Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-12-03
THE SoIL-TILLERS.
Alliance National Convention at
Oca1a, Florida.
a NEW POLITICAL FORCE AT HAND


70 Cut Figure In the Elections of 1S9e
Address OF the National President and
His Formulation of Demands--The SUBJ
Treasury scheme Still Dear TO the
Granger Heart-A Move to Absorb the
Negro Vote Into the Democracy.
OcALA, Fla, Dec 3.-The National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union
met at noon yesterday There was almost
full attendance The proceedings We're
opened by the reading of President Folks
annual address. The address congratu-
iates the Alliance on its achievements
since the last meeting aud then reviews
the causes of agricultural depression. The
president declares that this depression is
an anomaly 10 the student Of industrial
progress. "Retrogression in American ag-
riculture," ne said, means national de
cay, and powerful and promising as is this
giant republic, yet its power and glory
touch not the degradation of the Ameri-
can farmer" The alarm incident to cen
tralization of the money power and up
building Of monopolies was then pointed
out and both political parties were con
demned for forcing and encouraging this
condition.
Looking After Legislation.
The president urged that additional or.
ganizers be sent at once in Oregon, Wash
hgton, Ohio, New York, New Jersey.
Arizona, and other states. Among his
recommendations was one that an organi-
eation be formed to be known as the '.na-
tional legislature, " composed of the nation
al president and the presidents of all state
Alliances, their duties being to look after
Legislative reform demanded by the ALI
ances both in state legislation and con-
gress He deprecated sectionalism and
closed with an eloquent appeal for nation
al harmony
Powers of the New Organization.
In his recommendation upon the pro-
posed national Legislative council Presi-
dent Polk said: II would respectfully
suggest that a legislative council, be
composed of your national president, who
shall be ex officio chairman and the pres
idents Of all the state Alliances represent
ed IN the supreme council, and that this
body be empowered and author
lied TO appoint such legislative commit
tees as in its judgment may be wise, and
that it be required TO transmit TO each of
the states, in printed form, through the ma
tional secretary, for distribution to the
reform press, lecturers and membership of
the order, all measures or bills together
with arguments in their favor. that they
may decide should be enacted into laws y
Serves Notice on Congress.
In relation TO the political action of the
Alliance, President Polk said that while
the order is political, it cannot be partisan
or sectional In its action In support of
this declaration, the president pointed to
the record of the Alliance in the recent
popular election and particularly to the
noble and patriotic bearing of the brother
hood in Kansas and South Carolina. In
regard to the record of the Alliance during
the past year, and especially with reference
to the legislation demanded by it. Polk de-
clared that congress had persistently ig.
nored ali of their propositions, notably in
the case OF the measure known as the sub
treasury bill Congress, " he said, must
come nearer TO the people, or they will get
nearer to congress"
Future Policy and Demands
In outlining the future policy of the AL
lance he said that it will demand the res
qualities of legal tender which gold pos
sesses; the issuance of government cur-
rency direct to the people; equalization of
| taxes; prohibition of alien ownership of
land ownership and control of transpor-
tation lines by the government; limit of
public revenues TO the economic admins
tration OF the government; graduated tax
| alton OF incomes and the election of
United States senators by direct vote of
the people.
Predicts Victory In 1899.
President Fouls, of the South Dakota
| Alliance, also delivered an address, in
! which he predicted victory for the AL
| lance at the ballot box in 1892 This SEN
timent was cheered to the echo by the
| delegates. All the speakers predicted the
| general prevalence within short time of
the ideas embodied in the Alliance plat
| form adopted at ST. Louis
Bridging the Bloody Chasm.
When the regular speeches were con-
clnded the convention resolved itself into
a sort of love FEAST during which C. A.
| Power, Union soldier from Indiana.
moved that all ex soldiers in the hall who
Endorsed the sentiments expressed in the
| speeches with reference TO the burial of
sectionalism rise up to be counted, Be
| lNtcu ioItS anu IneD SJOOO AMID
| the widest enthusiasm Somebody sug-
| gested that three cheers be given for the
| ex-Confederates in the Alliance, and they
were given with a will. Then the Confed-
crates present took their innings, and
cheered the ex-Union soldiers to the echo.
The cheers ended with wild, old fash
Toned rebel yell" The convention then
adjourned for the day.
he Ouesffnu nf n Eaxr
Mr. Tillman, of Tennessee, the statistic
ian of the Alliance said last night that the
question of forming new political party,
which would put presidential ticket in
the field in 1892, would probably come up
for discussion at this meeting, but he pre-
diets that the question will be disposed of
by referring it to the different state ALI
ances for individual action The first bus
mess session of the Alliance was held last
night. The session was secret, as will be
all those that follow Eighty eight dele
gates were present. In addition to the
delegates there are ten OF twelve oersons
entitled to vote, which brings the numer-
ical strength of the body up TO 100
a Move on the Negro Vote.
The annual meeting of the national
Colored Farmers Alliance began here to-
day. The organization embraces twenty
two states and has mem bership of up
wards of 100000. Fifty delegates are
present. The chief purpose of the organi-
cation is political division of the negroes.
which c0ntemplates the absorption of
much of their voting strength fy The Dem.