The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-04-05
THE ALLIANCE PLATFORM.

We submit for your careful considera-
ton the declaration of rights adopted
Feb. 25th, 1886, at Minneapolis, the adj
dress and resolutions adopted by the
Farmers alliance, Feb. end, 1888, at St.
Paul, and the address o. the national al
lance to the American people, adopted
Minneapolis Oct. 8, 1888. You will OBJ
serve among the many propositions en-
braced in these documents are the follow
ing: ..
F1rst-the smallest village must have
the use of the railway tracks on the same
terms as the largest city. the humblest
individual the same rights as the million
aire; there must be no discrimination
against persons or places. Rates on rail
roads should be so adjusted as to pro-
vide for operating and maintaining ex-
penses, and in addition thereto reason
able rate of interest on the actual cost of
the road and equipment not to exceed in
the state at large an average of $40, 900
for single track railroads. Duluth, St.
Paul, Minneapolis, and all other points
in the state must be reached at the same
rates per ton per mile, as Chicago is
reached per ton per mile. with reaaon-
able terminal and transfer charges in adj
dition to the mileage charges.
The constitution of this state should be
so amended that railway property should
be taxed as other property is taxed.
The shipper must have the right to
choose his market and the route to reach
that market.
We denounce the present mode of pay
ing gross sum into the state treasury
as inequitable and unfair to the people of
the sections through which the roads ex-
tend, and we demand that laws be en-
acted requiring railroad property to pay
its lust proportion of state county town
| and school district taxes.
Free passes and free mileage should be
prohibited.
We demand the separation of the ag-
ricultural college from the state univer-
sity.
We demand radical reduction of the
tariff.
Country elevators must not be bonded.
Cars must be furnished to shippers on
| demand.
All appointments must be made for fit
ness and not to pay political debts.
The platform was arranged, says the
Pioneer-Press, at secret meeting held
on Wednesday evening, Immediately af-
ter the alliance committee adjourned. At
that meeting were Messrs. Furlong, Can
ming, Olson, Farley and Barrett of the
alliance. In another room Hixon & Co.
held consultation and completed the
plans to have the platform accepted by
the alliance, which scheme worked only
as such fine political workers as Hixon,
Barrel & Co. can work scheme of that
sort.
The following is the address which was
passed by a vote of five to three, presi-
dent Atwood declining to vote:
From the executive committee of the
state Farmers Alliance to the people
oflfinnesota:
For two years past we have come up
to the capital with our grievances, ask
ing our state authorities and state con-
ventions for relief. We have invariably
received fair promises, and experience
proves that these were only made to be
broken-mere stepping stones to places
of trust and honor. For righteous acts
we get sympathetic words; officials, in
stead of enforcing the laws, have become
hungry politicians, Office seekers, jobbers,
who would barter their birthright for a
mess ofpottage. The people of this state
are subjects of a cruel, relentless system
of robbery that forces them to pay exor-
bitant prices for all they buy, and de-
prives them of a free market for what
they sell. Unjust determinations against
persons and places is practiced with inn
punity. Laws enacted to relieve the
people are dead letter, or perverted and
made of no effect. Laws are framed and
forged in favor of monopolists: corrup-
ton reigns in high places. All over the
country there are hirelings at work to
perpetuate this power: cunning knaves,
talking party predjudices to hide their
own sins and lead off the people to the
polls like sheep to the slaughter. The
needs of the hour are sterling manhood,
independent, intelligent, vigorous action.
The oath of office is the highest pledge,
and should be held sacred. Perjured
recreants should be branded with ever
lasting shame and relegated to the place
provided for them-the penitentiary.
| While we do not assume to dictate to
the members of the alliance of the state
at large, and have no authority to place
in nomination candidates for any office
under the rules of our organization, we
nevertheless recommend that the men,
| bers of the alliance and farmers through
| out the state, use their utmost endeavors
| to place in nomination for legislative, ex-
ecutive, and judicial Offices men who are
known to be in sympathy with the prin-
| clples of the alliance as expressed by our
platform of principles, and in this con-
nection it does not seem improper for us
to recommend Albert Scheffer for COVER
| nor of this state. His past record, as
| x,Oes%;o,, o,,{;&1oc
| we believe, to the confidence of those who
are in sympathy with the principles we
advocate.
In order to round out the record, the
full text of Mr.. Schefer's letter of accept
! ance is thrown in. 1t is as follows:
To E. II. Atwood, president, and the ex-
ecutive committee of'the Farmers Al
lance of the state of Minnesota-
DEAR SIRs-Yours ofthis date, in which
you recommend me to the members of
| the alliance, to the farmers and laboring
| men of Minnesota, as candidate for the
position of governor of Minnesota, has
been received.
Icould not, if would, disguise the fact
that should esteem such honor as would
be conferred by selecting me as chief mag
istrate of this great state. have scarce
ly dared to hope for a station so exalted,
because will not stoop to the ordinary
political methods, whereby in these latter
days nomination is secured.
For weeks past from various portions
of the state, have been asked to permit
the use of my name, and am free to con-
TESS that the character and number of
these requests have been very gratifying.
The resolutions of confidence and recon-
mendation adopted by you are, consider
ing their source and the attendant cir
cumstances, compliment which fully
appreciate. But for your action would
not have consented to the use ofmy name
and because of your action lido now con-
sent, and hereby announce my candidacy
for nomination by the next republican
convention.
have been warned that it is hopeless
to expect nomination because of my
well settled determination not to pledge
any emolument whatever in the shape of
office or of pecuniary benefit. I am led
to consent to the use of my name because
have full confidence that the people of
our state are ready to revolt against &C
customed political methods, and should
regard your resolutions little more than
a passing compliment if did not believe