Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-10-14
FARMERS IN COUNCIL.
second Annual Meeting OF the Farm
ers' National = acknowledgements
ofthe Transportation QucstiCn and
the Decline or t'oliticaI Parties
instantaneous lluSineSs

of the Transportation QucstiCa and
the Decline or POLITICAL Parties
miscellaneous business.
The National Farmers alliance be
gan its second annual meeting nj
Hershey hall, Chicago. October 9th,
with the president, W. J. Fowler, of
New York, in the chair, and represen-
tatives from nine states in attendance.
The chairman, on calling the alliance
to order, explained the objects of the
organization to he combination of
farmers against railroad and barbed
wire monopolies, and the puriiication
of politics by sending men TO the state
and national legislatures who would
properly represent the people rs OPP
posed to the machine" and corrup-
ZIONIST agencies of all kinds.
STATISTICAL.
j. w. Wilson, the secretary, reported
that there were i'll existence to-day
900 local alliances, with member
hip of "A 800. Nebraska heads the
list with 249 alliances; Kansas has 245:
Iowa. 100; New York, 60; Wisconsin,
III; Minnesota, 90; Illinois, 10; Michi-
gan, 10; Missouri, 19; Indiana, 10. The
movement, he said. WAS only II year
old, yet il had already developed great
strength, and was giving evidence Of
the possession of wonderful vitality
and the elements that insure its popu-
larity among the producing classes.
REPORTS
Reports from subordinate secretaries
were called for, and i'll response there
to Mr.. l.. A. Mulholland, of Kansas,
stated that the prospects were good for
Il rapid increase of membership in that
state and an increase of influence.
Mr.. Matt. Anderson. Of Wisconsin.
taouSlt tho day was nppropelANnW when
the farmers of his state could combine,
and, by oyerthrowing the machine"
obtain control of the state, and have
such legislation rs they might desire.
Mr.. Root, of Nebraska, wanted to
see the downfall of the machine. The
farmers, he said, wanted an equaliza-
ton of taxes, and legislation that would
prevent discrimination in favor oi any
particular class. They also wanted
laws enacted by which railroads would
be compelled to treat all their patrons
alike in carrying freight. No legisla-
ton is wanted for the protection of
home industries, but the stealing must
be stopped. Mr.. Root was opposed 10
the life membership plan.
JUDGE JERE BLACK.
The following telegram from Judge
Jere S. black, sent from York, Pa, to
the chairman. was read:
Mr.. w. j. FOWLER President or the
Farmers Alliance: Iam prevented by
a serious and painful accident from be-
ing with you to-day, but be assured
that MS long rs ! live ] shall give what
feeble aid ! can for justice to land and
labor | hope you will speak plainly
to- day and let all tho world know that
you do not lack gall to make oppres-
sion bitter. j. s. BLACK.
The discussion over the question Of
employing a national lecturer ended in
the decision that ii should not be done.
1t was decided that all organizations of
farmers should be permitted to send
delegates to the meeting Of the national
body, provided they pay the customary
annual fees. The national alliance will
probably he composed hereafter of two
delegates from each state alliance and
one additional delegate for every ten
thousand members in state.
Upon reasseDlbling on the second day,
constitution was adopted The fol
lowing officers we're then elected: Pres
ident J. b. James, Kansas; Vice Presi-
dent, NJ. Anderson, Wisconsin; Secre-
tary, d. w. Wood, Illinois; Treasurer,
A. Root, Nebraska; Lecturer, ID. w.
Wood, Illinois. The committee on res
oiutions presented report which in
substance stated that in the opinion of
the alliance, farmers and Others are OPP
pressed by unequal taxation, by sub
sides to monopolies, by selfish parti-
sans and dishonest officials, by railroad
extortions and unjust Determinations,
and by other privileged classes. To
remedy these evils it is suggested that
all property should be equally taxed,
that the salaries of all public officials
should be only fair compensation for
services rendered; that il is the duty
of the general government to regulate
commerce between the several states
by passing laws and establishing regII-
lations that will secure to the whole
people just and impartial rates for the
transportation of feight and passen-
gers. Several other equally pertinent
suggestions were made. The alliance
also passed a resolution saying that
they emphatically condemn the prac-
tice of receiving free -ailwaAs asses by
judges, members of congre and the
legislatures and other, als. st.
Louis was chosen as Zee for the
next meeting.