Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1874 — Resolutions of the Iowa Anti-Monopolists. [ARTICLE]

Resolutions of the Iowa Anti-Monop-olists.

The platform adopted by the AntiMonopolists of lowa, at their recent State Convention at Des Moines, reads as follows : Resolrtd. That we. (he delegated representative* of the people of lowa favorable to the organization of an Independent political party, laving a«idc paet differences of opinion and earnestly Tnmtngtira commoir purpose to secure needed reforms in the administration of public affairs, cordially unite in submitting these declarations'. 1. That ail political power is inherent in the people: that no government is worthy of preservation. or should lie upheld which does not derive its power from the consent ot the governed, by equal and just laws: that the inalienable right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 'should be secured to all men w ithout distinction of race, color, or nativity: that the maintenance of these principles is essential to the prosperity of onr republican institutions, and that to this end the Federal Constitution, with all its amendments, the rights of the States, and the Union of the States, must aud shall be preserved: that the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment, cxclnsirely, is indispensable to that balance of pow - er on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depends, and that we denounce as a criminal excess of constitutional power the policy of President Grant's Administration in fostering the enormities perpetrated iu certain States of the Union: iu arbitrarily interfering w ith their local affairs: in sustaining therein the usurpation of aliens and irresponsible adventurers, who, by certain men. have been illegally invested with official authority, and others deprived of their constitutional rights: oppressive laws enacted, burdensome taxation imposed, an immense fictitious indebtedness created, resulting in the degradation of these States aud the, general impoverishment us their people. 2. That the conduct of the present Administration. in its bold defiance of public sentiment and disregard of the common good: iu its prodigality and wasteful extravagance; iu the innumerable frands perpetrated under its authority; in its disgraceful partiality for and rewards of unworthy favorites: in its reckless and unstable finance policy, and iu its total incapacity to meet the vital questions of tile day, aud provide for the general welfare, stands without a parallel in our national history, and.the highest considerations of duty require the American people, in the exercise of their inherent sovereignty, to correct these accumulating evils, and bring the Government back to its ancient landmarks of patriotism and economy. 3. That the faith and credit of the nation must be maintained inviolate: that (lie public debt, of wlfatever kind, should be paid iu strict accordance with the law under which it was contracted; that an over issue of paper money being at variance with the principles of a sound financial policy, the circulating medium should be based upon its redemption in specie at the earliest practicable day, and its cbnvertibilitv into a specie equivalent at the will of the holder: and that, subject to these restrictions, it is the duty of Congress to so provide, by appropriate legislation. that the volume of onr"Government currency shall at al) times be adequate to the general business and commerce of the country, and be equitably distributed among the several States. 4. That tariffs and all oilier modes of taxation shonid be imposed upon the basis of revenue alone, and so adjusted as to yield the minimum amount required for tbe legitimate expenditures of the Government, faithfully and economically administered, and that taxation to an extent necessary- to the accittnnlation of a surplus revenue in tile Treasury subjects the people to needless burdens and affords a temptation to extravagance aud official corruption. 5. That railroads and all other corporations for pecuniary profit should be rendered subservient to the public good; that we demand such constitutional and necessary legislation upon this subject. both State and National, as will effectually secure the industrial and producing interests of the cojintrr ggajust al! forms of corporate monopoly and extortion, and that the existing railroad legislation of this State should faithfully be enforced until experience may have demonstrated the propriety and justice of "its modification. fi. That w hile demanding that railroads be subject to legislative control we shall discountenance any action on this subject calculated to retard the progress of railroad enterprise or work injustice to those invaluable auxiliaries to commerce aud civilization. 7. That the limitation of the Presidency to one term, and the election of President. Vice-Presi-dent and United Slates Senators by a direct popular vote, and a thorough reform of our civil service to the end that capacity and fidelity be made the essential qualification for election and appointment to office, are proposed reforms which meet our hearty indorsement. 8. That we demand such a modification of the Patent laws or the United States as shall destroy the monopoly now enjoyed by the manufacturers of agricultural and other implements of industry. 9. That the personal liberty and social rights of the citizen should not be abridged or controlled by legislative enactment, except in so far as maybe necessary to promote the welfare of society. ’ JO. Thai holding in /grateful remembrance the soldiers arid sailors who fought our battles, and by whose heroism the nation was preserved, we insist that Congress shall equalize the bounties and grant to each one of them, or to his widow and children, a homestead of 160 acres of land c rom the unappropriated domain of the country. A resolution giving the name of “ Independent” to the party was read, when an amendment was ottered and carried by a large majority retaining the old name of “ Anti-Monopoly.”