Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-24
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE
WHAT is AIMED AT BY THIS OR
GANIZATION.
The farmers Present Condition and His
Own Plans for Its Amelioration in
the Future.

EDITORS HERALD-A new combatant
has entered the political arena. The
farmers of the United States have risen
in the magnitude of their numerical
greatness. Whatever can be achieved
by social combination or united political
action they have resolved to attempt.
The actual bread-winners of this
country muster something like twenty
millions. OF these the farmers COM
prise eight or nine millions. They GER
tainly constitute the bone and sinew Of
not only this but of every other nation.
BY some cause, rather difficult of ex-
PLANTATION, the American farmer is
steadily losing ground. The battle OF
life grows harder tor him year by year.
Recent investigation by the labor bu-
reau of Connecticut, of 763 representa-
tive farms, have demonstrated that the
average annual earnings of the farm
proprietor of that state for his entire
years labor only amounts to $1Sl.31,
while the average annual wages OF the
ordinary hired man is not less than
$386.36.
In Massachusetts things are not quite
so bad. The average farmer there is
credited with making $326.49, while his
hired man gets $345. Despite the home
market, which protection is supposed to
have created at their very doors, the
farmers are falling behind. 1t is the
same story the whole country over.
Whether located in the eastern, central,
southern or western states, the farmer
has had for some time past the hardest
row to hoe of any of the industrial oc
cupations.
A great many causes have no doubt
contributed to bring about this really
regrettable result. Among them may be
suggested excessive protective tariffs,
trusts, speculation in farm products, the
INSCRIPTIONS exactions OF middle-men,
exorbitant transportation rates, and
last, but by no means least, the heavy
interest extorted by money lenders.
The fruit farmer OF California, as COM
pared with his brother agriculturist in
other sections, stands now on very diff
ferent footing. He realizes, upon a few
acres, handsome return for his invest
ment and labor. The principal reason
of this is that the mass of the farmers
throughout the country rely chiefly
upon the production of the great sta
ples-corn, wheat, etc. Californian
products, on the other hand, are mostly
upon the list of delicacies and luxuries,
for which higher prices are always OBJ
tainable.
The farming class, however, is in no
mood for experimental delay. They be-
lieve that the heavy burdens which they
carry are due to political causes and that
in suitable legislation lies their only
chance for relief. The Farmers Alliance
is the outcome. Their political methods
are declared to be strictly non-partsan.
Refraining from affiliation with either
OF the great parties, they will endeavor
to make both parties assist them.
United on any one issue, their power at
the ballot-box will unquestionably be
great. The Alliance is by no means un-
conscious of their strength.
The most notewoi thy OF their demands
are:
First-More abundant money. They,
therefore, favor the free coinage of silver.
Second-rhe sub-treasury plan. This is
an expedient bound to attract good deal
of public attention. 1t is scheme de-
signed to turn supply of money di
rectly into the hands of the farmers at
nominal rate of interest. Under its pro-
visions the government would be re-
quired to erect warehouses in every
county where they were demanded in
which the farmers could deposit cotton,
wheat, corn, oats or tobacco, receiving
in return treasury note for eighty per
cent. of the value of the product so de-
posted at the current market price.
These treasury notes to be legal tender
for debts and receivable for customs.
A warehouse receipt would also be
given to the depositor, designating the
amount and grade of the product de-
posted and the amount of money ad-
vanced upon it. Interest at per cent
per annum to be paid for the sums ad-
vanced These receipts to be negotia-
BILE by Endorsement. The holder OF the
receipt, by presenting it at the ware
house, returning the money advanced
and paying interest and charges, would
receive back the product deposited. The
to be destroyed by the secretary of the
treasury.
Third-Government ownership of all
railroads, telegraphs and telephones.
Fourth-The prohibition of gambling
in stocks and the alien ownership OF
land.
Fifth-The abolition of national banks
and the substitution of legal tender
treasury notes for national bank notes
Sixth-The election of United States
senators directly by the people.
These are, in condensed form, the
more. prominent demands of the new
party. The movement is at present
popular in the extreme among the agri-
cultural class. The farming community
are rallying to the standard of the
Alliance with a singleness of purpose
born of common necessity. If factional
divisions can be avoided, they are bound
to effect results, and that at no distant
date.
Political changes of sweeping vol.
canic nature would require compact
ness of movement that can scarcely be
looked for in new untried organization
A thol ough discussion of each PROPOSE
tion will be the reverse of Objectionable
however, for some Of the ideas will meet
with hearty approval far beyond the
limits of the Alliance. An honest
threshing out will be certain to produce
some good grain.
And, setting every political considera.
ton aside, it is sincerely to be hoped
that the movement will speedily result
in most appreciable amelioration o.
the condition of the farmer.
A NON-PRoDUCER.
BAD LIQUOR.