WHAT THE ILLINOIS FARMERS DID ASSERT. 563

all partisan politics, standing firmly upon the broad and sound platform of principles, not men. To show the feeling that actuated this body of men, I give the text of the resolutions that were stigmatized as a mass of "stupidlyframed rhetoric." Each reader of the Groundswell may

Saturday Afternoon.

thus judge for himself of the animus of their critics, who should be marked as having written themselves down the enemies of all popular reform.

WHEREAS, Through the departure from the primary principles of our Government as promulgated by its founders, and through the

imprudent exercise of that highest prerogative of the freeman-the right of suffrage-we, the farmers of Illinois, in common with the wealth and food-producers of these United States, have, by our past action, acquiesced in a system of class legislation which makes the great majority slavishly subservient to a small minority; and,

WHEREAS, This condition is clearly traceable to the fostering protection which has been accorded by our legislative bodies, both State and National, to the financial, mercantile, manufacturing, and transporting interests, 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 inseparable from our legislative system; therefore,

Resolved, That the preservation of our national life imperatively demands that every American voter should attend with care to all primary nominations and elections, so as to insure the election of competent and honest men to all offices in the gift of the people.

Resolved, That the past record of the old political parties of this country is such as to forfeit the confidence and respect of the people, and that we are, therefore, absolved from all allegiance to them, and will act no longer with them.

Resolved, That we demand the unconditional repeal of the salary grab law, the repeal to be retroactive in its action, and this without a restoration of the franking privilege.

Resolved, That we do not recognize any necessity that public officers should receive extravagant salaries to the end that they may conform to the demand of expensive and fashionable tastes, which, in their very nature, are antagonistic to republican principles, and we demand a reduction of official 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 the public necessities.

Resolved, That we are in favor of improving and perfecting the navigation of our lakes and rivers and water connections, as soon as it can possibly be done.

Resolved, That we are opposed to a protective tariff.

Resolved, That we deprecate any further grants of public lands or loans of the public credit; and of National, State, or local subscriptions in aid of corporations.

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Resolved, That we favor the repeal of our National Banking Law, and believe that the Government should supply a legal tender currency directly from the Treasury, interchangeable, at the option of holder, with Government bonds bearing the lowest possible rate of interest.

Resolved, That we hold that our patent laws are too often made to subserve the interest of monopolists, and should be carefully revised and restricted.

Resolved, That the existing railway legislation of this State should be sustained and enforced until thoroughly tested before the courts. Resolved, That we oppose any legislation by Congress, under the plea of regulating commerce between the States, which shall deprive the people of their present controlling influence 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 doctrine that railroad charters are contracts in the sense that they are not subject to legislative supervision and control have no just appreciation of the necessary powers and rights of a free government; and we will agree to no truce, and submit to no compromise, short of complete vindication and re-establishment of the supremacy of the State government in its rights, through its legislature, to supervise and control the railroads of the State in such manner as the public interest shall demand.

Resolved, That we uncompromisingly condemn the practice of our public officials in receiving free passes from railroad managers.

Resolved, That we demand a reduction of all public expenditures, to the end that taxation may be reduced to the lowest possible limit. Resolved, That we condemn the action of our legislature in adjourning the regular session, thereby practically defeating the provision of the constitution providing biennial sessions.

Resolved, That since a large number of plow manufacturers of the West have thrown down the gauntlet, we take it up, and recommend to the farmers of this State to patronize none of said manufacturers until they will sell to us direct, at wholesale rates.

CHAPTER L.

THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF INDUSTRY.

IT'S ORGANIZATION AND RAPID GROWTH.

Differing in sphere, yet very similar to the organization of Patrons of Husbandry in other essential respects, this new Order aims to associate together the working men and women of our towns and cities in bonds of fraternity. The organization was effected in New York City, by various working men, of several States, in August, 1873; and, already, its lodges are numbered by hundreds. The emblem of the Order is a circular saw, around which are grouped the implements used in the various mechanical industries.

In the short time since its organization, it has met with unqualified success, which would seem to give assurance that it will soon become one of the most useful and powerful organizations in the United States.

Its grand object, as stated in one of its circulars, is not only the general improvement of the laboring classes, but to increase the wealth, and general happiness, and prosperity of the country. It is founded upon the axioms, that the laborer is worthy of his living; that individual happiness depends upon general prosperity; and that the wealth of a country depends upon the general intelligence and mental culture of the laboring classes. The best mode of securing