The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-19
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE.
4 State Organization Efected-The Objects
of the New Secret O-der-Similar
to those of the Grange-So
Politics.
Especial to News and Courier. |


from the various sub-alliaaces of the
Farmers Alliance met in secret session
this morning at 10 o'clock for the pur-
pose of perfecting an organization of a
State Alliance. The attendance was
large, so large that Barringer's Hall was
filled to suffocation. The enthusiasm
Of the delegates was unbounded. A
temporary organization was effected by
the election of the following officers:
President, E. T. Stackhouse, OF Marion;
vice president, F. P. Taylor, of Chester
field; secretary, j. W. Reid, of Spartan
burg; treasurer, J. F. Breeden, of Marl-
boro; doorkeeper, J. Z. Pettigru, of
Darlington; assistant doorkeeper, H.
McRae, of Marion; chaplain, the Rev.
J. H. Turner, of Chesterfield; sergeant
at-arms,J Eugene Jernigan, of Marion.
The State Alliance was permanently
organized by the election of the follow
ing officers: President, Gen. E. T.
Stackhouse, Marion; vice president, J.
d. Breeder, Marlboro; secretary, J. w.
Reed, Spartanburg; treasurer, +. P.
Tayl;r, Chesterfield; chaplain, James
Douglas, Fairfield; lecturer, J. E. Petit
grew, Darlington; assistant lecturer,
Hector McRae, Marion; doorkeeper. E.
l.. Brown, Williamsburg; assistant
doorkeeper, A R. Whaller, Horny; ser
geant-at-arms, J. E. Jarnigan, Marion.
The State executive committee is
composed of the following: F. P.
Mitchell, Fairfield; S. T. D. Lancaster,
Spartanburg, and Lucas Mcintosh,
Darlington.
A distinguished visitor in the person
Of Col. L. L. Polk, of Raleigh, North
Carolina, first vice president of the
National Alliance and editor of the
Progressive Farmer, contributed inval
liable service in the propagation of this
enterprise by his wise counsel and en-
couagement.
To-nighta public meeting was held
1T which addresses were made by the
Hon. D. X. Norris and Col. Polk. The
former occupied short time in the de-
livery Of practical and instructive
speech. The latter spoke for an hour to
I. very large and appreciative audience.
Col. Polk's reputation as an orator had
preceded him and the people were not
disappointed. Hisremarks were freight
ed with practical information incident
to modern agriculture, while he became
eloquent in his advice to farmers rela-
tive to their financial management, en-
ploying illustrations throughout as
amusing as they were appropriate.
The Convention is just getting down
to real work. 1t will be in session all
day tomorrow, and may be able to ad-
journ tomorrow night.
There is considerable interest mani
tested in the election of the permanent
State officers, and not few candidates
are in the field. None OF the offices
will go o-begging. 1t is generally con-
ceded that Col. E. T. Stackhouse will
be retained as president.
The Strength of the Movement.
The Order has evidently obtained
strong hold on many of the best farmers
of the State. The delegates are fine
specimens Of the best class of farmers.
They are generally men whose capital
consists more in land, labor and char
acter than in bonds and moneys. They
dress well and have a general air of
hard work and thrift about them. They
seem to have the utmost faith in the
Alliance, and look to itas the only solu-
ton of many questions that have wor-
ried the tillers of the soil for many years
past. They all wear faces that show
full confidence that they are on the eve
of & new and a better era in the agri-
cultural development of the State.
THE STRENGTH OF THE ALLIANCE.
The Farmers Alliance is, compare
lively speaking, newcomer in South
Carolina, but since its arrival it has
spread and increased with rapidity
unparalleled in the history Of any or
ganization Of like character in this
State. It is we'll established in the
West, Southwest and Northwest, where
it has a membership that embraces
nearly tho entire agricultural popula-
ton. The Order is also rapidly being
introduced into the Southern States.
zGEn fact, every State in the South has
late organization. North Carolina
!. well organized and its farmers are
enthusiastic over the practical benefits
they are daily receiving from their con-
,,.ction with the Order. It was from
thc old North State that the Alliance
came into South Carolina. It first
made its appearance in the counties
along the border. The first sub-alliance
was formed in Marion County last fall
by an organizer from Anson County,
y. c. Most of the organizers now at
work are from North Carolina, as that
State can claim three of the four in the
fled. The Rev. T. W. kenell, DR.. D. G.
Tillma1AS4.ta-ass.s Laughlin are
-ae Capt. J. D,
II South Caro-
- IN ,,,S.,SciDoi
The plan of the National Alliance is
to have an organizer employed in each
Congressional district of the State, but
the friends of the movement here seem
to think that they have work for an
organizer in every county. The Order
is attracting attention all over the
State, and the demand for information