The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1889-07-05
Farmers' Allianee Conye.,ionI !

BY President Loucks, Ira Lampman, of Barnes,
Fancher of Stutsmau, johnson Of Nelson,
and others. President Loucks in his opening
address advocated tho control Of the railroads
and all public necessities BY the general gov
ernment dwelt upon the evils Of the spols
system, aud Of the policy Of boarding vast
sums in the national treasury. he fully dis
cuseed the matters Of most vital interest to
farmers, saying: There are three cardinal
principles, as stated by the organizers Of the
alliance nine years ago. They are social, f.
nancial and political. To the first educational
should be added. The necessity Of education
and the forming Of closer social ties require
no discussion. As to the financial part
where local dealers handle machinery on a
fair margin, support them. But when they
charge too much (as has often been the case)
we farmers have perfect right and necessity
compels us to buy direct. In tho insurance
department a very great saving has been made,
besides keeping the money paid as premiums
In Dakota, whore 1t is needed. As to wheat
raising, we have stopped where the profit be-
gins. We have been producing at cost and Of
ten at loss. Still Immense sums have been
made in wheat raising, but our brother farm
ers who ship the wheat, who store 1t and who
grind II, are tho ones who are making the
money. These men raise it-from just where
the producer drops it. II we are to profit by
our work We must come nearer the consumer
Politicians give us lots Of advice saying, "Tho
alliance is doing grand work, only leave pol
itcs alone. Politics is dirty pool not fit
for you; leave it to us"' In all seriousness, if
politics are degraded to that level, is it not
time that we should purify them. Haven't we,
farmers, right to engage in politics? This is
government Of the people, Of the majority,
and We are four-Gfths Of the people. Why
then shouldn't we have our say? We have al.
lowed the other one.fifth to rule us and to
make laws for US. Is it any wonder they have
made laws favoring themselves and against
us, though we are large majority Of the peo,
pie. 1n the early days Of the republic We bad
farmer presidents, a majority in tue national
senate aud house Of representatives and in
nearly every state legislature. Then the farm
ors owned three-fourths of tee wealth, now
considerably less than one-fourtl,, and very lit
tic representation in congress, not having
single senator aud but few representatives. OF
late We have been poor citizens, not seeing to
it that the welfare Of the people is subseryed.
This work we must take up again. Shall We
form an alliance partyP No. Let it be dis
tinctly understood that the policy of tho Ma
tional alliance and OF the Dakota alliance is to
work through the present parties. We farm
ers are largo majority Of both parties, and
the majority Of course should say who should
have tho offices and what tho legislature shaI!
be. We arc accused Of "wanting tho earth.'
Well, what Of it? Who uses the earth more
than We do? There arc certain Of these offices
that We must have, but We are broad gauged
and will not ask all that our number rs to. In
the matter Of representation ho claimed for
the farmers both Of tho United States senators,
congressman, governor, lieutenant governor,
and the majority Of both houses of the legisla-
ture and Of the railroad commissioners. He
conceded to the newspapers the authorship;
to school teachers, superintendent of schools;
to BUSINESS mon commissioners of public
lands, aud to lawyers judgsLips and attorney
genoralship.
A central committee consisting OF F. B.
Fancher, D. S. Dodds and Walter Muir were
appointed to arrange the coming campaign
and were given authority to appoint county
and precinct committees. 1t was determined
to invite tue cooperation of labor organza-
tions in the work Of political reform.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the farmers and laborers Of
North Dakota, believing that God helps those
who helps themselves, pledge our most earn.
est effort to assist in laying tho foundation of
our new and grand state Oh broad aud gene
r0us plan. aud our most earnest effort to Sc
cure full representation ut all primaries and
elect such delegates as will, at the vari-
Gus conventions to which they are accredited,
place in nomination men who are identified
with our interests. That every legitimate in-
terest is entitled 10 representation In all legls-
lative bodies proportionate to its numbers.
That it is the sentiment Of this alliance that
our object can be best attained through tue
machinery Of our respective parties, as We are
in large majority in both Of them, and we
have only to make systematic effort to possess
them. That the use Of proxies should he min-
mont we favor something similar to the Aus
traIlan system Of ballotng; that We are in IA
vor Of equal rights and justice to all; that we
demand Of tho republican and democratic cell
trail committees that they call state conventions
not earlier than Sept l nor later than Sept.
| IL, so that the farmers may be able to attend.
That we regard with unfeigned displeasure
atlas ~ rfoin ~ t1,o 20
known, honored and trusted character of our
| officers aud leaders. That the Jamestown
Capital is tue official paper Of the alliance and
commend 1t to the farmers, expresses entire
sympathy with the sentiments expressed by
POwderIy to Loucks read before tho conven-
ton, reafIirlns prohibition resolutions adopted
at jamestown, endorses president Loucks, rec
ognizing in him an able, wise, and conssrva-
tive leader, who has not been debarred from
conscious discharge Of his duties by fear, fiat.
tsry or threats.
The following platform was adopted: All
public necessities so far as practicable, should
be owned and controlled by tho government,
and managed in such way that no class shall
be allowed to exact unjust rates for the use
thereof. Our railroads should be controlled by
the government, 50 as to be run in the inter-
ests Of the people upon an actual cost basis.
We reaffirm the principles Of the alliances as
laid down in the former national and terrific
rial alliance platform and pledge our renewed
allegience and fidelity to those principles. We
advocate equal and just taxation Of property,
prohibition state, aud the slecting Of Uni
tod States senators BY direct vote of tho peo
pie Of each state; courts Of arbitration that
justice not precedent may govern; the Austria