Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-03
FARM ERS' ALLIANCE.
MEETING or THE NATIONAL BODY IN
ANNUAL SESSION.
Nearly Every Delegation Prescnt--Prcsi-
dcnf Folks Acknowledgment In
Agriculture Means National Decay.
LBy telegraph TO The pI.pa,ch.I

Union met in the Opem-House at noon
today. Nearly every delegation has
arrived, and the house was crowded with
alliance men and women. Immediately
a'tcr calling the delegates 10 ordor Presi-
dent Polk began the delivery of his an
unal address. which occupied over an
hour
At 2:30 this afternoon public meet
inc 81 the National Farmers Alliance
as held in the Opera House, an audi
cpce of about 1900 being present.
President Rogers. Of the Florida ALI
ancc. presided. Governor Fleming vel
coined the delegates aud was followed by
John +. Dunn, State senator and
pr3mineni aspirant for the United States
raiorship 20 succeed Cali. President
Toulks, Of tho south Dakota Alliance,
also made a short address in which he
ufedictcd victory for the alliance at the
illot box in 1892. a sentiment which
The delegates cheered 10 the echo. All
tie speakers Of the afternoon dwelt for
clly upon the breaking down OF sec
toual lines and predicted the general
prevalence within q short time OF the
iicas embodied in the alliance platform
adopted at st. Louis
THE PRESIDENTS ANNUAL ADDRESS.
President Polk was introduced Ivy Mr.
Rogers, and delivered his annual ad-
dress. After few congratulatory SEN
tauaes he said Profoundly impressed
with the magnitude Of this great revolu-
tiop for reform, involving issues momen-
tIus and stupendous in their character
affecting the present and future vel
fare Of the people. the public mind
g. naturally directed 10 this meet
ING with anxious interest II not sOlici-
tude. and you cannot be unmindful OF
the importance and responsibility that
attach ~ your action as representatives
coming from States and localities remote
from each other. differing widely from
each other IN material Characters
ties. and marked by those social and po-
lticul differences which must necessarily
arise under our form Of government 1t
j. your gracious privilege, as 1t shall he
vOur croWning honor, TO prove TO the
world by your harmonious action and
thoroughly fraternal cooperation that
vour supreme purpose Is to meet the de-
mands Of patriotic duty IN spirit OF
equity and justice.
The address congratulated the alliance
on its achievements since the last meet
INK and then reviewed the causes of the
agricultural depression. The President
declared that tins depression Is an
anomaly to the student Of industrial pro-
press a" Retrogression in American
ngriculture, ho said, "means national
decay, and powerful and promising as is
this Young giant republic, yet its power
and glory touch not the degradation of
tho American farmer" The alarm incl
dent 20 the Capitalization of the money
power and tho upbuilding of monopoies
was then pointed out and both political
parties we're condemned for forcing and
encouraging this condition.
With reference to extending the order
the President urged that additional or
ganizers DO sent at once into Oregon,
Washington. Ohio, New York, New
Jersey, Arizona, and other States.
NATIONAL LEGIsLATURE PROPOSED.
Among his recommendations was one
that an organization be formed to be
known as the National Legislature, com
posed Of national president and prosi-
dents Of all the State alliances, their
duty being TO look closely after legis-
lative reforms demanded by the alliance,
both in State legislation and in Congress.
He recommended changes in the consti-
tuition and recitcd the demands to be
made IN the way of financial, land. cleo
ton. and tax reforms. He deprecated
fectionaiss and closed with an eloquent
appeal for national harmony.
REMARKS on TIE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
I'm his remarks upon the proposed ma
tional legislative council, President Polk
SAID " | would respectfully suggest the
creation Of q Legislative council to he
composed Of your national president,
who shall be cr-0HciO chairman. and the
presidents Of an the State Alliances
represented in the Supreme Council, and
that tins body shall hold its annual
meeting within sixty days after the adj
jouumcnt Of the Supreme Council at
such time and place as may be in
dicatod by the national president /;
that u be empowered and au-
thoriZci 70 appoint such Legislative
committees as in its Judgment may be
wise, and that It be required to transmit
TO each of the State Alliances by means
Of o printed form through the national
secretary, for distribution 10 the reform
press. lecturers, and membership Of the
order all measures or bills, together
with the arguments in their favor, as
iacy may decide should be enacted into
laws.
President Polk said that an organiza-
ton of this kind would weld "a moral
power which would enforce the respect
Of any Legislative body to which 1t might
appeal
POLITICAL ACTION OF THE ALLIANCE.
Touching upon the political action of
thcailance, President Polksaid "While
au organization is political it cannot be
partisan or sectional in its action. In
support OF this declaration We proudly
point to our whole past record and to the
recent popular election. and particularly
20 the noble and patriotic bearing OF the
ht0therhood in Kansas and South Caro-
lul"
THE ALLIANCE AND cONGREsS.
I'm reviewing the record OF the alli-
ence during the past year, and especially
With reference 10 the legislation demand
cd by it, the speaker declared that Con-
gress had persistently ignored all alliance
propositions and even suppressed dis
cussion OF them, notably In the case OF
the measure known as the sub-Treasury
bn. Congress, he said, "must come
nearer TO the people or the people will
get nearer TO Congress.
The remainder of the address was de-
voted 70 discussion of financial reform
and the policy of the alliance IN up
roofing sectionalism.
FUTURy POLICY OF THE ALLIANCE.
As outlining the future financial policy
Of the alliance, President Polk said that
It will demand restoration OF SILVER 10
oil the rights aud qualities OF legal
m