St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-06
THE ALLIANCE MEETING.

1t is possibly too early to speak OF the
practical results of the convention Of the
Farmers Alliance which has been in
session in this city for the last two days,
but it is clearly admitted on all sides
that it is going to have some bearing on
Minnesota politics in the future. ltWas
perhaps the most largely attended con-
vention in the history of the alliance
movement in this state, and it was APP
parent that the granger element is fully
aroused to the importance of protecting
the agricultural interests. The pro-
ceedings, as they have been published
in the GLOBE, bespeak an Garnestness
and determination that is seldom OK
hibited in such meetings. 1t is
true there was more or less clashing
brought about by the conflict between
rival factions in the Republican party
to obtain control of the organization;
but, upon the whole, il looks as il the
alliance proved to be the captor instead
of the captive, for before the session
was ended the politicians WGro all bow
ing down and worShiping before the
aiti-m0nopoly and tariff reform altar
which the alliance had erected. 1t is a
striking evidence of the progress the
educational campaign inaugurated by
the Democrats has made, when one who
was supposed to be so high repre-
sentative of the monopoly interest
as Gov. MERRIAM boldly stepped
down from the Republican plat
form and declared his advocacy
of tariff reform principles in manner
that would have been creditable to even
so old and eminent tariff refOrmer as
GROVER CLEVELAND or ROGER Y.
MILLS. We honor Gov. MERRIAM for
his courage and honesty in taking so
advanced position OH the tariff QueS-
ton, yet it is but one OF the many strik-
ing evidences OF the progress that the
tariff reform idea is making up here in
the Northwest. The good work goes
bravely on, and by the time another
two wears have rolled around there Will
not be enough of the protection leaven
left to give vitality to the Republican
party in Minnesota. The farmers are
feeling the effect Of the high tariff
as they have never felt 1t be-
fore. They are in straitened cir
cumstances. and every dollar they have
to pay out to the monopolists is felt to
be just that much robbery. Every one
of the million and half Of people in
Minnesota, including men, women and
children, are forced under the tariff law
to contribute dollar annually to the
sugar trust alone. Perhaps double
that amount is paid to the Irvine
trust, and ten times that amount to the
various combines controlling the manu-
facture and production OF the necesSa-
ries of life. When it comes to taking
from ten to fifteen million dollars
year from the pockets OF the people Of
this state by an indirect tax to enrich
the monopolsts it is only natural that
the people should rebel against such OPP
preston. The farmers of Minnesota
need every dollar they earn for their
own uses. and when you squeeze a
mans pocket you awaken his principles.
That is why there is such a feeling on
the tariff question at this time, and it is
a wise politician who can read the signs
of the times correctly. The farmers
nave the grip on the politicians if they
will hold it and not permit themselves
to be betrayed by false leaders.