River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-10-13
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE
Second Meeting of the National Body
Reports and Discussions.
A New Party Talked 0f-Farmers
Must Use Their Votes.

A New Party Talked of Farmers
Must Use Their Votes.
The second annual meeting of the
National Farmers Alliance was begun
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.
THE ROLL CALL
showed the following to be entitled to
seats
Iowa.. G. C. Pierce and L. f.
, Williams.
Kansas. A. Mulholland and John
| ID. James.
Nebraska-Allen Root
Illinois j. w. Galloway, ID. w.
| Wood, William NJ. Sims, James Viii
liers, A. F. Mccormack, James M.
Williams, M. George, R. A. Langdon,
P. NJ. Porter, Samuel Hood and Mr..
Mccormick.
Wisconsin-M. Norton, Matt Ander-
son and A. A. Arnold.
Indiana. NJ Wilson and E. A.
Hunt.
| Minnesota-George w. Sprgue.
Michigan-C. +. Darrow and G. G.
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 - Messrs. Wood,
James and Root.
| On observation-disclosures. 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 membership of 24,500. The al
liances were distributed as follows: Ne
braska, 291; Kansas, 245; Iowa, $50;
New York, so; Wisconsin, 81; Michi-
gan, 10; Missouri, 10; Indiana, 10; Hi
nois, 45; Minnesota, 90.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER
made a 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 so extended its field of use
fulness and its capacity for work that
it could take hold of questions which q
year ago it was unable to grapple with.
The alliance would now be able to go
/ e
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 resident of the
state. He thought the farmers should
unite to support the alliance. The
Wisconsin state alliance was well Off
cered and WIS 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 organize
tions. 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 interests
was brought to bear and the farmers
got left.
Mr.. Root said the great trouble in
Nebraska was with
THE "MACHINE,"
which had run the State until the
meanest men in it got all the offices.
| Liz DlODOotd bltfbb lLClIlOClo vi VIC air
a1ce 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
'YoRK, Pa, Oct. 5.-W. ]. F0wler,
Esq President National Alliance; l am
prevented by serious and painful ac-
cident from being with you to-day, and
be assured that as long as live / shall
give what feeble aid | can to land and
labor l hope you will speak freely to
day, and let all the world know that
you do not "lack gall to make oppres-
sion bitte1." JERE S. BLACK"
On this second day of session a
motion that the article in the constitu-
ton requiring local and state alliances
to be chartered be stricken out, was
lost. The constitution was then adopt
ed as a whole.
The convention then proceeded to
elect officers for the ensuing year with
the following result: President, John
J. Jam9s, OF Kansas, vice president,
Hon. Matt. Anderson, of Wisconsin;
secretary, D. w. Wood, of Illinois;
treasurer, Allen Root. of Nebraska.
1t was moved that one man be APP
pointed as lecturer, and the choice de-
volved upon d. w. Wood, of Illinois.
The newly elected officers then took
their seats, President James making a
short inaugural speech, stating his de-
termination to use all his power and in
fluence for the success Of the alliance
The committee on resolutions then re-
ported the following:
WHEREAS Farmers and others oppressed
by unequal taxation, by subsidies to monepolies,
by selfish sind dishonest officials, by railroad extor
ton and unjust determinations, and by other
| privileged classes; and
WHEREAS, Congress only can regulate com
merce among the states and national union OF
all interested is necessary for success
ResolUed That farmers, and all in sympathy
with them, unite in local, state and national So
eety for mutual agreement and united action.
Resolred That all property real and personal,
corporate and individual should be equally taxed,
and that the holders of mortgages and other lines
of property should be taxed fsr their lien, and the
owner for the balance of his property.
| Resolred, That we favor just income tax.
Resolred That the salaries of all public officials
should be only fair compensation for service
| iared. that all Government rOstiOns shOuld he