Year: 1873

THE FARMERS PLATFORM.


The following is the platform adopted
by the Farmers Of Illinois, at the Decatuer
Convention, which met on the 10th and
adjourned on the 10Th inst Particular at
tention IS called to the second. eighth and
ninth esoutions. They have the ring Of
the true metal, and Will be hailed with un-
alloyed pleasure by every true Labor Re
former


WHEREAS, Through the departure from the
primary principles OF our government, as pro-
mulgated by its founders, aud through the
mprudent exercise OF that highest preroga-
tive Of the freeman, the right Of suffrage, the
farmers Of Illinois, III common with the wealth
and food producers OF these United States,
have, through our past action, acquiesced III
system Of class legislation, which makes
the great majority slavishly subservient to a
small minority and


WHEREAS, This condition is clearly tracea-
bic to the fostering protection which has been
accorded by our legislative bodies. both state
and national, to the financial mercantile,
manufacturing and transporting inter
ests, enabling them to accumulate
an undue proportion Of the national
wealth, and encouraging them in the exercise
OF the corrupting lobby Influences which
have become inseperable from our legislative
system; therefore,


Resolved, That the preseryati on Of our
national life imperatively demands that ev-
cry American voter shall attend with care to
all primary nominations and elections. as
70 insure the election Of competent and hon
est men to all offices iu the gift NJ the peo-
pie


Resolved, That thg past record NJ uld po-
htlcal parties Of this country l- such as to
fortei' the confidence and respect of the peo-
PIE, and that we 1rr therefore ahstlved from
all allegiance 90 them, ami viii act no longer
with them.


Resolved. That we demand the uncnudi-
tioual repeal uf the salary grab Law.
the repeal to Dee retroactive IA its ae-
tlon, ami this without restoration " the
frankiuE privilege


Resolved, That We Do not recognize any
necessity that public officers should re-
ceive eNtrava-ant salaries, to the end that
they may conform to the demand Of expen-
sIye and fashionable tastes, which in their
very nature are antagonIstic to republican
principles and we demand reduction Of otfi-
clal salaries


Resolved That We demand the immediate
reform Of abuses in the civil service, through
which the patronage Of the government is
dispensed as a reward for partisan service,
rather than with regard to tine public neces-
sites.


Resolved. That we are in favor OF improv-
lng and perlecting the navigation Of our lakes
and rivers, and water connections, az soon as
1t can properly be done


Resolved. That we are opposed TO pro
tective tariff


Resolved That We deprecate any further
grants Of public lands or loans of the public
credit, and Of national. state or local sub
scrptiuns in aid Of corporations


Resolved, That we favor the repeal of our
national banking law, and believe that the
rency directly from the treasury interchang-
able for government bonds bearing the low
est possible rate Of interest


Resolved, That we hold that our patent
laws are too often made to subserve the inter
ests Of monopolists, and should be carefully
revised and restricted


Resolved, That we are opposed to any con
struction Of the state constitution which will
justify, under any pretext whatever, annual
instead W biennial sessions OF our state leg
islature


Resolved That the existing railway legis-
lation Of the state should be sustained and
enforced until thoroughly tested before the
courts; that we oppose any legislation by
Congress under the plea of regulating com
merce between the states which shall deprive
the people OF their present centralizing lntiu-
ence through state legislation.


Resolved, That the right of the legislature
to regulate and control the railroads Of the
state must be vindicated, established, and
maintained, as an essential attribute of state
government, and that those holding the doc
trine that railroad charters and contracts in
the sense that they are not subject to legisla
tive supervision and control, have no Just ap-
probation of the necessary powers and rights
Of free government, and We will agree to
no truce and submit to no compromise short
Of complete vindication and establishment
Of the supremacy of the state government in
its rights, through its legislature, to super
wise and control the railroads of the state in
such a manner the public interest shall
demand


Resolved, That we demand a reduction Of
all public expenditures to the end that taxa
tion may be reduced to the lowest possible
limit


Resolved, That we condemn the action Of
our legislature in adjourning the regular ses.
sion, thereby practically defeating the provi-
sion Of the constitution providing biennial
sessions


Resolved, That since large number Of
plow manufactures of the West have thrown
down the gauntlet, we take it up, and recon-
mend to the farmers Of this State to patron
ize none Of said manufacturers until they will
sell TO us direct at wholesale rates.