Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-10-13
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE
Second Meeting or the National Body
Reports and Discussions.
a New Party Talked Of-EnrWers
Must Use Their Votes.


October 5, in Hershey hall, Chicago.
Mr.. w. j. Fowler, of New York, presi-
dent of the alliance, called the meeting
to order, and presided during the ses-
sion. Q
THE ROLL CALL
showed the following to be entitled to
seats
Iowa.. G. c. Pierce and L. f..
Williams.
Kansas. A. Mulholland and John
d. James.
Reconsideration Root.
Illinois j. w. Galloway, ID. w.
Wood, William NJ. Sims, James Vii
lier, A. F. Mccormack, James NJ.
Williams, NJ George. r. A. Langdon,
2. M. Porter, Samuel Hood and Mr..
Mccormick.
Wisconsin-M. Norton, Matt Ander-
SOB and A. A. Arnold.
Indiana. M. Wilson and f. a.
Hunt.
Minnesota-George w. Sprgue.
Michigan-C. f. Darrow and c. c..
Barry.
New York, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa
and Wisconsin, having State alliances,
were entitled each to two votes, and the
other states represented by subordi-
nate alliances each to one vote.
The chair announced the following
committees:
On Credentials - Messls. Wood,
James and Root.
On Messrs. Williams,
Mulholland and George
On Changes in the Constitution
Messrs. Anderson, Sprague and Wilson,
sECRETARY's REPORT.
The secretary, Mr.. j. r. Wilson, re-
ported that the alliance was in favor
able condition. There were nearly
1000 subordinate alliances in existence,
with a membership of 24,500. The al
liances were distributed as follows: Ne
braska, 291; Kansas, 245; Iowa, 800;
New York, GO; Wisconsin, 81; Michi-
gan, 10; Missouri, 10; Indiana, 10; Hi
nois, As; Minnesota, so.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER
made brief speech, in the course of
which he stated that certain changes in
the constitution would be recommend
ed, more particularly referring to the
question of life-memberships. The al
lance had 80 extended it's field of USE
fitness and its capacity for work that
it could take hold of questions which a
year ago it was unable to grapple with.
The alliance would now be able to go
for some OF the patent monopolies,
such as the barbed-wire swindle, for in
stance. There was money enough to
carry the barbed-wire cases up to the
higher courts, and thus much material
aid could be given to the farmer.
STATE REPORTS.
Mr.. Mulholland reported that the
prospects Of the alliance in Kansas
were flourishing. A state alliance had
been organized, and they were thor
oughly organized and progressing
finely.
Mr.. Anderson said that Wisconsin
had not had farmer representative in
congress during the twenty years in
which he had been a resident of the
state. He thought the farmers should
unite to support the alliance. The
Wisconsin state alliance was well Off
cered and WAS doing well.
LED BY THE EARS
by the leaders of the two old parties it
suited the managers well enough.
When the farmers were satisfied there
was no hope from either side they
would come out and act for them
selves.
Mr.. Wood, of Illinois, said it was a
mistake to think that nothing could be
got from existing political organiza-
tons. The trouble was that farmers
stuck too close to their fields and barns,
and allowed the moss-back politicians
to run the caucuses and conventions.
Mr.. Williams said the farmers could
not control nominations. The politi-
clans put up the conventions and freely
distributed drinks, lunches, and money
if necessary. The combined influence
of the whisky and railroad interest:
, was brought TO bear and the farmers
got left.
Mr.. Root said the great trouble ii
! Nebraska was with
THE MACHINE"
which had run the State until the
meanest men in it got all the offices
He proposed that members of the ALI
ance should nominate their own men
and if republicans or democrats choose
to vote for them, so much the better.
| JERE BLACK.
The secretary read the following tel
egram a;
"YoRK. Pa, Oct. 5.-W. J. Fowle,'
Esa.. President National Alliance; an
prevented by serious and painful &C
cident from being with you to-day, ant
be assured that as long rs ! live / shall
give what feeble aid | can to land ant
labor. hope you will speak freely t.
day, and let all the world know tina
YOU do not "lack gall to make opples
sion bitter" JERE ;. BLACK.
On this second day of t session ,
motion that the article IN the constitu
ton requiring local and state alliance
to be chartered be stricken out, wa
lost. The constitution was then adopt
ed as a whole.
The convention then proceeded t.
elect officers for the ensuing year Will
the following result: President, Johi
J. James, Of Kansas, vice president