Year: 1873

!


! We Republicans of Peslslvania in
convention assembled renew our express
sion of confidence in and devotion to the
principles of Republicanism. and declare.


First. That we heartily endorse and
re adopt the Republican National and
State platforms Of 1879.


Second. That the National Admins
tration commands our continued conf
dence, and is entitled, by its promotion
of the best interests and prosperity of
the nation. to the earnest support of the
people.


Third. That the administration Of
Governor Hartranft calls for our warm
est appreciation. During the short time
he has been in the Executive department
he has established State policy which
has justly endeared him to the people of
this Commonwealth and has amply jus-
titled the confidence we have placed in
him.


Fourth. That while earnestly in favor
of constitutional reform, and of such a
revision Of our State constitution as will
make it an effective instrument in pre-
venting and Furnishing the corrupt abuses
that have crept in under the present sys-
tenn, we demand emphaticaIly and espe-
cially that whatever is done or left un-
done, the main purpose Tor which the
Constitutional Convention was called the
absolute prevention of special Legislation
shall be go placed before the people as to
secure their separate and decisive ex-
preston thereon.


Filth. That the reduction of the State
debt from Sill 100000 to sec .O0O.O 900,
the repeal of all State taxes on real es-
tate, the establishment of schools for the
support of soldiers orphans, the main
tenance of our excellent and prosperous
system of common schools, and the es-
tablishment of the policy of paying off
our debt at the rate of $4,000 600 year
together with the generally fiourisbing
condition of our prosperous old Common.
wealth. are evidences that the Republi-
cans during their twelve years control in
Pennsylvania have faithfully administer
ed her affairs. and that the reins of gov
ernment may be safely left in their
hands.


.Si1th. That there should be rigid
economy in the State and National ad-
ministrations, aud the taxes should be
reduced in both as rapidly as consistent
with good management. the maintenance
of the public credit, and certain e1tin-
guishmeut of the State and National
debts.


.SecenM, That the public lands belong
to the people and should be sacredly re-
served for homes for actual settlers, and
we pronounce against all further grants
of these lands to corporations.


Eighth That adequate provision should
be made by law for the protection Of per-
sons engaged in mining and other haz-
ardous forms of labor.


Ninth. That retrenchment is required
to tighten the burden of taxation, and to
continue the reduction of the public
debt, an increase of salaries is unwise,
and we condemn, without reserve, voting
for or receiving increased pay for servi-
ces already rendered, whether in State Or
Nation, and demand that the provisions
Of the late act of Congress, by which
the salaries were increased should prom
pity and Internationally be repealed


Tenth. That we heartily denounce cor
ruption wherever found, and are sincere
ly desirous for honest economy and po-
litical purity in all official administrations.
To secure this is the duty of every citi-
zen. and to this end every good man
should feel bound, not only to participate
in politics but to labor actively to see
that none but good men secure party ap-
pointments or nominations.


EleuenM. That the practice of loading
the appropriation bill, essential to the
support of the Government, with objec-
tionable legislation in the shape of amend
ments towards the close of the session,
is prolific source of abuse and fraud
upon the people and its reform is urgent
ly demanded /; that as the country and
home industry have both uniformly pros
pered under tariff SO arranged as to
afford both revenue and protection, the
prese Mt tariff should be left undisturbed,
and as all tariffs are levied primarily for
revenue, it would be poor government
indeed which could not afford to arrange
its details so as to encourage the growth
of home manufactures and the creation
of remunerative home market for all
the products of our soil.


Thirteenth. That order and security in
the States lately in rebellion must come
through the stern enforcement of laws
enacted to protect life, liberty, and the
freedom of thought, and cannot be aecur-
ed by rendering these just and necessary
laws imperative through Executive ele-
mency to unrepentant assassins now un'
dergoing punishment in pursuance of the
law.


Fourteenth. That as during the time