The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-12-13
FARMERS ALLIANCE,
Meeting Of the National Conven-
ton of the Order at Ocala, Fla
President Polk Outlines the Policy Of the
Alliance-A New Political Party
May be Formed-Investigating
Charges Against Leading
Members of the Order,

Charges Against Leading
Members of the Order,
ocALA, Fla, Dec. 3.-The national
convention of the National Farmers
Alliance and Industrial Union met here
Tuesday afternoon in the opera house.
About 200 persons wsre present Gov
ernor Fleming welcomed tho delegates.
Hon. John +. Dunn, q prominent aspir-
ant for the United States Senatorship,
followed the Governor in brief ad-
dress President Foulls, of the South
Dakota Alliance, delivered an address
In which he predicted victory for the
Alliance at the ballot-box in 1892 This
sentiment was cheered to the echo by
tho delegates. All the speakers pre-
dioted the general prevalence within
short time Of the ideas embodied in the
Alliance platform adopted at st Louis.
Chairman Rogers introduced President
Polk, who delivered his annual address.
The address congratulates the Alli-
ance on it's achievements since the last
meeting and then reviewed the causes
of agricultural depression. The pres!-
don't declared that this depression is an
anomaly to the student of industrial
progress. "Retrogression in American
agriculture" he said, "means national
decay, and powerful and promising as is
this giant republic, yet its power and
glory touch not the degradation of the
American farmer"
Of the money power and upbuilding of
monopolies was then pointed out and
both political parties were condemned
for forcing and encouraging this condi-
tion.
The president urged that additional
organizers be sent at once to Oregon,
Washington, Ohio. New York, New Jer-
Bey, Arizona and other States Among
his recommendations was one that an
organization be formed to be known as
the National Legislative Council, COM
posed of the national president and the
presidents of all State Alliances, their
duty being to look after legislative re-
form demanded by the Alliance, both in
State Legislation and Congress. He
deprecated sectionalism and closed with
IN eloquent appeal for national har-
mony.
In relation to the political action OF
the Alliance, President Polk said that
while the order is political, it can not
be partisan or sectional in its action. In
support of this declaration, the presi-
dent pointed to the record of the Alli-
ance in tho recent popular election and
particularly to the noble and patriotic
bearing of the Alliance in Kansas and
South Carolina.
In regard to the record of the Alliance
during the past year, and especially
with reference to the legislation de-
manded by it, Mr.. Polk declared that
Congress had persistently ignored all OF
their propositions, notably in the case
of the measure known as the Sub-Treas-
ury bill. Congress-" no said must
como nearer to the people or they will
get nearer to Congress-"
In outlining the future policy OF the
Alliance President Polk said that it will
demand the restoration of silver to all
the rights and qualities of legal tender
which gold possesses; the issuance of
Government currency direct TO tho peo-
Pile; equalization of taxes; prohibition
of alien ownership of land; ownership
Government; limit of public revenues
TO the economic administration of the
Government; graduated taxation of in
comes and the election of United States
Senators by a direct vote of the people.
When President Polk had concluded
the convention resolved itself into q
sort of 'love feast" during which C. A..
Power, q Union soldier from Indiana
moved that all ex-soldiers in the hall
who indorsed the sentiments expressed
In the speeches with reference to the
burial of seotionalism, rise up to be
counted. Between forty and fifty men
stood up amid the widest enthusiasm.
Somebody suggested that three cheers
be given for the ex-Confed rates in the
Alliance, and thoy were given with
will. Then the x-Confederates present
cheered tho ex-Union soldiers to the
echo. The cheers ended with an old
fashioned "rebel yell" The conven-
tion then ad djourned until this morning.
The conduct of DIR. Macune. editor of
the National Economist, is likely to be
investigated and may prove bombshell
in the deliberations of the Alliance. 1t
is charged that DIR. Macune has violated
the policy of the Alliance in his ad-
vocacy of the Conger lard bill; in his op-
position to the Paddock pure food bill;
in his indorsement of Speaker Reeds
rulings, and dnally in his characteriz-
ing tariff reform as the galvanized
ghost of soctionalism and disloyalty."
OcALA, Fla, Doc. T. AT the Farmers
Alliance convention yesterday morning,
a resolution was adopted providing for
committee of one from each State dele
cation TO investigate the conduct of DIR.
Macune, the chairman of the National
Executive Committee, and l.. +. Liv-
ingstone, president of the Georgia State
Alliance, and President Polk in refer
ence to the charges against these gem
tlemen that they were influenced in the
action regarding the Senatorship by
monied considerations. The committee
Is also empowered to investigate any
other charges which may be brought
against these officers.
Resolutions were offered providing for
changes in the constitution as to the
eligibility to membership. for the elec-
tion of legislative council, and for
redefining franchises so as TO make the
convention a strictly representative
body.
OcALA, Fla, Dec. 5.-The National
Farmers Alliance met at 10:3o yester-
day and the first hour was devoted to a
discussion Of inside topics. A. Gal