The Globe-republican., 1889-12-18
FARMERS AND LABORERS.
Proceedings Of the Farmers and La
borers' Convention In st. Louis.
An Amalgamation Of the Various Interests
Under the Name Of the National
Farmers' Alliance and In
dustrial Union.

Farmers' Alliance and In
dustrial Union.
First Day.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 4.-Entertainment Hall Of
the Exposition building resounded yester-
day with the stentorian voices of $50 dele
gates who compose the National Farmers
and Laborers' Union convention, and who
represent about 100000 horny handed sons
of toll west Of the Alleghenies. The meeting
was called to order by the National presi-
dent, Evan Jones, of Texas. Mr.. Gardner, OF
Tennessee, occupied the secretary's desk.
Chaplain S. D. Satterwhite offered prayer,
calling for blessings on any good work that
might be accomplished.
Mayor Noonan was introduced and made q
speech of hearty welcome, extending the
freedom of the city TO all the delegates and
members of the convention; in fact, guaran.
teed that they could go anywhere to see the
sights of this great city, from the pauper's
grave to the beautiful art gallery. He con.
-cIuded by saying that he had made arrange
ments for them to see worldly affairs, and he
would step aside and allow Governor Fran
els to arrange for them to visit the churches.
Mr.. j. II. Mcdowell, of Tennessee, vice.
president of the Farmers. and Laborers
Union, responded in a short speech.
Major j. A. Anthony introduced Governor
David r. Francis, who made an address that,
from its first word, caught the Endorsement
and enthusiasm of the farmers, ii frequent
and loud applause was an index to the senti-
ments of the body. The Governor used his
smoothest style in dealing out at some length
sentiments against monopoly, trusts, COM
bines and other organizations that are sup
posed to clutch the threats OF the farmers.
Mr. A. j. Streator, of Illinois, was the next
candidate for applause by weil-delivered
and timely speech.
BY this time the noon hour had arrived,
and the delegates dispersed to satisfy the
inner man.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session began at 1:3O, and
was of the star chamber order. Nobody but
delegates and members of the order who
knew the password were allowed to enter the
ball.
President Jones delivered his message, in
the course of which he said that the Farmers
and Labors' Union was destined to embrace
the entire agricultural element and labOrers
of the world, and would fight the encroach-
nent of rings, trusts and soulless combina-
tiOns, that are absorbing all the profits OF
labor, and thereby paralyzing the industries
Of the country. He recommended cOnsOlida-
fion of the Farmers and Labors' Union with
the National Farmers Alliance and the
Farmers Mutual Benefit Association of the
Northwestern States, which organizations
had representatives in the city. He recon.
mended also the appointment of supreme
judiciary to hear and try all members who
had committed OffenseS. He advised them TO
cultivate the principles of co operation. On
.Ae subject of finance the president spoke as
follows:
at is impossible to have an equitable ad-
fustment of capital and labor SO long as
money is contracted below that which is
adequate to the demands of commerce.;
hence il we would correct the abuses and
powers that are now prOstrating our indus
tries we must have a circulating medium in
sufficient volume to admit of transacting our
business on a cash basis. l recommend that
you demand from the lawmakers that the
coinage of silver be as free as gold, and that
gold and silver be supplemented with treas
ury notes "a full legal tender) in sufficient
amount to furnish circulating medium
commensurate to the business necessities OF
the people"
The president condemned the monopoliza-
sion of lands by railroad corporations, do
mcstic and foreign syndicates, and recon-
mended that the body favor a law prohibit
ing the alien ownership of lands in America.
He also averred that the railroads had OPP
pressed the people by unjust manipulations
of transportation, and recommended that
such legislation be demanded as shall regu-
late and control rates and claSSificatiOnS OF
freigbts.
The president then deplored the snow al
most universal depression that pervades the
tailoring classes of the country and attri-
buted the cause to the corrupting influence of
combines and corporations over our polite
al leaders. While the Farmers and Labor
Srs' Union was strictly non partisan, yet it
could fight these trusts and nlonOpolies.
The afternoon was taken up in appointing
committees and settling the affairs of dele
gates credentials. Missouri, Kentucky,
Il,
sets of delegates-One from the Wheel and
one from the Alliance. AS one delegate was
not allowed to represent over 10000 MEM
Sers, and as the above organizations are now
consolidated with the Farmers and Labor
ers' Union, the matter was settled by throw
sng out portions of the delegations until
they were reduced to the proper representa-
ton.
The following committee was appointed to
confer with a committee of the National AL
lance of the Northwestern States in regard
to consolidation: II. W. Hickman, of Mis-
souri,; j. w. Mitchell, of South Carolina;
Page, of Virginia.; Cover, of Kansas; Ly-
brand, of Arkansas; X. c. Patty, of MISSISSIPPI
pi !; L. W. Tucker, of Tennessee; I. j. Ander-
son, of Texas; and Myers, of Louisiana.
This committee met the following Alliance
committee at the Planters House last night:
!. NJ. Morris, Kansas; Alonzo Wardell, South
Dakota; George W. Sprague, Minnesota; A.
j. Streator, Illinois; John Ii. Powers, Ne
braska; Walter Muri, North Dakota; n. Il.
Ashby, Iowa; VIM. Ulrich, Wisconsin; 7. Y.
Williams, Washington.
The Union held night session but beyond
appointing a committee on constitution and
bylaws nothing of importance was done.
Second Day.
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 5.-The Farmers and La
bores' Union of America met yesterday morn
Ing for the second days session of their Ma
tional convention, President Evan Jones in
the chair. Besides several committees being
appointed the day was one of short speeches
Zach member had certain views as to the
details of organization, etc., which he aired.
The first thing decide" upon was to allow
=all the delegates froi.A the Farmers Mutual
Benefit Association to take seats in the con-
vention. These delegates were principally
from Illinois and Indiana. The National Al
liance, in body, was received also.
c. W. Macune, past president of the South
rern Alliance, which is now merged into the
Farmers and Laborers' Union, made u
speech as retiring from that position. He
went into the details OF the history of
,she Alliance and referred To the strength