The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-10-21

THE FARMERS LII CONVENTION.
A Nanbes. OF Farmers l1ees Ii Csss..,,
Adopt Series af Resolutions and 0rcnaiso
A Natlonal Farners' Alliance.
A CONVENTION Of farmers, made up of rep
resentatfves from several hundred Granger
and other organizations, was held in Chicago
On the 18th OF October. There were about
three hundred delegates in attendance. Matt
Anderson wisconsin, was chosen President;
L. Prince CMassachusetts), W. J. Fowler New
York; A. B. Smith kentucky Milton George
Qllinois), }. e. Cobbey Uowal, and J. J. Fuss
(Michiganl e-Presidents; Jonathan Periam,
j. M. Chambers and w. W. Corbett Ullinois),
Secretaries.
Mr.. Piugree, of Illinois, read an essay
on Cheap and Rapid Transportation"
He urged that the great drawback to the ad-
vancement of the producer was the high
freight rates of railways. In order to have
the people prosper, cheap transportation must
be adopted by some means. The remedy was
the construction by tho Government of rail-
way I'd carry exclusively freight from the
grain-growing States of the West to the sea-
board.
Mr.. Fowler, of New York, was called ON for
an address, and told about the organization of
the New York Farmers Alliance, which was
formed three years ago. 1t was not political
in National sense, though it made fight re-
garding transportation and taxation, only
supporting those candidates for the State
Legislature who were in accord with the OBJ
jects of the Association. Much had already
been accomplished, and next year they ex-
pected to have a Legislature which would
enact laws in the interest of the farmers,
whose interests were those of the people.
That they did not get their fair share of the
wealth they produced was owing to the neg
lect of their political duties. They should or
ganize to secure their rights. After they had
obtained the transportation reforms demand
ed, and secured equality of assessment and
taxation, there still remained the necessity OF
some political organization of farmers a.
farmers to operate upon both parties to check
them in their extravaganza, which led to cor
ruption.
The following preamble and resolutions were
reported from committee and, after discus
sion, unan imously adopted:
This Convention, representing the industrial
and shipping interests, Oranges, Farmers
Clubs and alliances, affirms as incOntrOverti-
BILE facts that the railroad system of this coun-
try has become virtual monopoly which 10
defiant of all existing law bearing upon the
management of railways, oppressive alike TO
the producer and consumer, cOrrupting to our
politics. hindrance to free and impartial
legislation, and a menace to the very safety
of our republican institutions; that our rail-
road corporations, while having secured an
existence and their franchises through the
and in the belief ON the part of the people .
representatives that the public good demand-
ed it, having been granted the right OF way
ating their roads as an entirely private en-
terprise, without regard to the rights OF
the people, and needless of their pledges
to- and sn WITH n s s sas ea they
public land grants, and subsidies and loans,
aggregating in value over a billion and half
Of dollars, and by town and individual sub
scriptions to an amount which cannot be &C
curately ascertained, but is known to aggre-
gate hundreds of millions, and that although
no part of the principal and not penny OF the
interest has ever in a single instance been
paid, these corporations utterly ignore the
enormous assessment with which the people
their behalf, and assume the right to impose
rates for freight and passenger transportation
as If the roads had been wholly constructed by
Se s ; that tSeit pubcy .announced PRINCIPLES
of business is to charge rate as high Is the
business will bear, which means that freight
tariffs shall be maintained at just a. high q
figure as will not make the shipment of farm
produce and merchandise absolutely object
less-a principle SO unjust and tyranntcal that
those engaged in private business enterprises
producer and shipper to contribute sufficient
to pay large dividends not only upon the fair
value of the bona fide stock, but also upon the
tered stock; that they organize within them.
selves independent companies-which manage
what are called fast freight lines-to do the
business which they were organized to do. and
thus are enabled to assess the public to pay
dividends to two companies, when one could
do the business; that they discriminate against
individuals and communities, assuming the
power, and using it most disastrously at times
to ruin a merchant, or mercantile or farming
community; that these corporations have
grown so arrogant that they refuse to listen tG
either remonsfrancss or sntreaties ana tha,
thwart their designs or to enforce the right OF
the public. In view of these startling facts
and in accordance with the decision OF the SUI
preme Court of the United States, affirming
the right of the people to regulate the man
agement of and charges upon railroads. thif
Convention resolves:
country in their contest with the railroad
demand that only what y Vii have 1T, It. th"u
2. That while agriculture pays less than foul
per cent. upon the investment, and legitimate
Us
the transportation of the produce of our farms
to market which enable railroad officials tC
amass princely fortunes, live in extravaganza
and pay large dividends upon the fair value OF
their stock, besides saving enough from the
profits of their business to make improve
ments and extensions upon their lines which
full dividends.
3. We demand of Congress remedy; that II
shall place the railroads Of the country under
@
BILE extOrtion under which he has SO long suf.
fered, and we will hold our Representatives in
the National Legislature to q strict accounta.
biltty for their action in the premises, pledg-
ing ourselves and our constituency to exert
ourselves to the utmost to defeat the re-elec-
ton Of any man to any Legislative or Execu-
official capacity the subjugatfon of railroad
corporations to the will of the people.
4. We demand of our respective political
parties that hereafter they shall nominate for
the State Legislature and for Congress only
such men Us are in sympathy with the indus.
trial and commercial interests, and who, If
elected, will work and vote to place the pro
lies Of every character; and IL our respective
parties neglect to do this, we pledge ourselves
to use every honorable means to defeat the
candidates which they present for our suf.
frage.
5. We congratulate the Grange and Farmers'
Clubs upon what they have done to enamel.
pate the labor of the farm from slavish drudg-
cry to mOnopOlies, and urge them to cOntin-
u0uC0 VI tUelr uOUlc WORK. WHICH mus Uo0u 80
effective in the education of the masses, and
such an obstacle to class legislation.
= 6. We bid welcome and godspeed to the
Farmers Alliance, which joins hands with the
Grange and Farmers Clubs in demanding these
reforms which are requisite for the prosperity
of the farmer and of the country.
Z; We pledge our support to those journals
which shall support US, and urge upon farm
ers the recognition of the duty to support no
paper which is not outspoken in our interests.
THE ALLIANCE
After the adjournment of the Convention q
number of delegates remained in the hall and
organized a National Alliance. The constitu-
ton adopted sets forth that the "National
Farmers Alliance Of the United States ="
should have power to make laws for the gov
eminent of the entire organization. The OBJ
jects were: To unite the farmers Of the Unit
ed States for their protection against class
legislation and the entertainments of concen-
trated capital and the tyranny of monopoly;
to provide against being imposed upon by
swindlers and swindling advertisements in
thov a. hnS-