South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1890-08-01


The FARMERS ALLIANCE IN Pol
ITics--Ihe prominence the farm
ers' alliances are attaining In the
Western, Southern, and Middle States
10 phenomenon that demands the
attention OF stu'ents of The present
situation. Undoubtedly they repre-.
seat claes Of producers that have
been very much imposed upon.
From the bard earnings or the farm.
ers Of the ciuniry have come chiefly
the revenues that have enriched al
other occupations. Their industry
is the basis OF The prosperity OF all
tho rest. Yet they ere today hari
pushed To IN Ike ends meet, while The
ben ticiaries o. their bounty are roll
ing In wealth. The tariff IN which
the farmers acquiescei originally
from paiTio'ic motives and 10 encour.
age infant industries. has given man.
ufac. urers such wealth and power
that they now control the govern
ment At Washington. Every favor,
however costly, the manufacturing
class demands is now grated without
scruple. The Mckinley bill to de-
siroy commerce, the subsidy bill TO
promote commerce, the silver bill to
% axe market for the produc; of our
silver nine owners, biils authorizing
big CONTRACTS f,r the construction Of
an excessive number Of war ships at
excessive prices, bills TO increase the
salaries OF some officials and shorten
the hours OF labor Of Others, bills to
give away money pro iilally under
the name OF pensions -this is a short
list OF measures intended, in one way
or another, To benefit the element
now domlnan' in politics ar the ex
pense of farmers and other unpro-
tee Ell producers. In federal affairs
the farmer is at present the forgot,
ten man. In State Legislatures the
case is net infrcquently nearly as bad
The rich corporation, the
willy lawyer, the graspin.
contractor is too often the recipient
of favors for which, in the end, tie
farmer must help to pay. He is
himself, no doubt. often TO blame for
sending 10 the State capital add to
Washington lcgisla, ors who are plain.
ly not faithful TO the common inter-
est. Under stress Of per y spirit far.
Ders often vote for men who are in
competent to deal wisely with their
interests. They do not ask ques.
lions enough of their wuuld.be repre-.
sentatives. Generous. kindly and
patriotic, they indulge in sentimental
politics before election. TO find after
wards that they have sent to Congress
men who arc the attorneys Of special
interests and wholly incapable Of
proper pubic spirit. Hencs the dis
position of the latter-day farmer to
organize with q view 10 taking care of
himself. The farmers alliances are
all expressi' n Of the sen iment among
agriculturists that in Union there is
strength. Primarily the alliance
movement is not political move.
mont. IT. gives trouble to the repub-
Iicens in republican States, and to
the democrats in democratic States,
bu. the main objcc; is not political.
The main oil jet OF some OF it's leaders
is, no doubt, TO use it to gel Office, but
he aim Of the organization as whole
is economic ra' her than pol teal.
From this faotit results that it makes
the most Sir and aitains its greatest
successes in democratic States. The
democratic party, having economic
reforms for the principal plank in its
platform, is naturally disposed TO CO.
operate With the alliance in most OF
its undertakings. 10 Tennessee, for
example, an alliance man was recent
ly nominated by the democrats for
Governor. In Georgia and other
States where thedcmocrs,s are strong.
est there has been developed the
strongest disposition 10 accept allis
ance men as candidates for Congress.
Where there are contests. II is rather
between individuals than between the
alliance and the democratic party.
Here and there the present member
from n district is opposed by the al
lance because he will not subscribe |
TO the sub treasury plan "a crude |
plan advocated by some alliance men
Tor basing an issue Of paper money on
farmers products stored in govern
ment warehouses. In such instances
tue democrat, if valuable member,
is accepted by the alliance, bet il not
is made /" see that 1t will be we'll for |
him to retire, which be docs. In re-
publican States like Ohio the case is
some what different. The republican |
party docs not so readily ccalesce with |
the alliance. In such s ales the |
movement t,nds, it is thought, to ar.
ray the farmers against the pro ective |
tariff and lie policy OF extravaganza |
to which the exigencies OF protection |
have given rise. II is a good sign. !
OF course, that the farmers arc owsk, |
ching 10 their interests, as their inter.
ests coincide for the most part with
those Ct the masses OF the people. |
Their plans for relief sre at present !
trine crude, perhaps, as first plans usu.
ally are. lime will correct THE, and
IL is not unlikely that they will nlii- |
ma'ely conclude that tariff reform.
ballot reform and civil service reform
arc the three columns upon which
;be structure Of our future prosperity
will lave 10 be erected Bait. Sun.