The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-06-10

consists only in not having oeen the
choice of party Bosses" and that his
unitness was owing to the fact that
he Wa the choice of the farmers and
laborers of Alabama and was a mem
Der Of the Alliance.
When the convention met there
were FIVE candidates for Governor,
one of whom was a farmer and was
evidently the choice of a majority of
the people, as the first ballot clearly
shows. The vote stood thus:
Kolb. ............. ............ 235 48 100
Jones ........... ................ 454
Richardson ....... .....,."..... 1856 100
CoOR........ 800. .-........... 0073
On the third ballot Mr. Kolb gained
one vote, making 236, which number
did not decrease during the contest.
You will see he only lacked Sc votes
of beating the field and was 100 23.lO0
votes ahead of Mr.. Jones, who was
nominated by the unjust combine of
his opponents. If MI. Kolb was not
the choice of a majority of the people,
then | would like to know how Mr..
Jones could be, when he had only Ash
votes out of more than 400 before the
wire-working began. Two counties
came into the convention with the
delegations contested, and instead of
allowing them to divide their voc,
the opposition combined promptly
and voted for the anti-Kolb men only
to be allowed to vote. 1t reminds
me of the affairs in this State two
years ago, when the farmers we're not
so well organized as now, and it was
easier for a few politicians to nominate
whom they chose and suppress the
wishes of the people. 1t SHOWS US
plainly that we need expect no quar-
ter at the hands of the politicians, and
that if we expect to have our friends
nominated we must attend the con.
ventiOns and vote for them. 1t shows
that we may expect a combination
against us every time a farmer is put
up as a candidate for any Office above
that of Lieut. Governor. | do not
think it is right to nominate a man
simply because he is a farmer, and |
would not support a farmer if he were
incompetent or corrupt; but l find the
politicians always combine against a
farmer candidate, no matter how COM
potent and honorable he may be.
Farmers are not good enough to run
for high Offices, but they are just the
thing to do the voting or to form a
tail to a big mans kite. They tried
to tack Capt. Alexander on to Gov.
Fowle's kite, but he had the nerve
not to be tackled. He canvassed for
the party and asked his friends to
vote for Fowle land this no doubt
caused him to be elected, } but he re-.
fused to accept a nomination to an
Office his friends had not expressed
any desire to have him fill. They are
trying the same trick again, and in
speaking of nominating a prominent
gentleman for Governor two years
hence, propose to let a prominent
Alliance man and farmer play second
fiddle.
Idon't care whether our next Gov
ernor is a farmer or not, but there is
one thing certain, l am opposed to
farmers being made a cats paw of
for other people and given the small
end of the bone to pick every time;
, and If L see any prominent farmer
, pressed for the Office of Lieut.. Cover
nor next time 1 shall take it for granted
!. that he is good enough for Governor
and shall ask my neighbors to support
him in the primaries for that position.
L think, however, that both Ala.
bama and North Carolina made a mis-
\ take in squabbling over a farmer
Governor. If they had put their time
and energy in trying to get their
friends into the different legislative
3 offices, the Sub-Treasury would not
have been without friends and advo.
t Gates and would never have died in
the committee room without a. chance
= of being discussed.
Whatever we do about the Cover.
9 norship, l am in favor of sending men
to the Legislature and to Co1orese
. who will try to help US, and not men
. who oppose everything we
!. and do not offer anything better I
do not care whether they are MON.
. bers of the Alliance or not, so thew
are ready and willing to help ony
cause and give us the relief we need
. [ am for the nomination of men wbo
can be depended upon to make an
r honest effort to help the farmer When
elected. Truly and fraternallv,
y UNCLE IKE.