The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-10-14
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Meeting OF the National BODY at Chi
cagO.

Mel raska, Wisconsin and New York.
The Secretary reported that the alliance was
in favorable condition. There were nearly
1000 subordinate alliances in existence, with
membership of q, 500. The alliances were dis
tIibuted as follows: Nebraska, 291 Kansas,
2i5; Iowa, $50; New York. 60: Wisconsin, 81;
Michigan, 49, Missouri, 49, Indiana, 10; Ili-
nois, IS; Minnesota, so.
The presiding officer, WI. Fowler, made
brief speech, in the course of which he stated
that the alliance had so extended its field of
usefulness and its capacity for work that it
could take hold of questions which 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 sw1ndle, III
instance. 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.
Mr. Mulholland reported that the prospects
of the alliance in Kansas were lourishing.
Mr.. Williams, of Iowa, said the situation in
that State differed a good deal from that
in most of the Others. State Alliance
had been formed at Des Moines and the only
objection raised to coming into the National
Alliance was the lfe-membership rule. He
thought that the voting should rest with the
active members and that men should not be-
allowed in on the strength Of their money.
Mr. Anderson said that Wisconsin had not had
a farmer representative in Congress during
the twenty years he had been a resident of the
State He thought the farmers should unite to
support the alliance. The Wisconsin State
Alliance was well offcered and was doing well.
Mr. Wood, of Illneis, reported very encouT-
aging feeling throughout his State, and firm
determination on the part of farmers to join in
the movement. If the two great political
parties continued TO neglect the interests of the
producers, the latter would swing loose and
vote independently. They would so into their
own political conventions and vote for their
own men, and, if they could not carry their
point, they would support independent
men. The farmers of Illinois had voted long
enough against their OWN interests, and had
been led like lambs to the slaughter every time
the ballot box was passed around. The alli-
ance was not designed to form a new party, but
to encourage independence among the members
of the existing parties.
Mr.. Norton, of Wisconsin, said that as long
as the farmers were content to be led by the
! ears by the leaders Of the two old parties 1t
| suited the managers well enough. When the
| farmers were satisfied there was no hopo from
either side they would come out ard act for
| themselves.
Mr.. Wood, of Illinois, said it was mistake
| to think that nothing could be got from exist
ing political organizations. 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. He did not
think it necessary to form new party, for ex-
perience had taught them that they could Sc
cure their ends and yet remain in the existing
parties. The farmers formed so per cent. of
the voting population of the country, and, by
influencing nominations, could compel the leg
islatiOn they wanted.
| Mr.. Williams said the farmers could not con-
troll nominations. The politicians put up the
| conventions and freely distributed drinks,
| lunches and money if necessary. The COM
bned influence Of the whisky and railroad in
tere-ts was brought to bear, and the farmers
got left
Mr. Root of Nebraska. said the great trouble
| in Nebraska was with the F'machinc," which
had run the State until the meanest men in it
| got all the Offices He proposed that MEM
| bers of the alliance should nominate their own
men, and if Republicans or Democrats choose
| to vote for them, so much the better. In Ne
braska the farmers sought to get equal taxa
tion and that mOnopOlics should treat all men
| and all places alike. and not pull down or set
up men at their pleasure. Railroads should
not be allowed TO freeze out men by a system
of rebates--anOther name for robbery. Ne
braska farmers wanted no legislation to protect
the interests of the producer, and only asked
such legislation as would prevent other men
from stealing.
The committee on changes in the constitution
presented a report recommending several mi
| nor changes in the document The only inn
| pOrtant changes suggested was one abOishing
| the life-membership clause, which was adopt
ed. 1t was decided that a national lecturer
should be added to the list of officers of the al
lance. An amendment to the effect that each
State having an alliance should be entitled to
two delegates and to one extra dele
/ gate for every 10, 900 individual members of the
alliance was adopted A proposition to admit
representatives, Of all farmers societies 10 the
! deliberations Of the alliance was debated at
/ extreme length. the chief question raised be-
| ing whether or no the Grange representatives
| should be allowed to vote. The rule on this
| subject was allowed to stand as before, 80 that
| the outsiders can both talk and vote.
The Committee on Resolutions then reported
| the following, which were unanimously adopted:
| WHEREAS, Farmers and others are oppressed
| by unequal taxation, by subsidies to monopO-
! lies by selfish and dishonest officials, by rail-
road extortion and unjust Determinations and
by other privileged classes and,
WHEREAS. Congress only can regulate COM
| merce among the States, and a national union
| Of all interested is necessary for success
| ReSoiUed, That farmers, and all in sympathy
| with them, unite in local. State and national
society for mutual agreement and unltedactioH'
ReSOlred. That all property, real and personal
corporate and individual, should be equally
taxed. and that the holders of mortgages ana
other lines of property should be taxed for
their lien, and the owner for the balance OF his
property.
Res0JCed, That we favor just income tax.
ResolUcd That the salaries of all public Off
Gals should be only a fair compensation for
services rendered; that all Government posi-
tons should be elective as far as practicable, ana
that the appointment of Postmasters and other
officers by the successful party is gross VIOLA
ton Of ciyiservice reform and fruitful source
of corruption.
ReSOUed That we emphatically condemn the
practice of receiving free railroad passes by
Judges, members of Congress, Legislatures and
other public officials
Res0lUed, That it is the duty of the General
Government to at once exercise its constitu-
tional right to regulate commerce between the
! States by passing such laws and establishing
| such regulations as will secure to the whole
| people Just and impartial rates for the Transport
tatiOn of freights and passengers.
ResOlred That the combination and cOnsol-
idation of railroad capital and influence of the
| United States in the maintenance Of an OPP
pressive and tyrannical transportation system
is an accomplished fact, demanding instant,
vigorous and unceaRing action on the part Of
| the producers of the country to remedy the
same and VIC earnestly urge all farmers to Or
| ganiZe through the Farmers Alliance or other
| organizations for systematic and persistent POI
| ltical action, and to subordinate other politi-
| from this terrible oppression.
| ResOEUed, That we demand such changes in
| our Patent law as will give patentees a remedy
| for the infringement of their claims, from the
sellers of patents only. and not from their
users, who are usually innocent purchasers of
rights which they are made to believe are valid.
ResOlUed, That all persons should be allowed
| to make patented articles on payment of a roy
atty Of per cent. of the price of the article !
| royalty to be the same ON all patents.
ResoLred, That the adulteration Of food ia
as dishonest and more injurious than counter
felting money, and should be punished az Sc
| verely.
| ResoEUed, That, as delegated nominating
conventions are frequently controlled by trad
ing and bribery and fail to justly represent the
| people, we recommend the plan Of nominating
all elective officers by direct vote with all men,
| bers of the organization.
The following kilograms were read:
NEW YORK, Oct. s.
| W. T. Fowler:
| The National Autobiography League sends
| greetings and an earnest wish that your organi-
| zation may increase and prosper. The people
must organize in defense of their rights, OF
acknowledge that men may become their
| masters. S. z. CHIrTENDEN.
YORK, Pa. Oct. 5.
| W. J. Fowler, Esq, President National Alliance:
/ am prevented by a serious and painful &C
| cident from being with you to-day, but be as
I T -E.TF hat