The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-03-04
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Tho Minnesota Farmers' Alliance Meets
1T the State University In Fifth Annual
Session.
Adoption OF Very Long and Comprehen-
sive Series Of Resolutions.


Session.
Adoption OF u Very Long and Comprehen-
sive Series of Resolutions.
The Minnesota Farmers Alliance held
session OF three days at the State Univer-
sity, Minneapolis. President George w.
Spraguc oil Fillmore county called the meet
ing to or,ler. and the venerable secretary,
George w. Haigh OF Mankato, sat beside
him. President Northrop gave brief ad-
dress OF greeting:
The following were named as q commit
tee on credentials, one for each congress
sional district: Thomas Bursell, Fillmore
county; j. L. Diamond, Blue Earth; Mil
ton Cutler, McLeod Hugh Campbell,
Washington; T. c. Hodgeson, Grant coun-
ty. Mr.. Myers was admitted without the
tormality Of credentials.
Hon. Daniel Buck of Mankato, delivered
an address, occupying about an hour and
a half for which a vote OF thanks was
extended to him. He believed that one of
the greatest mistakes that this govern
ment ever made was when it commenced to
grant millions OF acres OF the public do
main to great corporations. 1t was sewing
heseeds soicorruption that haveripened un-'
til there stands dark spot in the nations
history. Ii there is a curse resting upon
this part OF the country that is unbeara-
BILE, it is the fact that millions OF railroad
lands remain untaxed, the owners bearing
none Of the burdens Of government. The
farmer is taxed for his eighty acre tract,
while the railroad land adjoining escapes.
And this is the boasted land OF equality.
There are nearly q quarter OF a million
more tenants in the United States
than in Great Britain and Ireland.
The curse and danger OF this country lies
| in the immense farms, accumulated wealth
and rich corporate monOpO.ies. Then there
is the matter of unjust determinations in
railroad matters. You want the whipping
post or a steam spanker or striped jacket
Tor men who do this. The rebate system
is another curse. He touched upon various
remedies for this state OF things and hint
ed that the alliance might have
to make nominations of it's own.
The committee on credentials submitted
a report showing IL very large number OF
accredited delegates.
A committee on resolutions was appoint
ed as follows:
First District-William Sprague, John
Bursell.
Second-A. A. Williams, William Webb.
Third. Donuelly, J. s. Shields.
| FOURTH. B. Taft NJ. B. Cochran.
Fifth-Gen. T. B. Barrett, Charles Can
ming.
At Large-D. Cleveland, stearns county;
| Cs W.
Otter Tail county.
On the second day, it was suggested that
the railroad and warehouse commission
ers and chief Inspector, who were present
be invited to make statements Of the work
ings OF the law. Gen. Baker, Commission
er Murdock ard the inspector accordingly
took the platform. Gen. Baker and Mr..
Murdock spoke at some length on the
workings OF the roilroad law, and respond
| ed tn va riOus intar0pa tiOnS
At the opening of the afternoon session
| Ignatius Donnelly, chairman, announced
that the committee on resolutions was ready
to report In submitting the very volumi-
nous report, Mr.. Donnelly said the only
apology he had to offer for the length of the
resolutions was the number of the wrongs
| that were suffered. He considered this
voluminousness the best possible commen-
tarv on the necessity for radical reforms
During the reading Mr.. Donnelly was re-
peatedly interrupted by applause
Resolved. That it is with pride we call the at
tention of the farmers of the state to the fact
that the only remedial legislation which the peo-
pie have obtained during the past twenty years.
however defective it may yet be, Is due to the
existence and labors Of the Farmers alliance
and the public opinion which It has helped to
Resolved, That this alliance, while not par
tisan association. is political In the sense that it
through the ballot box: that its existence has
been rendered necessary by the failure of both
| of the great political parties OF our state to
maint ain the rights OF the people against cor
porate oppression.
Resolved That the Republican party, having
had complete control of the state government
through all the years during which the evils OF
which we complain have arisen, must be held
responsible for its failure to abate or abolish
them, except when forced to do SO in part last
winter upon our demand; while on the other
hand many Of the so-called leaders of the Demo-
cratic party have been among the most servile
and supple tools Of the railroads and rings.
| therefore
rank and file OF both parties, we declare our inten
tion to give our sufrages. without regard to past
by their past acts their fidelity to our interests
Resolved, That there are really but two parties
in this state to-day-the people and their
plunderers. The only issue is: Shall the people
keep the fruits Of their own industry. or shall
the thieves carry them away?
Resolved, That we call upon all producers and
| all persons interested in the prosperity Of the
producers of this state in town and country,
upon all merchants, laboring men, mechanics
and professional men to unite with US at the
| ballot box next November to secure q legisla-
ture that will work in the interests Of the many
| agai nst the exactions of the few
edS ne 1ns oms
| Of the state legislature The term of sixty days
in two years is too short q space for the neces-
is as
and wasting at the bung" It is shame
full thing that free people should 80 tie their
own hands that they cannot exercise self gov
| ernment in it's highest prerogative, the making
of our laws, for more than sixty days in two
years. no matter what may be their grievances,
unless an official of their own election permits
| them to assemble in extra session.
Resolved. That all attempts to belittle free
institutions by first corrupting and then ridicul
| ing our legislators, and thereupon abolishing
| the sessions Of our legislature. are parts OF
general movement in this country inaugurated
by those who live upon the people. and who
| would be glad to reduce Us to the Russian sys-
| tenn, where no legislature ever assemblies.
Whereas. The farmers Of Minnesota do not as
make one per cent Per snr snnum On ine
| all taxes and expenses, and reasonable compen-
sation for their own time and labor: and whereas
wealth Of the state and bear the major portion
Of the burdens OF the government: therefore.
Resolved. That we demand that the legis-
the 1ntsd States has
| again affirmed it possessed Of. to regulate
freights and charges upon the railroads Of the
this region Of country fair chance for an hon.
Resolved, That while our farmers are TOLL ng
In q severe climate for bare subsistence, we
are opposed to railroad corporations drawing
from them by excessive charges vast sums OF
money. wherewith: First. TO pay plincely sala-
ries to officials. salaries nearly as high as that
Of the president Of the United States; second,
to corrupt our legislatures so as to deny us
papers, to befog and mislead the public; third
| to pay interest on vast quantities of bonds and
| watered stocks, which do not represent one dol
lar Of actual capital paid in. but are simply CO.
| agulated stealage.
Resolved, That we demand such reduction in
the rates Of transportation Of freight and passen
gers on the railroads Of this state, will leave
the companies, after paying their legitimate ex-
penses, . just and reasonable interest ON the
| money invested in the actual construction Of
the roads, but not one dollar on the "stealage"
! or watered stock.
Resolved, That while preserving our present
system Of inspection at terminal points and en-
forcing the railroad laws already passed. we de-
mand for the farmers Of this state an absolutely
free market, with system Of local inspection at
| every station where two hundred Thousand
bushels of grain are annually handled, 80 as to
put stop to the swindling in grades so long
and ruthlessly practiced upon us And to that
end we demand an amendment to the state con-
stttution, with proper legislation hereunder,
| which shall make all attempts to forestan or
monopolize our markets or cheapen our produc-
ttons felonies punishable by law. And we ask
the people to elect legislature that will enact
such laws. and governor and attorney general
who will see that they are executed.
Resolved, That we demand such legislation as
will be efectual to stop. the cheating in the
weight Of farmers productions, now almost uni
| yergaf throughout the state. with such = avstem