The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-12-05
FUTURE OF THE FARMER.
He Will Have More to Say
About Legislation.
THE BIG ALLIANCE CONVENTION

President Polk Outlines the Policy Of the
rsrmers, and Says Congress Muse Come
Nearer to the People or They win Get
Nearer to Congress.
OcALA, Fla, Dec 9-About / 100 persons
attended the meeting Of the National
Farmers Alliance last evening. Chair
man Rogers introduced President Polk,
who delivered his annual address. He
said in part; Profoundly impressed with
the magnitude of this great revolution for
reform, involving issues momentous and
stupendous in their character, as affecting
the present and future welfare OF the
people, the public mind is naturally di-
reoted to this meeting with anxious inter
est, II not solicitude, and you cannot be
upmindful of the Importance and RESPONSE
bility that attach to your action"
Degradation of the American Farmer.
He then congratulated the alliance on
its achievements, and. reviewing the causes
OF agricultural depression, declared that
it was an anomaly to the student of in
dustrial progress.
"Retrogression in American agricult-
powerful and promising as is this giant
republic, yet its power and glory touch not
the degradation of the American farmer"
The alarm incident to Capitalization of the
money power and upbuilding of monopo-
lies was then pointed out, and both polit-
icsl parties were condemned for forcing
and encouraging this condition. He urged
that additional organizers be sent at once
to Oregon, Washington, Ohio, New York,
New Jersey and other states
The National Legislature.
Among the recommendations was one
that an organization bs formed to be
known as the National Legislature, COM
posed Of the national president and the
presidents OF all state alliances, their duty
being to look after Legislative reforms de-
manded by the alliance, both in state leg
isiation and congress-. He deprecated sec
tionalism, and closed with an eloquent ap-
peal for national harmony.
Both Eyes on coagress.
In relation TO the political action Of the
alliance, he said that while the order is DO
litical, 1t cannot be partisan or sectional in
its action. In support Of this declaration
he pointed to the record sd the alliance In
the recent popular election, and particu-
larly to the noble and patyosie bearing OF
the bro<herhood In Kansas and South Caro-
lima. In regard 10 the record Of the alli-
ance during the past ysas, and especially
with refsreacs te the Legislation demanded
by II. Mr.. Polk aeo1assd that congress had
persisteptly ignore IN Of their PROPOSE
tions, notably IN case Of the measure
known ~ the sHb-traasuTy bill. "Con-
gress," he said, "muss coma nearer to the
people or they win get nearer 70 congress-"
Tue Alifanes's Fueure Policy.
In outlining the futare policy Of the al
lance President Polk said that 1t will de-
'mana the restoration Of silver to all the
rights and qualities of lssul tender which
gold Possesses. the issuance of government
currency direct to the people, equalization
Of taxes, prohibition Of alien ownership of
land. ownership and control Of TRANSPORTS
ton lines by ths government, limit Of pub
lie revenues to the economic administra-
ton Of the government, graduated taxa
tton of incomes and the election Of United
States senators by direct vote of the people.
The conduct Of. DR.. Macone, editor of
The National Economist, is likely to be
investigated, and may prove bonn bshell
on the deliberations of the alliance.