan for the relief from corruption
that affects many branches of our gov
eminent and congressional evils that
may be still worse in their conse-
quences.
Plea Charitable Institutions.
We believe the unfortunate inmates
of state charitable institutions deserve
the kindest and most acreful and
most humane treatment the state can
| give TO them. During the last two
months we have had revealed cOndl-
tons in our state institution shocking
to the best sense Of our people.
The Republican administration has
given us a civil service law that is the
mereSt shadow of pretense. applicable
|
and TO only Il part Of the employees
therein. and the governor who pre-
tended To advocate it as a friend Of the
merit system sat UP until midnight OF
the day before il became = law to block
its purpose by filling every possible
place of appOintees to hold their places
without examination.
$50 Called Primary Law"
The Republican administration of
shan reform caused TO be expended
So. 600 of the peoples money TO pass
ana $4,000 more to put in effect its
so-calIed primary election law, and
| such Il traveSty ii is.
BY majority of more than 100000
the people of Illinois voted two years
ago for Il direct primary law which
would enable Il citizen 10 vote directly
for the nomination of candidates
whom he wished nominated by his par
ty. In the face of this direct and over
wholmiH@cS expression Of the peoples VIII
and in defiance of their own specific
promise, made in their state platform
of 1901. 10 give the people a direct pri-
mary law. the Republicans shirkcd
their duty in the regular session Of the
general assembly and passed coward
makeshift that was declared uncon-
stitutional.
Then. after putting the people to the
expense of a special session ana bring
Ing forth such a mockory Of Il primary
law that it was on its passage de-
ncunced 10y the Republican lieutenant
governor Of the state as Il double
headed disaster" that puts ~ premium
on %crrymanderS ana dCadlOCkS." re-
suits have proved it. IT is n law to
put tho control of nominations in the
hands of political machines and COM
pels the voter to disclose his politics
andthc reby destroys the secrecy of
the ballot and wholly DISTINGUISHES the
independent voters in nominating con
ventiOnS.
Bank Supervision Farce.
State examination and supervision Of
state banks, under the Republican adj
miniStration. have become farce.
Without restraint, ana apparently with
ont fear of it, plausible adYcntUrers
prey upon the confidence and squander
the sIvinCof the thrifty poor. and bring
upon orr communities disaster. suffer
ing. and desperation. and suicide.
We pledge the Democratic members
Of the next general assembly, I'm ernest
effort.
To make the state civil service law
n fact rs we'll as Il name. Il law appli-
cable TO all branccs Of the state gov
eminent. and all employees thereof.
To the enactment of a law that will
honestly extend the merit system To |
cover al employees Of all the Offices of
Cook county ana all branches of the /
county service.
To the enactment of Il direct primary
law that will lie an exact. direct pri- I
mary law. and not a "doxble headed /
disaster" TO IN enactment that will |
correct and prevent the abuses that /
prevail in our state institutions under /
the Republican administration If such F.
abuses possibly can be reached by law. /
To the enactment of a state banking |
law that will provide sufficient super /
vision Of. and will prevent the looting ]
Of. the funds accumulated by the |
thrifty.
Revision of Tariff Demanded.
We believe that American citizens !
are entitled to the best fruits Of Amcri- /
cam enterprise and we condemn in I'M |
measured terms the present Republic |
All system of cXhorting tributes from
the people Mt home by means Of unjust |,
tariff laws, so that foreigners may en- !
JOY American products at Il cheaper 1
price than our own people.
To the end of this system which ]
rosters the inlquitous trusts ana COM |
binatiOns that are controlling legisla- |
ton through the Republican party we
demand a careful and business-like re-
vision of existing tariff rates by the |
friends of the people, and not by the |
friends of the system, to point where |
the revenues viii meet the expenses |
of the government honestly and econ
omically administered.