St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-14

elected officers. They were almost
without exception Republicans and
third party men. The eligibility clause
In this constitution provided that any
newspaper editor or manager could bs:
come a member if only he advocated
the Alliance measures as promlii=
gated in the famous st. Louis
demands. The Ocala demands
had not then been adopted
and the ST. Louis demands did not in-
clude the sub-treasury bill. All reform
editors and managers identified with
the Knights of Labor movement or with
a promotion of the interests of the
Farmers Mutual Benefit association,
were also eligible to membership in this
association. The name of
Hon. w. s. McAllister,
of Mississippi, who is a well-known
newspaper man and writer on Alliance
topics, was proposed for membership
and he was admitted. although he-was
not present at the meeting, his name
was duly enrolled. No further meeting
of the reform press was held until yes
terday, when members were called to
order in the after-salOon of the steamer
White, on her way from Rock Lodge to
Titusville. About a dozen we're
present and Mr.. McAllister of
fered the secretary his member
ship fee in open meeting. AS that Off
cial was about to receive money, Mr.,
Vincent. of Kansas, one of the editors
of the NOncOnformiSt, arose and said
that. inaSmuch as some dissatisfaction
had been expressed at the elasticity of
the eligibility claSe of the constitution,
lie moved that no more applicants be
admitted to full membership until the
constitution had been amended to meet
this objection. DR.. Macune then moved
that the old constitution be abolished in
toto, which was done. Then Vincent
drew from his pocket a
A Brand-New Constitution,
which he proceeded to read, and which
was rushed through to an adoption
without allowing any debate OH its va
riOuS sections. This instrument con-
tanned a restricted eligibility clause
which shut out all newspapers which
do not advocate the SubtreaSury bill,
and which provided for the organiZa-
tiOn of a legislative board which shall
designate from time to time the meas
ures and demands to be advocated by
the reform press. This action was un-
doubtedly prompted by determine
tion to shut out all newspapers and
newspaper men not in sympathy with
luC SuD-tIodSuIy Jill anu blc IulTu parry
project. Mr.. McAlliSter was seen late
last night and asked:
"What, III your opinion, will be the result
of their combinations! Will a third parry
actually come out of them?'
"If designing men can control the ran K
and file of the Alliance membershi Zip and a
third party will inevitably result but doubt
the ability of these men to iong mislead and
deceive the people whom they are protesting
to serve. l have always held the Farmers
Alliance to be non-partisan and therefore
non political In fact its organic pretension
enjoins strict non.interference in partisan
politics. Its success depends upon unity
and harmony. Hence, the introduction Of
partisan politics would be fatal to
the purpose for which it was insti-
tuted. The Alliance is a sectional organiza-
ton and if politics are admitted it at once
becomes sectional political organization
Such organizations are repugnant TO the
spirit of free institutions, and if sanctioned.
must invariably destroy them. Their un-
hallowed history is written by violence class
disturbances, social disruption and the tragi,s
wreck of governments. / have the utmost
confidence in the justice, conservatism anc
patriotism of the farming class. and when
this Issue shall be equally made, doubt not
that my position as here outlined will De
overwhelmingly sustained