The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1910-11-05

Minority Representation.
IL. We favor an amendment to the
constitution abolishing the system OF
minority representation.
IL. We favor an amendment to the
constitution providing for the initia-
tive and referendum.
10. We favor the amendment Of
the commission form Of government
act in reference to the number of
electors required to sign petitions for
recall and to make it In harmony
with similar provisions in the enact
ments of other States.
IA. We favor an amendment to the
federal constitution to enable electors
| to vote directly for United States sem
ators and to request our representa-
| tives in Congress to do all within
| their power to bring about such con-
| stitutional amendment.
Denounce Corruption.
| Is. We denounce the corruption
that has been exposed in the last
| General Assembly and demand the
| most rigid investigation thereof by
grand juries and courts; we favor the
exhaustive investigation of the
charges which have been made and
punishment where guilt is proven.
16. We denounce the bipartisan
combination of sixty Democrats and
twenty-four Republicans which con-
trolled the legislative machinery Of
the House of Representatives in the
last General Assembly, and disavow
any party responsibility therefor. We
demand that all Republican members
of the General Assembly shall enter
the regular caucuses of the Repub-
lican party for their respective
branches of the General Assembly
and be bound by the action of the
majority thereof in reference to party
matters; and we define party matters
to be, the election of Speaker of
the House Of Representatives, the
creation of the legislative machinery
in each branch of the General Assem-
bly,, the election of United States
Senator, the congressional and sena-
torial appointments, and the enact
ment of laws to which the party
stands pledged by its platform.
Amend Legislative Rules.
IT. We favor such amendment of
the rules governing both branches of
the General Assembly as will take
from the presiding officers thereof
the power to control the course of
legislation and prevent the discussion
OF bills and vote thereon. There
is an insistent and increasing demand
in our State for the enactment of
laws which will prevent the few who
are not content with fair dealing from
securing undue advantage either
through the violation of laws or the
enactment of legislation giving them
special privileges and undue adyan-
tages, or by the defeat of the passage
Oh wholesome legislation, through the
corruption of public servants. Every
legitimate business interest and the
public welfare demand that the cor
rupt relations between those who seek
privileges and to avoid equal burdens
through corrupt alliances with public
officials should cease.
Commends state Officers.
10. We commend the efficiency
with which the various branches of
the public business have been admin
istered by the state officers elected
by the people. The public business
has been transacted promptly and ef-
ficiently and to the satisfaction of
those who have had to deal with the
various State departments.
10. We favor liberal appropriations
for the promotion of the study of ag-
riculture, to the end that the fer
tility of the soil with which our State
is blessed may not be diminished or
exhausted as in other States or. coun-
tries.
20. We favor liberal appropriations
for those commissions and depart
ments of the State University which
have to do with the study of problems
connected with our agriculture, min
ing and other productive industries.
We favor the Strengthening of the
graduate school of the University of
iiliiiOib do tbC ooohos cSiObtihS UeASA~
of all these and other departments to
the end that the University may be-
come still more fully the scientific
arm of the State government. Illinois
has taken an advanced position In
this movement and should maintain
it's leadership in this regard.
State Control Plank.
81. We demand that while the crea-
ton of normal corporations should be
left to the States, we are in favor of
empowering the general government.
by a constitutional provision. to pre-
vent and suppress monopolies by APP
propriate legislation.
%. We commend the movement
looking to the formation of Repub-
lican clubs throughout the nation as
outlined by the National League of
Republican Clubs.
%. The Republican party has al
ways stood for liberal pensions to the
soldiers and sailors of the nation. We
therefore commend prompt amend