The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-04-26

farmers alliance, makes the following re-
ply to the current criticism upon the ex-
ecutive committee of that organization
Perhaps in the history of state politics
there has never been a set of men so much
abused within the same length of time as
has been the executive committee of the
state farmers alliance. Now that it has
reached q point where the fair-1ninded
portion of the community will be in
condition to take q dispassiOnate view of
the subject, would it not be we'll to stop
and ask what it has all been about? Be
it far from me to call in question the in
telligence, integrity, and eminent respect
ability of the gentlemen composing the
press OF this state, yet in this case they
have certainly acted like a community of
old women gOssips. Now let us get at
the facts III the case. The executive COM
mittee of the state farmers alliancein St.
Paul, March 20, passed a resolution rec
ommending Albert Scheffer for governor
Now, what is there wrong about that?
In what does it differ from the position
that the alliance has always occupied in
such matters? The press of the state ig-
norantly maudles over the running ofthe
alliance into politics, not being sufficient
ly we'll informed to know that the alliance
is almost purely political organizations
Almost it's entire object has been and is
to control legislation in the interests of
the people by all honorable and legiti-
mate means within its power. 1t is true
we never before recommended a candi-
date for governor, and would not now if
it were not for the fact that we find the
greatest difficulty in having laws proper
ly enforced that we have had enacted af-
ter years of effort. Is not that a suffi-
Gent reason for the step? Every business
man of average means and every labor
ing man is as much interested in the mat
ter as we are. The question at stake is
whether the masses of the people have
rights that corporate power is bound to
respect. We think they have, and on
this issue we welcome every man who
has sufficient courage to stand with u.s.
There is one phase of this discussion that
has surprised me very much, and that is
the disposition of the republican press to
read Mr.. Scheffer out of the republican
party on account of his asserting to the
principles promulgated by the alliance.
think l am safe in saying that not one
candidate who is seeking the guberna-
torial nomination on the republican tick
ct but expressed himself as being quite as
has Mr.. Scheffer, not in writing, but verb
ally. But let us analyze the platform
and see if there is anything in it that is
not republican.
Mr.. Atwood here repeats the platform
and says:
There are just three points in these
principles on which there may be a rad
ical difference of opinion. First, as to
the mode of taxing railroads; second, as
to the valuation on which they should
pay reasonable interest; third, as to
the wisdom of separating the agricultur-
al college from the university. These
points have not the slightest relation to
partisan politics. The other points are
first, there shall be no discrimination by
corporations against persons or places
second, that the humblest individual
shall have the same rights as the million
aire; third, there shall be radical re-
duction of the tariff; fourth, all appoint
ments to be made for fitness, and not to
pay political debts. These are the prin-
ciples that Mr.. Scfeffer Endorsed mo more
and no less. Does the republican press
vi SiiS oSetSN hiNe'ii W 90 lliclI tliS uctNS
no place in the republican party? Do
they mean to say that there shall be no
radical reduction of the tariff? That
there shall be Determinations between
persons and places by corporations?
That the humblest individual shall not
stand on an equality with the million
aire? that all appointments shall not be
made for fitness. but to pay political
debts? IF they take that position then
let them read Albert Schetfer out of the
republican party, and let them read every
other honest man out with him. l have
been a republican all my life, but if men
are to be driven out for embracing such
principles, shall be glad to be martyr
l am satisfied however, that the repre-
sentative masses of the republican party
will not object to these principles, but
will adopt them as they have before done
in substance. 1t has been asserted again
and again that the committee do not rep
resent the farmers of the state. Well,
that remains to be seen. The committee
has no reason to be disturbed about the
matter. The farmers are too busy to be
called from their work to attend dele
gate convention; but if later on it is
thought wise to call such convention
to express the sentiment of the farmers
of the state the committee have no fears
of the result.