Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-22
THE STATE ALLIANCE.
BUSINESS TRANSACTED YESTERDAY
OF A SECRET NATURE.
The Platform Of Principles In Accordance
with the Democrats and Opposed
to Republican Doctrines.
Especial telegram to the DIspatch.l

LYNCHBURG, Va, August N.-lne ousi-
ness done in the alliance convention this
afternoon was strictly of a secret nature
and could not be secured for the press.
Tonight at a late hour the following
platform of principles was adopted by the
convention:
The Platform.
The Virginia State Farmers Alliance, in
annual session assembled. declares its
allegiance to the national organization,
and reiterates its adherence TO those prin-
ciples upon which our order was founded
of unity IN all Things essential equal
rights TO all. and special privileges TO none.
THE FEW AGAINST THE MANY.
Whereas the depressed condition OF the
agricultural and labOring classes of our
country cries aloud for help. and the sta
tistics of our Government show that In
the Advancement our country has made IN
the last twenty-five years the agricultural
and labOring classes-the wealth-pro-
ducers-have been left far behind, and that
the wealth Of the country is rapidly con
centrating in the hands of the favored
few 10 the detriment of the many, so that
now more than half OF the wealth OF this
great country ia held by less than $4,000
of its 64,0O0,000 of people.
CLASS LEGISLATION.
And whereas we believe the legislation
of the Congress Of the United States for
the last twenty-five years has been greatly
30 the prejudice of a large majority OF the
people, and in the interest of the favored
few: that the monetary system as admin
istered under the national banking laws,
its demOnetization of silver, and contrac-
tiOn OF the currency, has SO reduced the
values of our lands and their prOductsas to
eofl fl.rl l.-1a,, alfaz xNlIIp Af
the same time the bonds and holdings OF
capitalists and monop0lists have been
greatly enhanced IN value.
REFORMS INSIDE EXISTING PARTIES.
And whereas unjust and onerous burd ems
of taxation have been imposed upon the
farmer and lab0rer through our internal
revenue and tariff laws framed in the IN
terest of mOnopolists and trusts. these
laws whist protesting to protect the tarm-
er and laborer tax with n heavy hand al
most every article necessary for their
daily wants and at the same time
close the markets of the world to
their products: and recognizing the fact
that TO accomplish the reforms we
demand. we must select and vote for can
didates in accord with our views; yet we
believe that this may be accomplished IN
side the two great parties now existing,
by demanding and exacting pledges from
those seeking our suffrage 10 give us and
our interests fair and equitable treatment,
refusing TO support IN either rari" those
who refuse to support u.s. and whereas 1t Is
proper that we should set tOrtn wnat we
believe may give relief TO our depressed
people: therefore be il
PRINCIPLES.
Resolred. 1, That we favor tine free and
unlimited coinage of silver.
H.. ..N ha
laws and the substitution of legal-tender
Treasury notes in lieu Of national bank
notes, and in sufficient quantity to do the
business of the country.
3. That Congress issue sufficient
amount of fractional paper currency 10
facilitate exchange through the medium
Of the United States rIails.
DEMocRATIc PLANK.
4. Such revision of our tariff laws rs
shall reduce the burdens OF ;aXation upon
the necessaries Of life. placing upon luxu-
ries the burdens they should bear, reducing
tariff taxation TO the necessities OF the
Government economically administered,
and so adjusted rs to promote rather than
suppress our commercial intercourse with
the nations of the world.
3. We demand that Congress shall pass
such laws ~ shall eGectually prevent the
dealing in futures OF all agricultural aud
! mechanical products.
AGAINST REPUBLICAN DOCTRINES.
6. For the destruction of trusts and the
withdrawal of oil favOrs in the shape OF
| subsidies and bounties.
T. The abrogation of oil partisan and
class legislation.
3. Equal distribution of the burdens Of
taxation. that capitalists bonds, DC, shall
be required 20 bear "A just share Of taxes,
.v,1 ha an -ffgn lava : shall
insure this end.
RECLAIM THE LANDS.
O. We oppose the alien ownership of
lands and all land grants 10 railroad cor
porations and syndicates, and demand the
forfeiture Of all uLearned land grants, and
that all lands held by railroads and other
corDorations in excess of such as are ac-
tuaily used and needed by them for their
legitimate purposes be reclaimed by the
Government and held for actual settlers
only.
A RAILROAD COMMISSION.
10. We demand a railroad commission
consisting of three persons, 10 which shall
be given full powers 20 protect the rights
and interests OF the people; 10 have the
power 10 regulate and correct all dlscnml-
nations in freghts and other charges, and
10 adjust schedule Of tariffs favorable 10
the people and just 10 the railroads
making rates uniform per mile, rs far a.
possible allowing for loading and unload
ing.
40 CORPORATION CANDIDATES.
II. We will not support for office the
representatives or paid attorneys OF rail-
roads. transportation companies, and dother
corporations. We demand pledges from
all candidates for Office that they viii not
accept free passes upon railroads or other
transportation lines, and We condemn the
use OF free passes by the judiciary.
Your correspondent learns that the State
Alliance will take no action on the Sub
Treasury bill. because hundreds Of ALL
ances all over the State. very recently or
gan,zed. have not yet considered and re-
ported on it,
10 MET II RICHMOND IN 1881.
The State Alliance adjourned tonight TO
meet in Richmond on the third Tuesday IN
August, 1891.
THE GEORGIA ALLIANCE