The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-06
Wells Up in One Unbroken Roar Of
Denunciation of Porter's
Census.
The National Farmers Alliance
Condemns It AS Grossly
Incorrect.
ments. Adopted-Dr. Macune's Re.
port--A Convention Called.

ance passed resolution reciting that the
United States census returns, with respect
to farm mortgages, were grossly incorrect.
and calling upon all county and sub. .alli-
ances in all the states to take immediate
steps towards securing accurate statistics
from the county records and make prompt
reports thereon. A resolution asking that
the Worlds fair be closed on Sundays was
passed without opposition. National Sec
retary Turner submitted his annual report.
During the past year 1869 new charters
were, issued to sub-alliances as follows;
West Virginia, 252; Colorado. 152; Indiana,
132; Michigan, log; Virginia, 95; Illi-
nois, 81; South Carolina, SO; Ohio,
81. Pennsylvania, 50; New Jersey, 20; Min
nesota, s, Iowa, s; Oregon, l; Oklahoma, /.
State charters were issued to the following
states: Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Mich
igan, West Virginia, Oklahoma and North
Dakota.
Some question having been raised as to
the unanimous Endorsement of the st. Louis
platform by the national alliance last year,
Livingston, of Georgia, moved its adoption
by the present body. Some debate fol-
lowed, but the motion was adopted with an
amendment so as to demand the govern
ment control of the railroads and selegraph
lines, and if this shall not result in relief
to the masses and in checking
or curing the existing evils, the
government shall become the actual
owners of such lines. This plat
form does not include the sub-treasury bill.
An amendment was adopted that every al
ckofo oS>1 all
newspaper organizations of the alliance,
shall support the platform or suffer sus-
pension from the order; that no candidate
for any national political Office shall be sup
ported by the alliance unless he endorses
the platform, and any sub-alllance not
complying with these restrictions may be
suspended at the pleasure of the president.
The st. Louis platform, as thus amended.
was adopted unanimously upon call of the
roll by states.
Col. Livingstone, of Georgia, from the
committee on organization, made report
to furnish the basis for ultimate union be-
tween the National Frrmers' alliance and
the Industrial union, and the Farmers Mu-
tual Benefit association. Under this plan,
the Benefit association would still maintain
its separate organization, but be entitled to
representation in the National Alliance
council and the executive committee of
each organization should meet hereafter
and arrange the details of union. The re-
port wns adopted.
DIR. Macune. chairman of the national
executive committee, submitted his annual
report. 1t referred at length to the sub
treasury bill drawn and presented to con-
gress. The committee's mission in this
respect is virtually ended, because the alli-
ance had elected several congressman who
would look after pushing the bill through
the national legislature. In short time,
he said, congress will pass the bill, if not
willingly, then by compromise The report
recommended the reduction of the salary
of all national alliance cfficers and the re-
moval from Washington of the president's
office, inasmuch as the retention OF it there
entails expense not commensurate with it's
usefulness.
At the conclusion of the report DR.. Ma
cune addressed the convention upon the
policy of the alliance, especially with ref
erence to its position upon leading public |
and its attitude toward democrats |
and republicans IN future political con-
tests. After adjournment he gave the As
sociated press the following synopsis of his |
utterances on the third party question:: ~
told the delegates that the people in tho |
southern states were not prepared to en-
bark in third party movements; that in |
for conservation and caution. recon-
mended as compromise that would carry |
out the end sought to be achieved by the |
west and north If it met the appreciation of
The south that convention be called for
February, '92; to be composed OF delegates |
from all associations of producers and that |
The next annual session of the supreme
council elect delegates to represent this
order in that convention. This would not |
commit the people, but provide means
whereby they could express themselves on |
The question through their county and state
during the coming year.
hen the convention meets the delegates
would come there with authority aud in |
.tructions from their people. If tho people
decide in favor of independent party action
It will prevail; if not, the cause will still be
benefited by the conference, and there will
be better understanding of the objects |
labor organizations are seeking to achieve"
Macune thinks this will satisfy both sides.
The annual election of officers was held
This afternoon. President Polk aud Vicc-
President Cover, of Kansas, were unani-
nously reelected; j. H. Turner, of Georgia,
was elected secretary, and j. s. Willetts, Of
Kansas, national le cturer.