Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-05-28
To the Farmers Alliance of the State Of
Minnesota

To the Farmers Alliance of the State of
You are requested to assemble in State
Alliance, in the City of Mankato, on
Tuesday, June 10th, 1884, leach Subordi-
nate Alliance being entitled to two dele
gates) for the consideration of measures
arising under principles that bind us to-
gether.
During the past few years the few who
control and operate corporate monopolies
have not only amassed large fortunes by
unlawful and oppressive burdens imposed
upon the farming community, but have
through bribery, and other unjust means,
secured legislation in their interests Diet.
rimental to the leading industries of the
country, and of such APPALLING character,
if not checked, as to undermine the fun
damental principles of our government.
1t is needless to enumerate in detail
these burdens-they are thoroughly un-
derstood by you all.
1t is well established principle in our
government that the peoples rights and
duties demand that they should institute
measures looking to the adjustment of
burdensome, obnoxious and class favor
ing laws, and institute new measures and
laws having for their foundation such
principles as shall be most likely to pro-
mote their safety and happiness.
We believe that the railroads and trans.
portation corporations were chartered by
State and Normal law, to be for the peo-
pies service, profit and happiness, and
are in all respects common carriers, and
as such should be managed for the good
of the people, not as gigantic monepolies,
enriching the few from the hard earnings
of the many. 49,
We believe that the agricultural inter
ests of the Western and Southern States,
forming as they do the vast wealth of
tho country, and giving employment to
the greater part OF our people--being
more than six tenths of the voting pop
ulation-sheuld receive a proportionately
large share of the fostering care of the
government.
In the State of Minnesota, legislation
in favor of one gigantic monopoly was
the leading measure of the late session,
while needed legislation for the relief Of
the agriculturalists at large, petitioned
for by the people, and recommended by
the governor, was purposely and unjust.
~ neglected.
We, as farmers, are seven-tenths of the
voting population of this State, and have
within ourselves the power to redress
these wrongs, and are the culpable party
if these grievances are not corrected.
The earnest and practical work ac-
complished by the Farmers Convention,
held in St. Paul this spring, being COM
posed of delegates from all sections OF
the State, fnlly demonstrates the deep
interest taken by the farmers in this
movement.
To carry on this work, to more fully
perfect our organization, and better in
form the people of our objects and aims
will be the leading work of the coming
State Alliance, and to this end we ex.
tend an invitation to representation Of
all oranges, farmers unions, and all
other organizations Of farmers, as well
as individual farmers, where no organi.
cations exist, to meet with us and join in
our deliberations.
In the conside of these principles
we now ask you to leave your pillow and
the busy duties of this pressing season
Of the year, and meet in Convention al
/ Mankato.
Trusting that wisdom and Judgment
may give guidance to your deliberations