New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-09

ing On earth is too good for him.
North Dakotas experiment in constitution-msk-
ing will be watched with profound interest by
thoughtful people. OF the seventy-hve men who
will compose the convention, forty are farmers,
There are but five men among them all who can be
called politicians. Only ten, / think, have ever
held Office. Only six have ever been in the Legis-
lature. Only six are lawyers. 1t is decidedly an
of-the-people body. No class has attempted to
control IT. and no one can SO much as guess how it
will stand on anything The prevailing opinion is
that it will prove to be q strong temperance body,
but beyond this no one attempts TO indulge in
much prophecy. The Farmers Alliance is strong
in both Dakotas, and particularly strong in the
South II includes nearly 500 local alliances
each containing from twenty-five 20 200 members.
Its general influence is undoubtedly excellent and
IL has succeeded in securing for the farmers many
important concessions from the railroads, from
machinery manufacturers, and from other people
with whom they have large aggregate dealings
As q defence against impositions and aggressions.
against faulty and hostile legislation against
everything, indeed, that menaccd agricultural in
terests which, of course, are tho prime interests
of the people ID has proved powerful But lattcrly
its officers have been taking position in politics
which portends trouble. The president Of the Al
lance is a man named II. L. Louclps, said 10 be
Canadian, Mr., Loucks unquestionaby possesses
considerable executive ability, but he is rapidly
steering the Alliance upon roclts. He argues that
because the farmers constitute so large a proper
ton OF the population OF Dakota they should name
all the State officials Hc openly announces his
intention TO make the Alliance organization the
controlling factor in politics. Every candidate
must be an Alliance man, and no one is 70 be
allowed to hold office except he be franked by
Mr.. Loucl1s. On this principle there is no reason
why the Mssons or the Odd Fellows, the Cath
olics or the Baptists should not figure up their
spective strength and demand q proportional rec
ignition. II a man is 10 he Governor Sem
ator, not because he possesses peculiar qualihca-
tons Us o public man. but because he IL a farmer
no reason exists why any other class Of citizens
should not use the same argument and politics
would soon become q wrangle between classes Of
the community, each TO serve It's separate advan-
tage rather than that Of the whole people. The
Republican majority in South Dakota il 10000
In North Dakota II is fully $1,000. These are ma
jorities which Mr.. Loucks cannot disturb even
should he attempt TO sell the Alliance 10 the Dem
ocrats .An effort OF this character was made
year ago. when Mr. Loucks induced his followers
to bolt the Republican candidate for Congress
He htohed his team 10 the Democratic cart, but
the team wouldn't go. He found hims'lt unable
TO deliver the Alnance vOIf. Inc ftepuOhCdh Cou-
didate's majority was greater than ever
Unwarned by this interesting experience Mr..
Louclrs and his friends are talking theoretically
about nominating foil ticket against that sub
mitted By the Republican Convention in South
Dakota. their scheme being to have tho Demo
Gratis indorse it. They have actually called
convention of the Alliance AZ Huron on June
.s when they undoubtedly hope 20 pnt through
this ambitious undertaking Their proceedings
are exciting some interest, directed chiefly at
Loueks himself People are curious to know what
he is after. That be must be after something is
REGARDED as certain. The farmers pf Dakota com
pose the Republican party. They and the ~rty
are equivalent terms. In supporting IT they sup
port themselves. They could by no possibility
hurt It without hurting themselves. THEY colld
serve no conceivable end Of thclr own by
giving the State TO the Democrats, though they
might serve an end of Mr. Louck's. Fortunately
they understand the situation. They not for
sale Neither win they allow their excellent or
ganization 70 be wrecked On the barren rock OF
anybody's ambition Before the convention meets
Mr.. LouOks will probably realize the futility OF
the present plan. II lie doesn't he will IN
evitably meet with disaster.
In North Dakota the Alliance IL under wiser
| and safer leadership. No division into separate
State organizations has yet taken place. but the
made for an early division II is quito possible
that an Alliance man will be nominated on the
Republican ticket for Governor. and. in any
event, the farmers organization will be rccOg-
nized. Thus fur II has escaled many Of the perlh
which so often overcome associations intended 70
further class interests. II has not spread over
so much ground the old Grange attempted 10
cover 1t does not antagoniLc every other branch
Of industry. IL runs an insurance company and
a purchasing company. insuriOg against all kinds
of natural catastrophes 20 crops, and purchasing
the staple articles. such Irvine and machinery.
that farrners require. This policy keeps the Al
lance within reasonable bounds. gnd wards from
10 much OF the prejudice usually aroused against
such societies. As yet IL is regarded throughout
all Dakota with Euch sympathy. The only thing
that can hurt II IL crHZy politics on the part OF
It's leaders Several Of them are now badly
touched with the swelled head
Senatorial timber III North Dakota 10 plent-
full. and the people are busy discussing me PAT
fortunes are very far advanced as yet. though
the elect Gu OF Ex-Governor Gilbert 4. Pierce may
be said 70 be more than fOreshadoWed. Gov
ernor Pierce WAS the successor Of Governor ora
way, and was displaced By CLEVELAND 70 make
room for Governor Church. II the election were
10 take place now Governor Pierce would almost
certainly he chosen Us one OF the senators Who
tie other would be Is purely speculative prob;
lem. Governor Qrdway Is the man most talked
about, but he and Pierce are both from Bismarck.
Senator'S and already presents n score OF more or
less distinguished candidates. OF whom the biggest:
in inore senses than one. Is Major Edwards, OF
The aarsH Aa tor.,y we Of @ch
is understood to be unani m9uslE. for him. The
homeest Is the Hon Jud La Moure who con;
trolls the half.breed counties on the border, ana
who is much better than he looks. The present
Secretary Of the Territory. Mr.. Richardson. is a
ouiescent candidate. neither seeking nor reject
Ing. and. 4" were a prophet-but theR. I'm not.