St. Paul daily globe., 1886-04-13
Large Attendance at the Organization OF
the Washington County Farmers
Alliance.
Worthless Politicians Who Accept Brides
From MOnopOlists Must be Crushed
Out, -
And Honest Men Elected to the State
and National Legislatures by
the Farmers.
A Busy Day In saltwater --Council
To-Night--Court Cullings--
Jury List--Notes.
washington County Farmers.


The subordinate farmers alliances in
Washington county now number six, and
are not only increasing in number but are
growing rapidly in membership. The or
ganizations now existing and the member
ship of each are: st. CroiX alliance Ma
rine), 40 members; Point Douglas alliance,
10 members; Oneka alliance, Al members;
Baytown and Lakeland alliance, 25 MEN,
bers; Grant alliance, 81 members, Scandal
(Marine) alliance, So members. Repre-
sentatives of these bodies met at the court
house yesterday for the purpose of estab-
fishing a central organization to be known
as the Washington County Farmers al
lance, the attendance being large, as many
not delegates were present and showed deep
interest in the proceedings.
The meeting was called to order by 5.
w. Powell, secretary of the Grant alliance,
after which John b. Taft of Grant alliance
and John Kitty of st. CroiX alliance, were
chosen temporary chairman and secretary,
respectively.
Mr.. Powell addressed the convention, stat
ing the object of the meeting, and continuing
said: 1--WE mean by the calling of this con-
vention to secure harmony OF feeling and
unity of action between farmers from the
ize central headquarters that from time to
time all may come together for an inter
change of ideas and opinions and for discus
sion of matters of financial moment One in
stance of the Importance of
COMBINED ACTION
is furnished in the evils attending the farm
machinery business. That is a matter of
great Importance in this section, where every
farmer tiling over 100 acres must of neces-
sity carry full line of farm implements. As
II is now, and has been for twenty-four
years, the prices of agricultural implements
are beyond the bounds of all reason. The
prices are advanced and maintained through
the agency of mddle-men. The latter reap
the fruits of our toll. Weare bound to cry u
halt upon them and ask the manufacturers to
deal with US more directly through man of
our own chosing and who shall be under our
control. There are factories right in our
midst. but to the farmer their benefits small.
for it is u fact that from our immediate man.
ufactorieS farm machines are shipped hence
and sold in the state of New York 20 per cent.
cheaper than they are sold under the shadow
of the harvester works. 1t is the duty
of the farmers to significantly inter-
view these manufacturers, and its the
duty of the latter to listen. Representatives
from each subordinate alliance should be ap-
pointed TO consult, devise and report some
plan whereby direct dealings with the man
ufacturers may be granted or compelled.
Another thing, farmers should be made
more to appreciate their dignity and import
ance as American citizens equal members of
the body polite. Numerically, / am in
formed, we are as strong as representatives
of all other lines of occupation combined,
and united we can weld power that will be
felt and needed at the seat of the National
Government. Let all unite and crush for
ever the entire brood of
WORTHLESS POLITICIANS
who have lived off us for twenty years.
They go to congress, accept bribes from mo-
nopolists and corporations and vote for GEN.
traliZatiOn Of power and against the welfare
of the people. How shall we right this curse?
Not by staying ut home and growing at the
OppressOrs. We must see that the right men
are placed in office. We must attend the
caucus and see that men of worth and in
tegrity, not politicians, are nominated aud
then we must combine and elect to our state
and national Legislature those men who are
fit to represent us.
Hugh Campbell, of the st. Croix Alliance.
vice-president of the state alliance and mem-
Der of the state executive board, though not
delegate, was called upon. He spoke very
briefly indeed, merely emphasizing the i'm
perative necessity of united action and of
frequent mass conferences among farmers
The committee appointed by the chair on
credentials, composed of E. r. Jones, G. A.
Peterson and James Shearer, reported the
following entitled to seats as delegates:
st. CroiX Alliance-C. A. Rutherford, P
Whalen.
Point-Douglas Alliance-T. P. James, James
Shearer.
Oneka Alliance-F. V, Briggs William Hoo
kins, r. Stephens.
Baytown and Lakeland Alliance-Jeremiah
Whalen, Ed Mackey.
Grant Alliances. W. Powell, ]. B. Taft,
E. X. Jones.
Scandia Alliance-C. A. Peterson.
The report was adopted, and the election
PERMANENT OFFICERS
to serve until July 1 was proceeded with.
the formal ballot for president resulting:
Taft, 3; Powell, 3; Campbell. 3: +. II.
Jones, 3; and l each for John Kitty, o. l..
Kinyon and James Shearer. Mr.. Camp
bell pleaded the fact that he already
held two offices under the
state organization and withdrew his
name. The formal ballot was a tie. Taft
receiving z, Powell 4, Kinyon 2, Jones l.
On motion, Mr.. Taft was then nominated
by acclamation and unanimously. The
first ballot for vice president gave Jones 5,
Kinyon 3, Kitty 5, Shearer, Hopkins, Pow
ell and Stephens each. On the second
ballot Jones received and Kitty 3, and on
the third Shearer received and Jones 2,
there being no choice, but on motion, Mr..
Shearer was declared the nominee.
For secretary, John Kitty of ST. Croix
alliance received majority of two votes.
w. +. Briggs of Oneka alliance, for treas
urer. received votes on the first ballot and
was then nominated by acclamation.
On motion, II. p. James and James
Shearer were appointed and given power to
select third, the three to constitute COM
mlttee on constitution and bylaws, to be
reported at the next meeting.
On motion of Mr.. Campbell il was de-
cided that to the next meeting of the county
alliance, each subordinate alliance be al
lowed to send five delegates.
The next meeting was fixed for Monday.
May IL, for 2 o'clock p. m. Considerable
discussion was INDUCED in as to the exact
place of the next meeting so far
as a, hall was concerned. 1t was
conceded on all sides that the Nav session
would draw large attendance of farmers
and others, and that a room of sufficient
size must be secured. The county conrt
room could not be had, of course. in case
the May term of the district court sbonId
be in progress at that time. The matter
was finally left open and the meeting place
will be announced hereafter.
A prominent member of the WASHINGTON
County Farmers alliance said Yesterday
that he is informed by the state secretary
that the Minnesota alliances are receiving
500 new members daily.
SKETCH OF THE PRESIDENT
John B. Taft president of the Washing.
nm