Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-19
FARMERS AND LAB0RERS.
Proceedings Of the Farmers end La
borers' Convention in st. Louis.
An Amalgamation of the Various Interests
Under the Name of the National
Farmers Alliance and In
dustrial Union.



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 AIleghenics. The meeting
was called to order by the National presi-
dent, IVAN Jones, of Texas. Mr.. Gardner, OF
Tenne, seJ, occupied the secretary's desk
Chaplain :. ID. Satterwhite offered prayer
calling fer blessings on any good work that
might be accomplished.
Mayor Noonan was introduced and made a
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 paupers
grave to the beautiful art gallery. He con-
Guided by saying that he had made arrange
mcnts 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 II the Farmers and Laborers'
Union, responded in a short speech.
Major j. 4. Anthony introduced Governor
David Il. Francis, who made an address that.
from its first word, caught the Endorsement
and enthusiasm of the farmers if 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
blncs and other organizations that arc sup
SaOsed to clutch the thrOats OF the farmers
Mr. A. J. Streator, of Illinois, was the next
candidate for applause by well 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 80, and
was of the star-chamber order. Nobody but
delegates and members of the order who
knew the password were allowed to enter the
hall.
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-
lnent of rings, trusts and sOulless combina
lions, that are absorbing all the profits of
labor, and thereby paralyzing the industries
of the country. He recommended cOnsOlda-
tion 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 cooperation. On
the subject of finance the president spoke as
follows:
1T is impossible to have an equitable ad-
5ustment of capital and labor so long as
money is contracted below that which is
adequate to the demands of commerce;
hence if we would correct the abuses and
powers that are now pTostrating our indus
tries, We must have a circulating medium in
sufficient volume to admit of transacting our
business on Il cash basis. 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 otes "a full legal tender in sufficient
amount to furnish a circulating mcrru =
commensurate TO the business necessities of
the people"
The president condemned the monopoliza-
tiOn of lands by railroad corporations, do
Inestic and foreign syndicates, and recon-
mended that the body favor 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 classi1icatiOns of
freights.
The president then deplOred the "now al
most universal depression that pervades the
laboring classes of the country" and attr-
butcd the cause to the cOrrupting influence of
combines and corporations over our polite
al leaders. While the Farmers and Labor
crs' Union was strictly non partisan, yet it
could fight these trusts and mOnopolies.
The afternoon was taken up in appointing
committees and settling the affairs of dele
gates credentials. Missouri, kentucky,
Tennessee and Mississippi had each sent two
sets of dcleSatcs-One from the Wheel and
one from the Alliance. As one delegate was
not allowed to represent over 2O.OJ0 mem
beers, and rs the above organizations are now
consolidated with the Farmers and Labor
crs' Union, the matter was settled by throw
ing out portions of the delegations until
;i.vy were reduced to the proper representa-
ton.
The following committee was appointed to
confer with 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; Il. c. Patty. of MISSISSIPPI
ri: X. W. Tucker, OF Tennessee; L. J. Ander-
son, OF Texas; and Myers, of louisiana !
This committee met the following Alliance |
committee at the Planters House last night: |
l. VI. Morris, Kansas; AlOnZO Wardell, south |
Dakota; George W. Sprague, Minnesota; A |
J. Streator. Illinois; John H. Powers, Ne |
braska; Walter Muir, North Dakota; y. T. |
Ashby, Iowa; VIM. Ulrich, Wisconsin; I. Y. !
Williams, Washington.
The Union held night session but beyond |
appointing committee on constitution and |
Second Day.
ST. Louis, Dec. 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 decided upon was 20 allow |
all the delegates from the Farmers Mutual /
Benefit Association to take seats in the con-
vention. These delegates were principally /
from Illinois and Indiana. The National Al |
lance, in a body, was received also.
c. W. Macune, past president of the South
ern Alliance, which is now merged into the |
Farmers and LabOrers' Union, made |
speech As retiring from that position. He /
went into the details of the history of |
the Alliance, and referred to the strength |
that can be obtained by cooperation. /
He thought it not advisable to es- /
tablish a National exchange, but TO con-