The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-12-27

DECATUR, ILL.,, Dec. 20, 1873.

DECATUR, H., Dec 20, 1873.
To the Editor Of the woRKISsxAS's ADVOCATE.
The Illinois Farmers Association, have
just concluded three days meeting at
this place. There was about 25O delegates
present, and all except three counties were
represented by delegates from Clubs and
Changers. They were as intelligent i'll sp-
pearance, as an equal number Of men from
any situation among us, not excepting the
members Of our present Congress. There
was very little Of that overgrown brazen
faced impudence, SO prominently displayed
ia the Z. s. Senate, the greatest rogues'
gallery in the world. A citizen here not
in the movement" but a strong Repub-
lican-said that most of them looked like
plug hat farmers Or office seekers. He was
somewhat stirred by the proceedings.
The order Of business was planned out
by the officers some time before the meet
ing, and it did appear that "ring was
already trying to run the great anti-mon-
opoly Farmers movement in Illinois. Some
of the delegates disapproved Of the man
ner Of occupying the time, but the bust
Some things were proposed that are prac-
teal, and many that would cost the people
more than they ever could pay, and carry
the present ruinous and disgraceful load
1t was quite encouraging to your CORES
pondent to see such waking up and stir
ring up Of the foul political pools ; and
must say it done my soul good to look at
the enthusiasm and determination mani
tested by the meeting. The managing pol
iticians were there, but not in force en- ugh
to stand up against the popular feeling, n
direct the current now set in against poll 7
cal knavery and corruption. There v. >
some excitement over the attempt to
change the name from " Illinois Farmers
Association" to the - Farmers and Work
ingmens Anti Monopoly Association. -
Many Of the real farmers lookad on the eff
fort to change the name. As plan to ad-
mt any person who would do an hour $
labor for the purpose Of becoming a mem
Der, and having chance to do more
against the cause than they could from the
outside. The majority decided to retain
the name of - Farmers Association" in
vited all Industrial organizations to help
them in a common cause, and made pro-
visions that all can be represented at any
future meeting.
The following resolution on the old par
ties, got up more talk and excitement than
all the others
Resolved, That the past record of old pO-
itical parties of this country is such as to
forfeit the confidence and respect of the PEG
pie, and that we are therefore absolved from
all allegiance to them, and will act no longer
with them.
While it was under discussion one Re-
publican State Senator was Kissed at and
completely sqsselched. The resolution was
carried unanimously, as given above, ex-
cept the word Twill" in the last line was
changed to "should" The changing Of
that one word seemed to be some comfort
to the politicians. Drowning persons catch
the wind blows" The tariff and financial
resolutions are first rate, in my opinion,
and indicate political reform and progress
among the people.
On tariffs they
Resolved, The right to exchange the pro-
ducts Of labor, is co-extensive with the right
of ownership. We submit to all useful taxa
ton for the support of the government, but
denounce all special taxation levied for the
benefit of special classes. We hold that the
existing duties on clothing, lumber, salt, iron
and steel, are not only unnecessary to the sue
cessful prosecution Of those Industries, but
oppressive to labor and lead to create monop
olies, while at the same time they furnish q
pretext for extortionate charges for railway
transportation.
On finances they
Resolved, That we favor the repeal of our
national banking law, and believe that the
government should supply alegal-tender cur
rency directly from the treasury, interchang
able for government bonds bearing the low
est possible rate of interest
All the expressions against high salaries,
salary grab, corrupt legislation, land grants,
etc, are good, and passed quickly and
unanimously.
There seemed to be strong effort by
some TO make the meeting appear ridicu-
lous on account of the number of resolu-
tons, and the variety of subjects intro
duced. But az the people are only begin
ming to stir, have not yet got up decided
popular sentiment in favor of any particu-
lar measure, only to beat the old parties;
the delegates were not instructed, and
could only exchange ideas by resolutions
and discussion, and thus prepare for future
political action. Time only can tell what
will be done, or how much longer this peo-
pie will be mere tails to the Republican or
Democrat kites. But | believe the New
PARTY is now organized, and if majority
Of workingmen win do their plain duty,
we can be successful at the next election
in this State, and march on to glorious
national victory in few years. Let us
look around carefully, try to realize the
terrible load on labor which is the cost Of
political corruption, and unite in earnest
efforts to protect and promote our own in
terests
Yours for the cause,