The Reformer's Platform

The following aro the resolutions adopted by the Reform Convention held at Lansing on the Cth inet : Whereat, We, the people of Michigan, recognize honesty and patriotism in a large portion of the votéis in the Democratie and Republican parties, we claim that they are poworless to reform the abuses and thwart the designs of the men who now control those organizations, and the corrupt record and violated pledges that we have witnessed in the past history of these parties admonish us that we cannot secure reform by longer actiug with either. The Tammany steal, the Credit Mobilier fraud, the Congressional salary swindle, the Sanborn iniquity, the civil service corruptions, the District of Columbia robbory, and the hundreds of other steals, embezzlements and swindles, by whiuh tho Republican and. Democratie legislators, Congressmen and office-holdors, have enrichod themselves, defraudod the country and impoverished tho people, coupled with the dangerous and centralizing power of political and moneyed rings formed at the National capital and oxtendod to almost overy State, county and township in. the Union, clearly demonstrates to us the necessity of independent action, and the importance of united effort, and we cordially invite all men, of whatever class or vocation, regardless of past political views, to join us in removiug tlie evils that so seriously affect us all. llcsulrcil, That in support of the above, this convention organizo from this date a National Reform Party. Resolved, That we favor tho provisión by the Government of a sound currency tor the peoplo, a currency that shall not be liable to such contraction and inflation as shall result in injury to the business iuterests of the country, not overlooking the hope that we inay approach a specie basis as rapidly as shall be consistent with the tinancial prosperity of all business pursuits. llcxolced, That the maintenance inviolate of the right of each State to order and control its own . domestic concerns according to its own judginent exclusively, is indispensable to that balance of power on which the perfection of our political fabric depends. Acsolved, That we favor the one-term principie for President of the United States. Resolved, Thát while we aro willing to bear every and all just and reasonable taxation, the laboring and producing classes should be allowed to enjoy the the resulta of their toil without being subjected to spoliations in the forin of taxes and subsidies levied to maintain in idleness an unnocessary army oí' officeholders and contractors, that we rejoice in all organizations whose tendency is to protect the'interests of the producing classes, and welcoino their assistance in all efforts to purgo our Government of the rings and couibinations whioh are now sapping the foundations of the Ropublic. llcsolccJ, That the Legislatura has the right to regúlate the fares and frcight rates upon railroads so far as to protect the public against unreasonable charges ; and it is the duty of the Legislaturo at once to so change the rato and mode of taxing railroads as that they shall bear equal burdens with othcr property in the support of government. licsohed, that to inaintain a large balance in the State treasury from year to year, to be loaned out tor the benefit of a financial and political ring, at the cost of a heavy annual tax on the people, is nnjust ; and the inadequate security given by the State Treasurer exposes the State to great risk of loss ; that net balances should be so as to greatly reduce our taxation for State purposes. Ileeolved, That the accounts kept by the State Treasurer of the funds of the people should be open at all times to the scrutiny of the tax-payers and their representatives ; that we deem the couduct of the State Treasurer in refusing to respond to the cali óf the Legislature as to the location and safety of the public inoneys to be highly reprehensible, and a taoit admission that the information required vvould exposé the fact that souie of it was in handa not altogether 8afe ; and that the toleration of suoh refusal by the Republican majority of tne Legislature is even more to be condemned, and that in view of these faots the people have reason to entertain serious fears for the safety of the money which has been raised by onerous taxation. Resolved,, That we deprécate and condemn the acceptanoe and use of free passes froni railroads by members of the Legislature, State officials, and judges of courts of record, as a practice inimical to the interests of the producing and laboring classes.