The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-03
NATIONAL FARMERS ALLIANCE
First Oficial Session-ssnsationsl Deyei-
"pments Promised.


OCALA, FLA, Dec. 2.-There was an in
formal meeting OF Alliance delegates at the
Operl House last night. A lively sensa-
tnn is prOmised during the convention in a
series OF charges TO be preferred against {.
W. Macune. chairman Of the National
Alliance Executive Committee. He j.
charged with Illegal dealing in reference
To the Georgia state senat0rship. aud with
peryerting the purity and dignity OF his
Office In half dozen ways. How the in
yestigaton will be brought up has not yet
developed.
Glover, Of Kansas. is spoken as the candi-
date Tor presiden Of the Farmers Alliance,
though il is thought likely that Polk will
be reelected.
The convention held its first official ses-
sion at noon today. The reading Of the
presidents address and reports Of officers
will consume the day. Alliance member
ship is shown TO be- growing rapidly aud the
finances Of the order are in good shape.
President Polk's address is long and
mastery review Of Alliance movements.
and treat. Of Alliance relations to the
country, the dangers Of the Government
and the way 10 avoid them.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
President Polk, in his annual address.
said in part: Profoundly impressed with
the magnitude OF this great revolution for
reforn involving issues momentous and
stupend0us i'm their character as affecting
the present and future welfare Of the
people, the pub ic mind is naturally
directed to this meeting, with anxious
interest, if not solicitude, and you
cannot he unmindful Of the Importance
and responsibility that attach 10 your
action as representatives, coming from
States and localities. remote from each
other, and differing widely from each other
in their material and physiological inter
ests. and marked by those social and politl-
cal differences which must necessarily arise
under our iOI IN OF government. IL Is YOUR
gracious privilege, a. II shall be your
cr0wning honor. TO prove to the world, 10y
your harmonious action, and thor
Oughly trsternal cooperation, that
YOUR supreme purpose is to meet the
demands Of patriotic duty in a
spirit Of equity and justice. Retrogression
in American agriculture, be said. means
national decay. and powerful and promis-
ing as j. this giant republic, yet its power
and glory touch not the degradation OF the
American farmer. The alarm incident TO
Capitalization Of the money power and up
building Of mOnOpolies vas then pointed
out. and both political parties were con-
demned for forcing aud encouraging this
condition.
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
In his recommendation upon the proposed
National Legislative Council. President
Polk said: II would respectfully suggest
that "A legislative council. to BE- composed
Of your n .tonal president, who shall be en-
oficIo chairman, and the presidents Of all
the State Alliances represented IN The Su-
preme Council, and that this body shall
hold it, annual meeting within sixty days
after the adjournment Of he supreme Coun-
ell at such time an place az may be deslg-
mated by the national president; that IL b.
empOwer,d d and authorized to appoint such
legislative committees as IN its Judgment
NAV be wise, and that IL be required 10
transmit to each Of the States iD printed
to IN, through the national secretary, for
distribution to the reform press, lecturers
and members Of the order, all measures or
bills. together with arguments In their
favor a. they may decide should be enacted
into laws"
In relation 10 the political action Of the
Alliance, President Polk said that while
the order il political, il cannot be- partisan
or sectional IT ITS action. In support ~ this
declaration, the president pointed 10 the
record Of the Alliance In The recent popular
election, and particularly 10 the noble and
patriotic bearing Of the Brotherhood III
Kansas and South Carolina.
In regard to the record Of the Alliance
during the past wear, and especially with
reference 10 the legislation demanded by IL.
Mr.. Polk declared that Congress had per-
sistently ignored all Of their propositions
notably in the case OF the measu known
As the sub Treasury bill. Congress, he
said, must get nearer 10 the people or they
will get nearer 10 Congress.
FUTURE POLICY OF THE ALLIANCE.
In outlining the future policy Of the Alli-
ance. President Polk said that IL will de-
mand the restoration Of silver 10 all the
rights and qualities Of legal tender which
gold possesses; the issuance OF Government
currency direct /, the people, equalization
OF taxes, prohibition OF alien ownership OF
land, ownership and control of traDsporta.
ton lines by the Government. limit Of public
revenues to the economic administration OF
the Government, graduated taxation Of In
comes and the election Of United States
Senators by direct vote Of the people.
THE OLD REBEL YELL.
OcALA, FLA, De. when President
Polk had cOncluded the convention resolved
itself into a sort OF "loye FEAST" during
which {. A. Power. Union soldier
from Indiana. moved that ali ex-soldiers
in the hall who endorsed the sentiments
expressed in the ,eeches with reference TO
the burial Of sectionalism rise up TO be
counted. Between forty and tify men stood
up amid the widest enthusiasm, Somebod,
suggested that thee cheers be given for the
x-Confederates In the Alliance. and they
v ere given with will. Then the Confed.
crates present took their innings and cheer.d
the ex.Union soldiers TO tEe echo. The
cheers ended With wild, old.fsshioned
rebel veil, aut the convention adjourned
until tomorrow morning.