Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-29

convention at the Illinois theatre Sat
urday wound up with the adoption Of
the resolutions which follow. and
which like the other proceedings were
cooked up and seasoned in advance.
The convention was q towering sue
cess only IN that the program ar.
ranged by the promoters, H. W. Coop
er. Frank Gates Allen, DIR. F. A.
Smith, s. ]. Collins and Charles Har-
ris, was carried through without a
hitch. There were not more than 100
souls present as participating in the
proceedings, and little interest was
manifest from the standpoint Of spec
tators. A few sauntered in and then
sauntered out again. AS conventions
go. the affair was a midsummer frost
Here are the resolutions:
We, the members of the progressive
party Of Rock Island county. in mass
convention assembled. announce our
platform, 10 the end that all may
know the principles for which We
stand, as follows:
We denounce as fraudulent the ac-
tion of the republican national con-
yention in Chicago in unseating duly
and properly elected delegates, thus
overriding the will Of the majority.
Such procedure is contrary to free
and popular government. AS free
men in a free country we cannot re-
gard its action binding upon any citi-
zen. When the fountain itself is pol
luted how can the stream that flows
Il l. IL
We believe It absolutely necessary
for the continuance OF the life OF our
ration as a republic that the will of
the majority OF the people shall pre-.
vail and that the people constitute the
majority Of all, shall govern, not be
governed; that the people shall rvle
not the bosses.
We believe that our glorious herit
age OF freedom and equal rights for
all is imperiled by the rule of the
bosses; that such rule is but a steI
from an oligarchy. the most harm
full and the most despicable of al
forms of government.
We believe that boss rule wher
Joined with special interests and
predatory wealth. end such union Ii
snevitable in me final outcome-it
permitted TO continue, will not only
destroy the vitality and the very life
blood OF our nation but will also de
prive us OF our rights and liberty al
free men. The ills arising from sucf
n union are manifold and far reach
sing; they are linked in greater e
lesser degree with all the economic
and industrial problems OF the age
Divorce this union and more equitable
and just laws will follow. We demand
their absolute divorce now and To-
all time TO come.
We favor direct nominations by tht
people OF presidential nominees TO tn,
end that the will of the majority o
the people in each party shall prevail
in such nominations.
We favor the initiative TO the en-,
that II the people desire certain law
they shall have the privilege OF pre-
posing them for acceptance.
We favor the referendum TO the en-
that II the people do not desire Gel
tain laws they shall have the privi
age OF rejecting them.
We favor the recall OF judicial d.
clsions relating to constitutional quei
lions for the reason that the peopl
have the inherent right 10 pass o
such questions; avoiding thus ais
the usurpation by judges of legisl'
tive functions
We favor the extension OF the POI
tai savings bank system.
We r
and ownership OF express and tel,
graph service.
We favor sound currency and SAT
banking methods. Our monetary sy
ten which has been in force for MOI
than go years with those changes Oui
which the war period necessitatet
and which has not kept pace with III
needs and requirements OF our mo-
ern growth and development, can an
should be revised TO make II strong,
and bettsr and TO avoid periodical r
curing financial crises, so terribl
disastrous alike to wage earners ar
business interests. But such revisic
must be fairly and properly made
prevent banking monopoly and Il
Capitalization of money power in n
hands OF the few. No change shou
be made which will impair the ind
pCrdence OF either our national
state banks. Competition in bankir
is an absolute requisite for gener
prosperity.
We favor the enactment OF prop
laws which will prevent the issuan,
Of watered stock or inflated bond VI
ues by either private or pub &c Sc
vice corporations.
We favor a workman's compens
ton act which shall be clear ana or
cifc in terms and reasonable in Der
FITS conferred 10 the end that SIN,
as well as large employers in hazar
Gus lines OF industry can proper
bear this burden. thus providing {
the general good OF all, employees a.