The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-01-28

A"~H 49,
ing of all of the evil influences brought
to bear in the first State election, and
that money placed in the hands of IN
scrupulOus politicians to secure votes
for capital sites, was undoubtedly
used ~corruptly. He complained bit
terly of the abuse the Alliance re-
ceived at the hands of the organs of
the Republican party during the last
campaign. He says the farmers
worked diligently in the interests of
that party, and were by its organ lied
about more maliciously than were the
Democrats. Hereafter he advises
them to vote for whatever party may
come nearest to adopting their plat
form of principles, though he advises
that the organization remain non
political until some national party
shall adopt its platform. He com
planned at length of the ignoring of
all questions of interest to the Ali
ance, and suggests that all the local
Alliances be made literary societies,
and a regular educational campaign
be begun. He paid a high tribute to
the mugwump as the representative
of true manhood and American citi-
zenship, and declared that he is doing
more for the publication of politics
than both old parties combined.
Speaking of national politics, Mr..
Loucks declared it a difficult matter
to remain silent on so important a
question as the tariff, despite the fact
that it has become a partisan question.
He urged that the Alliance should de-
mand that sugar be placed on the free
list, and in return concede that wheat
should be similarly treated. He pro-
posed to further concede that corn
should go on the free list in exchange
for putting farm machinery there,
and that beef and pork be treated
similarly on condition that lumber
and coal are admitted free. He said
that this was the way to procure equal
protection Of farm interests, for no in
crease of tariff could help the farmers
so long as they raised a surplus.
What can we do" said MI. Loucks,
"to make those here prosperous and
happy so that we can conscientiously
advise others to come to Dakota?
With such suffering" as we have in
Dakota, it is cruel to allow real estate
shsrps to 60 on and swell the banks
of the destitute" He dwelt at length
on the money question, and insisted
that the lack of a sufficient circulating
medium was one Of the main causes
of the farmers distress. He predicted
that when our principles are once dis
cussed the people will begin to think,
and thought will be followed by action,
with the result of compelling the poll
ticians to work for a living.
The convention adopted resolutions
favoring a constitutional amendment
forbidding the sale of educational
lands and providing for a proper sys-
tenn of learning, resolving to support
no party that does not incorporate a
substantial part of the principles OF
the Alliance in its platform, and
pledging themselves to prepare for a
political campaign in which they will
refuse to support any man who will
not definitely pledge himself to their
principles. Other planks demanding
incorporation of trades unions, that
lands forfeited by railroads shall be
open to actual settlers, the extinguish-
ment of the public debt by operating
the minis to their fullest capacity and
rendering gold and silver without dis,
elimination for the payment of bonds;
the substitution OF legal tender treas.
ury notes for the issues of the national
banks; and now that there is a depart,
ment of agriculture, they demand that
the bureau of labor statistics be at
attached to it, and that the govern.
ment secure by right of eminent do.
main the railroads, telegraph and tele.
phone lines; and operate them through
a new department of transportation,
Mr.. Loucks is not only president Of
the South Dakota Alliance, but is
vice-presidebt of the national body
His address was interrupted many
times by applause and laughter, and
his references to the tariff were espe.
cially %applauded. The radicals are on
top in the Alliance now, and great
revolution in sentiment has taken
place among the farmers within the
last three months. Our State cleo
tons open many of their eyes. Sew
eral of them have told me that they
have always been Republicans, and
voted that ticket in October, but thai
now they were done with the party
forever.
One delegate told me that he haC
been an independent since 1872, AND
had been abused by both parties
while the members of his own loca
Alliance constantly opposed him
This tall, however, they elected him
delegate to the convention because hC