St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-25
THE FARMERS, ALLIANCE.

The convention of farmers now in ses-
sion at the state university building is one
of the best representative bodies of persons
interested in agriculture that ever assem-
| bled in the state. 1t is not only remarkable
for its large membership, but also for the
intelligence of its members. They repre-
sent all the various sections of the state,
and are the best representatives of Mime
sofa farmers that could be selected. 1t is
! therefore natural 10 expect that the pro-
ceedings of the convention will not only be
conducted with decorum, but that
the results will mark an important
epoch in the history Of Minnesota agrfcul-
| ture. The objects of the Farmers alliance,
as they are declared by the organization,
are to enable the farmers to better protect
themselves against hostile legislation, to
equalize taxation, and to work for the ele-
walton of agriculture by the mental, moral
and social improvement Of its members.
The objects sought to be obtained by the
alliance are all cOmmendable and deserve
the encouragement of all classes. Although
agriculture is the foundation of all national
prosperity and the tillers of the soil are
stronger numerically than all other classes
combined, IL is still a remarkable and a
most lamentabe fact that the farmers
Of the United States are more imposed upon
and worse Disseminated against than any
other of the industrial classes. The cause
of this deplorable state of affairs has been
that they have all the time been disorgan-
lied and lacking in the power of concentra-
ton and combination. The Farmers alli-
ance Is the initial step toward bringing about
that organized condition which will make
the agricultural element the power it is en-
titled to be. In addition to the mpOsitiOns
and eXtortions which the agricultural classes
suffer- resulting from the combination Of
monopoies, they are made 10 bear
the burthen of taxation. Capital
in every other shape escapes taxa
ton, but no sort Of device has yet been dis
covered by which real estate finds exemp-
ton. 1t is not a matter of surprise that
the farmers should combine and confeder-
ate TO secure tax system by which all
property can be made TO bear its Just pro-
portion Of the burthen Of taxation. Again,
the agricultural interests have suffered
from a lack of a scientific knowledge Of agTi-
culture. The farmers are awakening 20 a
realization of the fact that brains and in
telllgence are more essential to a perfect
system of agriculture than in any of the other
vacations of life. AS Senator BUCK said,
in his excellent address before the alliance
yesterday, the great mistake our farmers
make Is in selecting ont the brightest boys
for the professions and turning over the
farms to the more stupid ones. The bright
boys are the ones needed on the farm. And
what is more, the farmer boy is the one
that needs thorough education. If the
education of any of the children is to be
sighted let it be the ones who leave the
farm and go to earn their living in occupa-
tons requiring less brain and less intelli-
gence. Therefore, the alliance does the proper
thing when it declares as one of its objects
the elevation of agriculture BY the mental.
moral and social improvement of its mem
bers. These ends are in great measure
accomplished by frequent meetings and
free discussion of subjects pertaining to
their interests.
When the agricultural classes have fully
awakened to the dignity of their position
and the responsibilities which rest upon
them, there will be a more prosperous condi- |
ton of things in the country. 1t is because
of this fact and because the agricultural
interests of Minnesota exceed I'm import
ance all other interests combined that the
GLOBE expresses the hope that the alliance
now in session will work out results which
will tend to bring the farmers of the state
to the front rank and place them in abSO-
lutte control OF the states destinies.