THE FARMER'S WAR AGAINST MONOPOLIES. 511 



the maintenance of this right by the Government as a sacred duty assential 

 for the preservation of the liberties of the people and the stability and pros- 

 perity of the Commonwealth. 



Fourth : That tazes can only be rightfully levied for the purpose of raising 

 revenues to defray the expenses of the Government in the discharges of its 

 legitimate duties, supporting public institutions, and promoting the public 

 welfare ; and that the levying of imposts as inure to the benefit of a class or 

 classes in the community, while being detrimental to other classes, is unjust 

 and oppressive ; and that tariffs levied on imported articles may be and are 

 often so arranged as to become thus discriminative and injurious; and that it 

 is therefore essential that the utmost care should be taken in framing such 

 tariff laws, in order that the objectionable features may be avoided and that 

 they may operate for the well being of the entire community. 



Fifth: That it is contrary to the spirit and purpose of a Eepublican Govern- 

 ment that its servants should be compensated for their public services to an 

 extent that will make office holding attractive to human cupidity, and that in 

 the late act of Congress, increasing the official and Congressional salaries, 

 notwithstanding the pleas and excuses urged in its palliation, we recognize only 

 a corrupt and reprehensible avarice and reckless disregard of the public weal, 

 which deserves the severest censure ; and we demand the repeal of the law at 

 the earliest practicable moment, and declare every man who supported and 

 approved, or aided and abetted in procuring its passage, or received benefit 

 through its enactment, whether in the shape of back or future pay, as un- 

 worthy the confidence of his fellow-citizens and unfit for the further occupancy 

 of any position of public trust. 



Sixth : That all participants in the Cr6dit Mobilier and the corrupt trans- 

 actions exposed by its investigation of the late Congress and by the late 

 Treasury investigation of the State, deserve to have been punished as criminals, 

 and that those who aided in screening them from complete exposure and con- 

 sequent punishment, should likewise become objects of public scorn and 

 contumely. 



Seventh : That every public officer is amenable to the people for his conduct, 

 and that public sentiment should demand and compel the resignation of all 

 those who are guilty of misrepresenting their constituents, of malfeasance in 

 office, and of neglecting to execute faithfully the duties intrusted 'to them. 



Eighth : That the fees and salaries at present allowed to county and other 

 officials within this State are frequently excessive, and that these should never 

 be greater than is paid by private individuals to their employes engaged in 

 similar duties and bearing similar responsibilities, and that we demand that 

 the State Legislature shall at its next session remedy this evil, and reduce such 

 salaries and fees to what will be no more than a just and reasonable compensa- 

 tion, and thus, by removing the inducements for holding, lessen the desire for 

 seeking office, and obviate to a considerable extent one of the most patent 

 causes of local political corruption. 



Ninth : That our experience proves that persons elected by parties are sub- 

 servient to the leaders and wire-pullers of the parties electing them in the 



