, 1889-02-28
PALOUSE SETTLERS.
The Farmers Alliance Talks
About Policies.
Protest Against ProlOnging the
Indemnity Controversy.
Resolutions Adopted ~ the Sentiment,
OF the Farmers of wsshington
Territory.

Ia Whitman county the homes Of hun
dreds OF settlers are involved In doubt and
legal controversy owing to the indemnity
land claim Of the Northern Pacific Rail-
road company. The decision of Secretary
Villas. promulgated some time since, WAS
in favor Of large class OF these indemnity
land settlers but the attorneys for the
company, filed applications for q review
OF the decision. At q meeting OF the
Farmers Alliance of Washin gton territory
held ut Elberton, Whitman county, re-
Gently. the following resolutions we're
adopted as the sentiments of the farmers
residing in that region:
Resolved, That the Territorial Farmers
Alliance of Washington territory, is In no
sense political machine; nor do we pro-
pose to dictate to any political party any
set rules or line of policy; but we do hold
that the platforms adopted by political
parties should 90 regarded As deliberate
convictions. the princip Piles OF which should
be held sacred and faithfully carried out
by those placed in official positions; that
the honor and integrity Of individual citi.
zens are no less sacred because they are
called TO gil prominent positions in our
country's history.
Resolved. That the fundamental teach
inRs of this great body Of agriculturists
declares that monopoly in all its forms is
a usurpation of popular rights, and u foe
to the spirit of the constitution; and that
we, as an organization, are acting, oper.
ating independent Of partisan restraints.
but appreciate the honest work of officials
who are opposing monopolies and work
for the interest OF the people; and TO this
end we have occasion to look with pleas.
ure upon the present management of the
interior department of our govern
ment. and see with profound congratula.
tion that Secretary Villas rules against
corporations with the same degree OF in
tegrity as he. does against individual
frauds, and In favor of the honest settler.
Resolved. That we look upon the
action Of the N. p. P. r. Co., in fling
their motion for q review of the honorable
secretarys decisions on the indemnity
claims in this territory as being q motion
only to retard the final adjudication and
speedy settlement of this long mooted
question.
Resolved. That we as an alliance, can
clearly see that the object of the railroad
company in fling their motion for review
of the honorable secretary's decisions on
the indemnity claims, is to drag this ques-
tion into new administration, thereby
hoping to obtain through fraud some more
clemency than has been shown them curing
this administration. That for this and
other reasons. too numerous to mention,
we would insist upon Secretary Villas to
dispose Of this motion with all dispatch
consistent with his many arduons and la
borious duties, and to this end, on account
of the importance of this decision to the
the many settlers who have already com.
piled with the government land laws and
advertised for final proof on their homes,
we shall ever look for speedy and meri-
torious decision
Resolved, That we hereby tender the
honorable secretary our humble thanks, In
allowing the settlers fling on their lands,
and as he leaves the head of the depart
ment to follow his avocations in life may
ne ever remember that he carries with
him the blessings of u grateful people, and
his name will long be held in grateful re-
membrance. by many poor settler, and
handed down to posterity as pric less
boon: Here is an honest man.
JOHN w. ARRAsMITH.
Secretary.
l.. G. Crow, Asst. Secretary.