San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-12-02
PLATFORM
or the Farmers state Alliance of Texas.

or the Farmers' Stale Alliance OF IeNns.
The Grand State Alliance OF Toxas, which
met IN August last Mt Cleburno, adopted
and promulgated tho following Platform of
Principles and Action
We, delegates Of the Grand State Alliance
| in convention assembled do hereby recon-
mend aud demand Of our State and nation
al goyel nments according ~ the same will
come under the Jurisdiction Of one or the
other or both, such legislation as shall So
cure 10 our people freedom from the oncr-
ons aud shameful abuses that the industrial
Glasses are now suffering at the hands OF
arrogant capitalists aud powerful corpora
tons. We demand;
l. The recognition by incorporation OF
trades unions, cooperative stores and other
associations rs may DO organized by the
industrial classes to improve their financial
condition or promote their general welfare
g We demand that all public and school
lnnds be held in small bodies, not exceeding
800 acres 10 each purchaser for actual set
tiers on easy terms of payment.
3. That large bodies of land held by pri-
vate individuals or corporations for specu-
atiye purposes shall be assessed for taxation
at such rates M they are offered to pur-
chasers, on credit one, two, or three years,
in bodies of 100 acres or less.
4. We demand tn I measures be taken to
prevent aliens acquiring title to land in the
United States, aud to force the titles al
ready acquired by aliens to be relinquished
by sale to actual settlers and citizens of the
United States.
5. That the law making powers take early
action upon such measures rs shall eifectual-
ly prevent the dealing in futures of all agri-
cultural products, prescribing such proce-
dure in trial rs shall secure the most per-
feet compliance with the law.
6. That all lands forfeited by railroads or
other corporations Immediately revert to
the government and be declared opon to
purchase by actual settlers on the same
terms as other public or school lands.
Z. We demand that fences be removed,
by force if necessary, from public or school
lands unlawfully fenced by cattle compan-
les, syndicntes or any other form or name
OF monopoly.
s. We demand that the statutes of the
State of Texas DO rigidly enforced by the
Attorney General of tho State; to compel
corporations to p y taxes due the State and
counties.
8. That railroad property shall be assess
ed to tho full nominal value of the stock on
which the railroad seeks to declare divi-
dends.
TO- We demand the rapid extinguishment
of the public debt of the United States by
operating the mints to their fullest capacity
in coming silver and gold and the rendering
of the same without discrimination to the
creditors of the nation according to contract,
II, We demand the substitution of legal
tender treasury notes for the issues of ma
tional banks; that the Congress of the
I'm ted States shall regulate the amount of
such issues by giving t. the country per
capita circulation that shall increase Us the
population and business interests of the
country expand.
49, We demand the establishment of n
National Bureau of Labor Statistics, that
we may arrive at n correct knowledge of
the moral, intellectual, and financial condi-
ton of the laborng masses of our citizens;
and, further, thut the commissioner of this
bureau be cabinet officer of the United
States government.
- We demand tho enactment of laws to
compel corporations to pay their employees
to contract III lawful money for
their services, and the giving to the mech
les and nborcrs first lien upon the pro-
duets of their labor to the extent of their
full wages.
IA. We demand the passage of interstate |
commerce lawa TINT shall secure the same
rates of freight to all persons of the same
class of merchandise, according to distance
Of haul. without regard to shipment; to
prevent the granting of rebates; TO prevent
The granting of rebates; to prevent pooling
freights to shut off competition, and to Sc
cure to the people the benefits of railroad
ut reasonable cost.
Is. We demand that all convicts be con-
fined within the prison walls, and the con-
tract system be abolished.
IS. We recommend call for q national
conference, to which all labor organizations |
shall be invited to send representative men,
70 discuss measures rs may be of interest
20 the aboring classes.
Resolved That the president of the State
Grand Alliance be, and he is hereby directed
10 appoints committee of three to press these
demands upon the attention Of the Legisla-
lures of both State and Nation, and report
Mt the meeting of the next Grand
State Alliance; and, be it further
Resolved, That newspapers be furnished
copies of these demands for publication;
and, be 1t further
Resolved, That the president of the Grand
State Alliance have 80, 900 copies of these
demands aud resolutions printed and dis
tributed 10 the Sub-Alliances through the
county secretaries; and, be it further
Resolved, That each delegate to this
State Alliance present n copy of these de-
mands and resolutions, as early rs possible,
to each candidate for Legislative Office,
State or National, and endeNvor to secure
his endorsement and assistance in carrying
them to successful issue,
w. NJ. MATHEs, j. NJ. PARDUE,
II. L. CLARK. b. +. ROGERS,
L. b. WARREN, J. II. MoRRow,
GEo. II. STovALL,
Committee on demands and good of the
order of Farmers Grand State Alliance.
ii. G. MooEE, A. DUNLAP,
Secretary President