The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-12-05
THE SOIL-TILLERS.
Alliance National Convention at
Ocala, Florida.
A NEW POLITICAL FORCE AT HAND

To Cut "a Figure I'm the Elections of 1S9.
Address of the National President and
His Formulation of Demands-The Sub
Treasury scheme still Dear to the
Granger Heart-A Move to Absorb the
Negro Vote Into the Democracy.
OCALA, Fla, Dec. 3.-The National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union
met at noon yesterday. There was almost
a full attendance. The proceedings were
opened by the reading of President Folks
annual address. The address congratu-
lates the Alliance ON its achievements
since the last meeting and then reviews
the causes of agricultural depression. The
president declares that this depression is
an anomaly to the student of Industrial
progress "Retrogression in American ag-
riculture," he said, "means national de-
cay, and powerful and promising as is this
giant republic, yet its power and glory
touch not the degradation of the Ameri-
can farmer" The alarm incident to CEN
tralization of the money power and up
building of monopolies was then pointed
out and both political parties were con-
demned for forcing and encouraging this
condition.
Looking After Legislation.
The president urged that additional Or
ganizers be sent at once in Oregon, Wash
ington, Ohio, New York, New Jersey,
Arizona, and other states. Among his
recommendations was one that an organi-
cation be formed to be known as the ina
tional legislature, composed of the nation
al president and the presidents of all state
Alliances, their duties being to look after
legislative reform demanded by the ALI
ances both in state legislation and con-
gress. He deprecated sectionalism and
closed with an eloquent appeal for nation
al harmony.
Powers of the New Organization.
In his recommendation upon the pro-
posed national legislative council Presi-
dent Polk said: II would respectfully
suggest that n legislative council, be
composed of your national president, who
shall be eX officio chairman, and the pres
idents of all the state Alliances represent
ed in the supreme council, and that this
body Y be empowered and author
lied to appoint such legislative commit
tees as in its judgment may be wise, and
that it be required to transmit to each of
the states, in printed form, through the ma
tional secretary, for distribution to the
reform press, lecturers and membership of
the order, all measures or bills, together
with arguments in their favor, that they
may decide should be enacted into laws"
Serves Notice on Congress.
In relation to the political action of the
A1Iianca Draci6opt Doll enid that while
the order is political, it cannot be partisan
or sectional in it's action. In support of
this declaration, the president pointed to
the record of the Alliance in the recent
popular election and particularly to the
noble and patriotic bearing of the brother
hood in Kansas and South Carolina. In
regard to the record of the Alliance during
the past year, and especially with reference
to the legislation demanded by it, Polk de-
clared that congress had persistently ig.
nored all of their propositions, notably in
the case of the measure known as the SUBJ
treasury bill. Congress" he said, "must
come nearer to the people, or they will get
nearer to congress-"
Future Policy and Demands.
In outlining the future policy of the AL
lance he said that it will demand the res
toration of silver to all the rights and
qualities of legal tender which gold pos
sesses; the issuance of government cur
rency direct to the people; equalization of
taxes; prohibition of alien ownership of
land; ownership and control of transpor-
tation lines by the governments; limit of
public revenues to the economic admins
tration of the government: graduated tax
alton of incomes and the election of
TTpifaI for Inv N Ii,.ant nta 30
the people.
Predicts Victory in 1892.
President Fouls, of the South Dakota
Allionce, also delivered an address, in
which he predicted victory for the AL
lance at the ballot box in 1892. This sem
timent was cheered to the echo by the
delegates. All the speakers predicted the
general prevalence within a short time of
the ideas embodied in the Alliance plat
form adopted at st. Louis.
Bridging the Bloody Chasm.
, When the regular speeches were con-
cluded the convention resolved itself into
a sort of 'love FEAST" during which c. A.
Power, Union soldier from Indiana,
moved that all ex soldiers in the hall who
Endorsed the sentiments expressed in the
speeches with reference to the burial of
sectionalism rise up TO be counted, Be
tween forty and fifty men stood up amid
the widest enthusiasm. Somebody sug-
gested that three cheers be given for the
ex- Confederates in the Alliance, and they
were given with will. Then the Confed-
crates present took their innings, and
cheered the ex-Union soldiers to the echo.
The cheers ended with a wild, old-fash-
toned "rebel yell" The convention then
adjourned for the day.
The Question of New Party.
Mr.. Tillman, of Tennessee, the statistic
ian of the Alliance, said last night that the
question of forming q new political party,
which would put a presidential ticket in
the field in 1892, would probably come up
for discussion at this meeting, but he pre-
diets that the question will be disposed of
by referring it to the different state ALI
ances for individual action. The first bus
mess session of the Alliance was held last
night. The session was secret, as will be
all those that follow. Eighty eight dele
gates were present. In addition to the
delegates there are ten or twelve oersons
entitled to vote, which brings the numer-