St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-26

cordlng 10 thelr own statement. has got away
with cool million. Let's cut down the profits
Of the railroads one-half now and then delib-
crate.
The following committee on the agricul-
tural farm and experimental station was an
nounced by the chair: G. L. Smith, A. A.
Williams, ID. Z. Myers, IL. A. Swaine, w.
Muzzy.
Adjourned until p. N.
IN THE AFTERNOON
president Sprague called the convention TO
order at 2:30 O'Clock. Hon. Ignatius DON
nelly, as chairman Of the committee on reso-
luuons, signified bis readiness to report, and
pretaced the reading Of the resolutions by
saying that they we're necessarily voluminous
and that the number and length OF the COM
plants therein contained WAS the best eyi-
dence Of the serious character Of the griev-
ances.
tenton Of the farmers of this state 20 the fact that
the only remedial legislation which the people
have obtained during the past twenty years, how
ever detective II may yet be, IS due 20 the exist
ence and labors of the Farmers alliance and the
public opinion which it has helped TO create.
Resolved, That the alliance, while not parti-
san association is political in the sense that il
seeks 20 correct the evils Of nisgOvernmeDt
through the ballotbox; that its existence has been
rendered recessary by the failure Of both Of the
great political parties Of our state 20 maintain the
rights of the people against corporate aggression.
Resolved, That the Republican party having z
had complete control OF our state government
! -
which complain have arisen, must justly be
held responsible for its failure to abate abOl-
ish them; while the other hand, many Of the
sO-called leaders OF the Democratic party have
been among the most servile tools Of the railroads
and rings While recognizing, therefore, the hon
| esty OF the rank and file of both parties, de-
clare our intention 10 support no man for Office
simply because he is a Democrat or a Republican,
or IS the nominee Of any ring-packed caucus or
convention, but TO give our sufirages without re-
gard to party affiliations only to those who have
hL hair ucFs in
terests.
Resolved, That there are really but two parties
IN this state to-day-the people and their plum
derers. The only issue is: Shall the peopleskeep
the fruits of their own industry or shall the
thieves carry them away The clamor OF the con-
tending political parties are too often ike the
bands and banners OF circus procession which
absorb the attention of the populace and draw
them 20 the windows, while the thieves, who ac-
company the show, are rObbing the houses from
the rear.
Resolved, That the interests Of all producers
are identical. the millions who work on the farm
lind their chief market and natural allies among
the millions who toll in shop and factory. The
degradation and impoverishment of either class
IS direct blow AZ the prosperity Of the other.
The natural enemies Of both are the men who
fasten themselves upon the producers TO get
something for nothing, and who, not satisfied, like
the horse leech TO quietly suck a modest living,
demand the lions share and tear and insult while
they prey.
Resolved, That the sympathies Of the f.rmers
OF Minnesota go out TO the workngmen Of Amer
lea in all legitimate efforts TO improve their
condition and maintain their standing a. Amer
lean freeman against the Influences which would
trample them down into Asiatic wretchedness. A
free government is the rule Of the majority Of the
people and IL cannot endure unless that majority
IL educated. enlightened, yirtuous, prosperous
and contented.
Resolved, That we call upon all producers and
all persons interested in the prosperity OF the pro-
cucers Of this state in town and country. upon all
merchants, laboring men. mechanics and profess
sioEa men TO unite with Us ut the ballot box next
November 10 secure legislature that viii work
in the interest of the many against the exactions
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 space for the necessary
legislation Of great and rapidly growing COM
munity. While il saves us S37, 800 every year, or
less than cents per head for each inhabitant. il
leaves us now the helpless prey Of rings of plum
derers, by whom the millions of dollars are stolen
from us annually. IL is saving at the spgot and
wasting at the bung." IL is shameful thing that
Il free people should so tie their own hands that
they cannot exercise self-government in its high
est prerogative-the making Of their own laws
for more han sixty days in two years. no matter
what may be their grievances. unless an official of
their own election permits them 20 assemble in
extra session.
Resolved, That all attempts TO belittle free in
stitutons by first coFrupfing and then ridculing
our Legislators and thereupon abolishing the
services of our legislature parts of a general
movement in this country inaugurated by those
VINO I'VE upon tne people anu VINO would be glad
TO reduce US TO the russian system, where no leg
islature ever assemblies. The true remedy for
bad legislation Is 10 be found in purer hearts
higher motives and greater interest in politics
among the people. The first duty Of a man in a
free country is to be thoroughly politician in the
highest sense OF the word.
Whereas, The farmers Of Minnesota do not as
class make per cent. per annuln on the vaiue of
their land and plant after deducting all taxes
and expenses and reasonable compensation for
their own time and labor, and,
FWhereas, They produce the greater part Of the
real wealth of the state and bear the major part
Of the burdens Of the government, therefore,
Resolved, That we demand that the legislature
shall exercise the powers which the supreme court
of the United States has time and again affirmed
il is possessed o. 10 regulate freightS and charges
upon the railroads of the state, as TO give those
who have settled in this region OF the country a
fair chance for an honest living.
Resolved, That while our farmers are toiling
in a severe climate for a bare subsistence We are
opposed 20 railroad corporations drawing from
them by excessive charges vast sums OF money,
wherewith
First-To pay princely salaries 10 officials
salaries nearly as high as that OF the president OF
the United States.
second-To corrupt our legislature so as to deny
remedial legislation.
Third-To buy UP newspapers TO befog and
mislead the people.
Fourth-To pay interest on vast quantities of
bonds and watered stocks which do not represent
one dollar Of actual capital paid in, but simply
cOagulated stealage.
q
the people of this state, not on their own lands
alone but their labor and their lives and the
labor and lives of their children. and which like
tie eXactions OF the Irish landlords viii increase
in due proportion to any increase in the industry
and economy of the people so that the people can
not work so hard or live poor that their extor-
tons Will not follow them down into the depths of
their poverty.
Resolved. That we demand such q reduction in
the rates of transportation of freight and psssen-
gers the railroads of this state will leave the
farfaF.n Nf.a-N el.r.s- L.
n Just and reasonable interest on the money in
vested in the actual construction OF the road but
not one dollar OF the ''stealage' 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 absolutely
free market with system of local inspection at
every station where 100000 bushels of grain are
annually handled so as to put stop TO the swind-
ling in grades so long and ruthlessly Dracticed
upon And to that end we demand an amend
ment TO the state constitution with proper legis-
lation Hereunder. which shall make ali attempts
TO forestau or monopOliZe our markets, or cheaper
our production, felonies punishable criminal
conspiracies are now punishable by law. And we
ask the people TO elect n legislature that will
enact such laws and 4 governor and attorney gem
eral who will see that they are executed.
Resolved That we demand such legislation as
will be effectual TO stop the cheating in the weight
of farmers productions, now almost universal
throughout the state, with such system of heavy
fines and large rewards to parties complaining as
Will insure the execution of the law.
Resolved. That silver coin constitutes one-hnlf
the real money of the world; that it has been rec
ognized as money since the time of Abraham;
that il is named in the constitution of the United
States as legal tender money; that TO abolish il
now throughout the world would be TO reduce the
volume of metallic money one-haf. thereby
doubling the purchasing power OF gold and de-
creasing in like ratio the value OF all forms of
property, including labor.
Resolved, That we denounce any such attempt
as the result of vast European conspiracy
against human nature, a scheme 10 double the
mortgage and halve the farm; TO increase the ma
tional bond and decrease the power of the people
70 pay il; TO intensity the struggle for food and
LIE among the swarmng millions, that few thou
sands may riot in wasteful abundance; in short,
TO build up the meanest and the cruelest of all