Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1886-07-30
Official Paper of Griggs County
Platform of the Territorial
Farmers Alliance.

FARMERS Alliance.
Whereas. 1t is a matter Of prime
Importance that the next legislature OF
this Territory should be controlled by
men who are thoroughly in sympathy
with the Alliance movement, it's aims
and purposes, and,
Whereas, In the past the farmers
have left the management OF political
affairs almost entirely in the hands of
professional politicians, and,
Whereas. They have generally isnor-
ed the wishes and interests of the agri-
cultural classes, le@islating in their own
interests. until the burdens upon the
agricultural interests have become too
grieyous to lie borne, the profits of
labor are absorbed by the manipulation
OF mononolies ALREADY gorged to lletl-
ora. f:om the unjust eXtortions wrmr
from honest toll through the machinery
OF such legislation. and,
Whereas, Our only hope of relief
from these evils is ly securing mem
bers of the next legisl;t. .ure. who bv ties
o1 personal interest are IN full sympathy
with our movements; therefore be it
Resolved, AS the sense of this con-
vention, that every member Of the Ali.
lance and allp ractical. operative farmers,
mechanics. and ]aboring men should
consider it theirduty to attend the pri-
lnaries in their districts, and use all
their Influence to put i'm nomination
men who represent our views and also
to pledge every nominee upon the fol-
lowing points:
LIST. 10 favor RAILROAD; commission
elected by the people.
End. 10 favor giving to railroad
commissioners, full power to fix maxi
mum rates and freigl,ts. provided that
such rates be not reduced below a point
to yield reasonable dividends on actual
investment in such roads when rates
are equally divided over the full length
of said road.
Bird. 10 favor taxing all coporate
property in this territory at the rates
IilttI ldlHl property Is taxed.
4th. 10 favor taxing all mortgages
recorded in this territory. and EXEMPT
ING SO much of the mortgaged property
from taxation as shall equal in value
the mortgage.
5tl. 10 favor revising the insurance
laws SO that our citizens may be fully
protected from the practices of dis
honest insurance agents.
9th TO favor prohibiting the COL
lection of attorneys fees upon any
botes or mortgages.
9TH. TO favor fixing the maximum
rate of interest at 10 per cent, and no
agent to be allowed more than two per
cent for negotiating. and to make it a
mIsdemeanor punishable by fine and
imprisonment to violate these provis-
ions. and proof usury to be bar to the
collection Of any part of the debt or in
terest.
Resolved, That any person nomina.
ell for legislative office who shall re-
fuse to subscribe to these pledges is un-
worthy Of the suffrage OF any member
OF this order or the laboring or produc-
ing classes of this territory.
Resolved. That we will not consent
to any motion looking towards the re-
peal or lowering of our present exemp-
tion laws.
Resolved. That we are in favor of
such legislation us will secure us free
market for our produce.
Resolved That we favor the passage
OF law prohibiting. under penalty of
fine and forfeiture OF office. the accept
ancc by the members Of our legislature
and state and county officers and of
members of the judiciary. OF passes
oyer railroads.
Resolved, That we request our dele
gate to congress to urge the passage Of
the Standish bill. unanimously recon-
mended by our late legislature. for the
protection of Our timber and mineral
He Saw His Mistake.
A Maine farmer was dragging stones.
and he LOST his stick IN nuf ,