Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-03
THE FARMERS. ALLIANCE.
The Convention Assemblies at ocaia. fla. and
Begin. n. Sessions.

Se>sions.
The National Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial Union met at ocala, Fla. yesterday az
noon. Immediately after calling the delegates
TO order President Polk began the delivery %
MS annual address, which occupied over an
honr' The address congratulated the alliance
on It's achievements since the last meeting and
then reviewed the cause of agricultural ,epres-
sioh' Inc president declared that this depros-
SION Is an anomaly 90 the student OF industrial
progress. tetrogression in American agri-
culture, he said, means national decay. and
powerful and promising as is this young giant
republic. yet Its power and glory touch not tho
degradation Of the American farmer" The
alarm incident 10 Capitalization Of the money
power and upbuilding Of monopolies was then
pointed out and both political parties were
condemned Tor forcing and encouraging this
condition.
EXTENDING THE ORDER.
With reference 20 extending the order the
president urged that additional organizers lie
sent at once into Oregon, Washington. Ohio,
New York. New Jersey, Arizona and other
states. Among his Recommendation was ON.
That an organization he formed 90 be known as
the National Legislature. composed of the ma
uonal president and the presidents Of all state
alliances their duty being 90 look closely after
ieglslauVe reform demanded by the alliance.
remarks upon the proposed national legislative
council President Polk said: Il would respect
fully suggest that a legislative council. TO BE-
composed of your national president who shall
be ex-ofhcio chairman and the presidents of all
the state alliances represented IN the supreme
council, be organized and that this body shall
hold res annual meeting within sixty DAYS after
the adjournment OF the supreme council at such
tlme and place as may be indicated by the ma
nonal president; that IL be empowered and
authorized 10 appoint such Legislative commit
tees as IN Its judgment may be wise. and that IL
be required TO transmit 20 each of the states in
printed form through the national secretary
for distribution 10 the reform press lecturers
and membership of the order all measures OF
bills, together with arguments i'm their favor,
as they may decide, should be enacted into
laws"
THE ALLIANCE IN POLITICS.
Touching upon the political action Of the
alliance, President Polk said: while our or
ganization ispolitical, il cannot be partisan or
sectional in its action. In support Of this
declaration we proudly point To our whole past
record and TO the recent popular election. ard
particularly TO the noble and patriotic bearing
of the brotherhood in Kansas and South Caro-
lima"
In reviewing the record Of the alliance dur
ing the past year, and especially with refer
ence to the legislation demanded by il. the
speaker declared that Congress had persist
emily ignored all alliance propositions. and
even suppressed discussion of them notably
IN the case of the measure known AZ the sub
treasury bill. Congress" he said. must
come nearer to the people, or the people will
get nearer 10 Congress-"
UPRooTISG sEcTIoNALrsM.
The remainder of the address was devoted 20
discussion of financial reform and the policy
OF the alliance in uprooting sectionalism. As
outlining the future financial policy of the ALI
Dol 4 Al
the restoration of silver to all the rights and
qualities OF legal tender which gold Possesses;
the issue Of government currency direct 10 the
people; equalization of taxes: prohibition Of
alien ownership OF land; ownership and control
of transportation lines by the government:
limit of public revenues 90 the economic adj
ministration of the government: graduated
taxation of incomes, and the election Of United
States Senators 10y direct vote of the people.
To show that the alliance was heartily in
favor of burying all sectional antagonism
embittered by the civil war the ex-Union
veterans present gave three cheers for the old
confederates in the alliance and the latter
responded with the old rebel yell.
THE BUSINESS MEETINGS BEGUN.
The alliance opened it, first business sessions
last night and, from now on, all the sessions
will be secret, only members of the order being
allowed in the hall. The report of the commit
tee showed eight-eight delegates present from
the following states, each state having full ac-
credited delegation in attendance: Alabama. 8;
Arkansas. 5; Colorado, 1; Florida, 8; Georgia,
z; Illinois, .; Indiana, 2: Indian Territory. 2;
Kansas, 3; Kentucky, 5; Louisiana. 4; Mar land,
2; Michigan 3; Mississippi, 4; Missouri. 6; North
Carolina, s.: South Dakota, 2; Pennsylvania. 2:
Sou tn Carolina. 4; North Dakota, 2; Tennes-
see, a; Texas, 4; West Virginia. 2.
Other states and territories having organiza-
tions and entitled To delegates are California,
New Mexico and Oklahoma but a. yet no dele
gates have arrived from these states. In addi-
ton TO the delegates there are ten or twelve
persons entitled 20 vote. which brings the
actual numerical strength of the body up 20
100. Besides these 100 the local committee On
entertainment report 465 visiting alliance men
from outside of the state, and all of these
attend the deliberations of the council. Among
the delegates are five women, Mrs. Nickery, vice
president Of the Kansas alliance, being Of the
number.
Dispatches from Ocala say that considerable
dissatisfaction Is expressed with the course
pursued by DIR. Macone. chairman of the ma
tional executive committee and editor of the
National Economist. the organ of the party. Ii
is claimed that he has advocated congressional
measures oppressive 10 the farming class.
Charges are also made that money used ia
the recent canvass for the Georgia senatorial
nomination. These matters will be inyesti-
gated.
THE ALLIANCE PLATFORM.
President Polk said in an interview. refer
ring to the convention: Il cannot outline the
exact nature of the deliberations of the conyen-
ton, but will say that they will comprehend
many topics affecting national legislation The
national alliance stands squarely ON the plat
form adopted at st. Louis. We desire 10 break
down sectional lines. We have had enough If
bloody shirt We have had enough Of sectional
luminosity on both sides. The slogan henceforth
is TO be financial reform. The national banking
system must go. The farmer and laborer must
be given a chance TO get what money they need
upon the security Of their real property
privilege which is denied them today"
When asked for an opinion as TO the cause OF
the result of the recent election. Mr.. Polk said:
1T was the oppression of the financial system
of this country upon the masses Of the people.
They have just found out what the matter is
Its the dollar that is keeping the people down
to-day. IL Is the money powerItthe rule OF Pln-