The Globe-republican., 1889-12-18
Fourth Day.

chair The entire forenoon was3 occupied In
routine business more particularly relating
to the adjustment of the representation from
the States to the National conventions, and
to the report of the committee on constitu-
ton. Both male and females are allowed to
become members of the order, and both
males and females are allowed to be sent as
delegates to the National convention, vet so
far only male members have acted in the
capacity Of dele gates. The basis OF repre-
sentation is on the numerical force of men,
hezship, both male and female, one delegate
being allowed for each 10000 members in q
State and also State being granted two
delegates at large. Yet it was decided that
the dues from each State to the National
treasurer should be charged only on the
male membership. The sum of five cents
per year is imposed upon each male mem.
Der.
The committee on new constitution re-
ported Yesterday afternoon. The whole con.
stitution had been revised, yet the same
principles are advocated under cover of diff
ferent verbiage. In few instances material
changes have been made. One word was
stricken out Of q clause that appeared in the
old constitution which will have great
weight in the organization OF new lodges.
1t was formerly made q qualification for
membership that the applicant should be a
country laborer or mechanic. The word
"COuntry' Is now StflCheu Out, anu tucTc.
fore city laborers and mechanics can become
members as well as the yeomanry of the
country. This is a loOphOle through which
many mechanics who belong to the Knights
of Labor in the smaller towns can enter
the farmers order. The money question
was incorporated again.
The race question came up in the afternoon
proceedings. A clause of the new constitu-
ton was to the effect that it would be left
To loot i<NyH
whether the colored man should be admitted
as q member of the white order. This, of
course, was the cause of much debate. The
Southern members, vino compose the
strength of the order, were in favor of placing
some restriction on the negro. While they
allowed him to become a member of local
orders, yet it was explicitly declared that he
could not be eligible as delegate to Ma
tiOnal convention. The clause says it is
"optional with each State" whether the
negro can come into full fellowship.
The regulation of the transportation of
products, the equalization of taxes and the
ownership of land were the same questions
in the new as in the old H<E=titution. "The
expressions of the farmG. must be lifted by
new legislation"
The session wrestled for several hours with
the new constitution, until it was finally
adopted. The National meetings hereafter
II
the executive committee will be called the
judiciary committee. The election of OFF,
GERS was taken up late in the afternoon.
L. L. Polk, of North Carolina, was
elected president. His opponenents in
the race were c. w. Macune, president
of the late Southern Alliance, and
Vice President Isaac McCracken. President
was won by only s majority. B. Fl. Glover, of
Kansas, was elected vice president by accla-
nation. A. f. Gardner, the present secre-
tary, j. A. Tets, Of Louisiana, j. H. Mellow
ell, of Tennessee, and j. II. Turner, of GeOr-
gia, were put in nomination for secretary.
Mr.. Turner won easily. II. W. Hickman, of
Missouri, captured the plum as treasurer.
Mr.. Benjamin Terrell, of Texas, was elected
as National lecturer. This will be the fourth
term that Mr.. Terrell has served as National
lecturer for farmers organizations. He is
one of the most intelligent and cultured men
in the Union, and speaks quite fiuently and
with mild, suave manner.
Adjournment was taken to 40 p. m.
EVENING SESSION.
The night session began at 7:30 and lasted
until midnight. The change of name was
discussed at length, and finally it was decid-
ed to call the organ izatiOn the National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union Of
America.
Messrs. Powderly and Wright of the knights
of Labor committee, were asked to appear
at the night session and again go over the
articles in the agreement. The farmer, as a
rule, is very cautious that he does not work
into a trap. The Knights have been Or
ganized for ten years, and their wits have
been sharpened by friction, and they were
ready for agreement early in the morning.
THE AGREEMENT.
At a late hour the following agreement
was adopted:
ST.LOUIs, Mo-, Dec. 6, 1889.
Agreement made this day by and between
the undersigned committee representing the
National Farmers Alliance Industrial Union
on the one part and the undersigned COM
mittee representing the Knights of Labor on
the other part.
Witness: The undersigned committee, rep.
resenting the Knights of Labor, having read
the demands of the National Farmers Al.
lance and Industrial Union, which are EN-.
bodied in the agreement, hereby mdOrSe the
same on behalf OF the knights OF Labor, and
mands herein set forth, the legislative COM
mittees of both organizations will act in con .
cert before Congress for the purpose of Sc
curing the enactment of laws In harmony
with the demands mutually agreed.
And it is further agreed, in order to carry
out these objects, We will support for office
enact these principles into statute law unin-
huenced by party caucus.
The demands are as follows:
l. That we demand the abolition OF Ma
tiOnal banks, and the substitution of legal
tender treasury notes in lieu of National bank
notes; issued in sufficient volume to do the
business of the country on cash system;
regulating the amount needed on per-
capita basis as the business interests OF the
country expand; and that all money issued
by the Government shall be legal tender in
payment of all debts, both public and pri-
waite.
2 That We demand that Congress shall pass
dealing in futures of all agricultural and me.
chanical productions; preserving a stringent
system of procedure in trials as shall secure
the prompt conviction, and imposing such
penalties as shall insure the most perfect
compliance with the law.
g. That we demand the free and unlimited
coinage of silver.
t. That We demand the passage OF laws
prohibiting alien ownership of land and that
Congress take early steps to devise some
plan to obtain all lands now owned by aliens
foreign syndicateS; and that all lands now
held by railroad and other corporations in
excess of such as is actually used by them be
reclaimed by the Government and held for
actual settlers only.
s. Believing in the doctrine of "eQual rights
to all and special privileges to none. we de.
mand that taxation, National or State, shall
not be used to build up one interest or class
at the expense of another.
We believe that the money OF the country
should be kept as much as possible in the
hands of the people, and hence we demand
that all revenue. National. State or county,
shall be limited to the necessary expense of
the Government economically and honestly
administered.
s. That Congress issue q sufficient amount
of fractional paper currency to facilitate eX-