River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-03-04

AT the opening of the session the fol
lowing resolution was adopted:

Second Day.
At the opening of the session the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted:
,T4u. cas-, In consequence OF the compe-
ttion of British India, Egypt AMI other
countries IN supplying wheat to England
and other European countries which for
merry got their supply from the American
market, and wher IS, in consequences OF
said competition the price of grain has been
reduced below a living price;
Therefore, be it resolved, That il is an inn
peTative duty of our legislature TO enact
such laws as will reduce the cost of selling
aud moving the grain to the very lowest
cost, aud for that purpose we are in favor
OF a law which will enable the farmers to
ship grain in bags at carload rates.
Gen. James Ii. Baker of the State
Board of Railroad Commissioners adj
dressed the Alliance at length. He said
some of the railroads were not making
money and others were making too
much aud their profits ought to
be divided with the farmers who
raise the wheat Oh their lines.
The grain law has been in vogue
but a short time-since the first of last
September. virtually since the 10Th of
that month. Caution should be used
in proceeding to amend it. The rail-
road commissioners are the servants Of
the farmers. and trust to their wisdom
and inspiration for guidance. The
commissioners are going from station
TO station throughout the state, meet
ing in person the people interested,
snd they hope by next September or
October to be able to give an opinion.
But the grain law, however defective,
should not be- abr0gated. 1t may be
brought to perfection after awhile.
The farmers should not relax the grip
which they have gotten upon the
grain trade of the state.
Ii answer. Gen. Baker said that only
one rCau-the Miiwaukee-ha Oppos-
cd The law with regard to placing fiat
warehouses along its line. We have
told them now, for the last time, that
unless they. within a reasonable time,
accede to the requirements of the law.
we will bring suit against them. The
last conference was only yesterday,
and we told the representatives of the
road that the discussion was now at an
end
1t has been charged. " said a member
Of the Alliance, 'that the elevators of
Minneapolis have remained unlicen,
ed, not because of defect in the law,
bat because the commissioners have
not enforced the law. How is it, lir.
Comm ssioncr?'
Commissioner Murdoch arose to
answer the inquiry. There was an
element in the situation at Nj nneapolis,
he said. which we did not appreciate
last winter Even Mr.. Pillsbury, who
was in the legislature, aid not APP
preciate it. The elevator men at
Minneapolis all came TO us md expect
ed TO take our licenses. IL talking il
over it came out that the wheat is at
IN the bins for the mills regardless of
grade. One half the grain that comes
here goes direct to the mills. As we
have constructed the law, if the wheat
of the different owners is kept separate
the warehouses need not become pub
lie warehouses. The warehouses here
''chose the lesser evil and now keep
the grain of different owners separate.
But all but a small fraction of the grain
received in Minneapolis has been in
spected and weighed by the state. This
situation calls for an amendment to the
law permitting the millers to rent bins
in public houses and mix the grades,
for the purposes of manufacturing
The following committee on the
agricultural farm and experimental
station was announced by the chair
G. L. Smith, A. A. Williams, ID. f.
Myers, H. A. Swaine, w. Muzzy.
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.
At the afternoon session Hon. 1gna-
thus Donnelly from the committee on
resolutions submitted very yolumi-
nous report as follows;
q Resolved, That it is with pride we call
the attention Of the farmers of this state 10
the fact that the only remedial legislation
which the people have Obtained during the
past twenty years, however defective 10
may yet be, is due TO the existence ana
labors Of the Farmers alliance and the
public opinion which 1t has helped to Gre
ale.
Resolved, That the alliance, while not
partisan association, Is political IN the
sense that il seeks TO correct the evils OF
misgovernment through the baiot-bo&;
that its existence has been rendered neces-
sary by the failure of both OF the great pO-
litical parties of our state TO maintain the
rights of the people against corporate az
gression. 49,.
having had complete control of our state
government through all the years during
which the evi of which we comp am nave
arisen, must justly be held responsible Tor
its failure TO abate or abolish them; while
on the other hand, many of the so-cailed
leaders of the Democratic party have been
among the most servile tools OF the rail
roads and rings. While recognizing, there
fore the honesty of the rank and file OF
both parties, we declare our intention to
support no man for office simply because
he Is a Democrat or a Republican, or Is The
nominee of any ring-pacsed caucus or con
lion, In give our sutfrages Wlthoutre
gard 10 party affiliations only 70 those VINO
have proved by theirp past acts their fidelity
TO our interests.
Resolved, That there are really but two
partie in this state tO-day-the people and
their plunderers. The only issue Is; snail
the people keep the fruits of their own
industry or shall the thieves carry them
away. The clamor Of the contendiug
political parties are too often like the
bands and banners of circus procession
which absorb the attention OF the populace
and draw them to the windows, While the
thieves, who accompany the show, are
robbing the houses from the rear.
Resolved, That the interests or all
producers are identical, the millions who
work on the farm find their chief market
and natural allies among the millions VINO
toll in shop and factory The degradation
and impoverishment OF elt' class Z
direct blow at the pr, sperity of TN other.
Tue natural enemies OF both al Ie men
who fasten themselves upon the producers
not satisfied, like the horse leech 70 qqletly
suck a modest living, demand the hons
share and tear and insult while they prey.
Resolved, That the sympathles OF the
tarmers of Minnesota 60 out to the WORK
ingmen of America IN al legitimate effort
to improve their condition and maintain
their standing as American freeman
against the Influences which would trample
them down into Asiatic wTetcbedress.
free government is the rule of the majority
of the people and il cannot endure unless
that majority is educated. enlightened,
virtuous prosperous and contented.
Resolved. That 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 Nov embeF 70 secure a legislature that
will work ia the interest OF the many
against the exactiOHs Of the few.
Resolved, That until all the grievances
of the people are redressed we demand
annual sessions Of the state legislature
The term Of sixty days in two years IS too
short q space for the necessary Legislation
Of q great and rapidly gro wing community
While Il saves Us So 800 every year or
less than cents per head Tor each
iuhahitant. il leaves Us now the helpless
prev Of rings OF plundereTs, by whom the
~ stolen from Us