The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-02-02
DEMANDS OF THE NATIONAL
FARMERS ALLIANCE UPON
CONGRESS,

81 -
Below we print in full the demands
made by the National Farmers ALI
anee In convention at Shreveport.
They are sound tofthe core and show
In ringing language the more impor-
tant purposes of this great body, and
the ends they propose to achieve.
This bodyawas composed of farmers
representing all the Southern States,
and the resolutions appended were
passed unanimously,
Resolved, That we. the National
Farmers Alliance and Cooperative
Union of America, in convention as
sembled, advocate and endorse the fol-
lowing principles as in accord with the
sentiments and demands Of the ti1lers
of thessoil:
lst. We demand, first, the recogni-
ton, by incorporation, of trades,
unions, cooperative stores and such
thoer associations as may be organized
by the industrial classes to improve
their financial condition, or promote
their general welfare.
I'd. We demand that the all public
lands be held in small bodies, not ex-
ceeding three hundred and twenty
acres to each purchaser, for actual set
tiers, on easy terms of payment.
Sd. That large bodies of land held
by private individuals or corporations,
shall be assessed for taxation, at such
rates as they are offered to purchasers,
or a credit of one, two and three years,
in bodies of one hundred and sixty
acres or less.
4th That whereas, large bodies of
our public lands, have been sold to
foreign capitalists, thus tending to the
establishment of a landed ~aristocracy
in this country, similar to that which
has reduced the people of Ireland, and
other monarchical Governments, to a
condition of abject serfdom; we de-
mand the passage of laws forbidding
the ownership Of lands, by aliens, whose
allegiance belongs to other nations,
and hat the public domain be held as
the heritage of aur own people and our
children after us.
9Th. That all lands forfeitable by
railroads or other corporations, imme-
diately revert to the government and
be declared open for purchase by actual
settlers, on the same terms as other
public lands.
7th. We demand that all fences be
removed, by force if necessary, from
public lands unlawfully fenced by cat
tie companies, syndicates, or any other
form Or name of monopoly.
Sth. We demand the extinguish-
ment of the public debt of the United
States by operating the minis to their
fullest capacity, in coming silver and
gold: and the rendering of the same
without discrimination, to the public
creditors of the Nation, according to
contract.
9th. We demand the substitution
of legaltender treasury notes for the
issues Of national banks; that the
Congress of the United States shall
regulate the amount Of such issue by
per capita circulation, that shall in
crease and keep pace with the growth
of the country's population, and the
expansion of her business interests.
We further demand the repeal of the
present National banking system.
10th. We demand that the depart
ment of agriculture be made one of
the departments of State that it shall
be increased in scope and efficiency,
and in connection therewith. there
shall be established a bureau of labor
statistics. .5Fr- 3
18th. We demand the enactment of
laws to compel corporations to pay
their employees according to contract,
in lawful money for their services,
and the giving to mechanics and
laborers a first lien upon the products
Of their labor to the extent Of their
full wages.
18th, That the laws relating to the
suppression Of the Transmission of i'm
moral, p~rofane or obscene literature
through the mails, be. made more
stringent; and be extended so as to
suppress the transmission of such
literature by any public carrier.
18th. We demand that the q. S.:
Government purchase, BY right of.
eminent domain the telephone and
telegraph lines. and operate them as:
adjunets of the U. S.. postal service: :
14th. That in view Of the. fact that
the delegates to this body represent a
majority of the cotton producers of