Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1890-08-29
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
COUNTY UNION FORMED.

recently for tho purpose OF forming
county union.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. Phil Chew, who asked that names
be suggested for officers-president,
vice-president, secretary and lecturer.
The delegates were all well-to-do.
thrifty, intelligent farmers. who assert
their determination to force all candi-
dates to sign the following pledge or
agreement:
s l. That the public lands, the heritage Of
the people, be reserved for actual settlers
only, not another acre to railroads or specu-
lators, and that all lands now held for spec
ulative purposes shall be taxed ut their full
value.
g. That measures be taken to prevent
aliens from acq uiring title to lands in the
United States ana Territories OF America,
and to force titles already acquired by
aliens to be relinquished to the National
Government by purchase and retain said
right of eminent domain for the use Of
actual settlers and citizens of the National
States. and that the law DO rigidly enforced
against all railroad corporations which
have not complied with the term Of their
contract by which they have received
grants of land.
3. That we demand the rapid payment Of
the public debt of the United States by
operating the mints OF the Government to
their full ca pacity in the coming silver and
gold. and the payment Of the same without
discrimination to the public creditors OF
the Nation, according to contract, thus
saving tho interest on the public dobt to
the industrial masses.
1. That we demand the abolition Of Ma
tional banks, the substitution OF legal ten
der notes in lieu OF National bank notes, is
sued in sufficient volume to do the business
OF the country on a cash system, regulating
the amount needed on per capita basis as
the business of the country expands, and
that all money issued by tho Governpent
shall be a legal tender in payment OF all
debts, both public and private:
5. That we demand that Congress shall
pass such laws that shall effectually pre-
vent the dealing in futures Of all agriculture
and mechanical productions. preserving a
strict system of procedure in trial as shall
secure prompt conviction, and imposing
such penalties as shall secure the most per-
feet mpliance with the law.
6. That we demand n graduated income
tax. as we believe it Is the most equitable
system of taxation, placing tho burden of
government on those who can afford best to
pay, instead of laying 1t on the farmers and
mechanics, exempttng milliOnaires, bond
holders and corporations.
Z. That we demand strict enforcement
OF all laws prohibiting the importation of
foreign labor under the contract system,
and that all convicts be confined within the
eprison wallis, and that all contract systems
be abolished.
8. That we demand that all IN cans of pub
lie communication and transporta ton shall
be owned and controlled by the people and
equitable rates everywhere be established
on the same basis as the United Stutes pos
tal system.
9. That we demand tho election of all off,
GERS OF the National Government by direct
vote OF the people, and that all wilful viola
tions of the election laws be declared . fol.
ony and part of the punishment be the
prohib ibftion of the party convicted from vot-
ing In all future elections
10. That wo demand u repeal OF all laws
that do not bear equally on capital and la.
Dor, the strict enforcement of all laws, re-
moval OF all unjust tcchnicalities, delays
and Determinations Ia the administration
of justice.
IL. We demand such a revision of the tariff
as will lay the heaviest burdens on tho lux
uries and the lightcst on the necessaries of
life, and rs will reduce the in come from i'm
ports to Il strictly revenue basis.
II. That we demand that the Government
shall protect the Chickasaws and Choctaws
and other civilized Indians Of the Indian
Territory in ALL OF their inalienuble rights,
and shall compel railroads and other
wealthy syndicates from overriding the
law and treaties now in existence for their
protection.
IL. That we are unqualificdly in favor Of
the education of the masses by q well reg
ulhted system OF free schools.
IA. That wo demand that no patent shall be
renewed after the expiration of the time for
which they were originally patented.
IL. That this body will not support any
man for Congress-, OF any political party,
who will not pledge himself in writing to
use his influence for the formation OF those
demands into laws.
SI,o sl>~ 49,. r.
shall present these resolutions 60 all candi-
dates for tho Legislature and Senate and ask
them to pledge themselves in writing to tho
demands herein, and II any candidate re-
fuse to pledge his support, then It shall be
our duty to defeat said candidate regardless
OF whit party he may belong to.
FORM OF rLRDoH.
hereby pledge myself to work and vote
for tho above demands, irrespective OF
party caucas or action.
The eleven lodges were represented
rs follows: Allentown, Isaiah T. Brown;
Grover, T. Nj. Wright and F. H. Tavlor;
Oak Grove. Elwood Humphreys and J.
Nj. Brewer; Mokeville, J. T. Hawkins
and w. N. Smith; Creve Ceur, A. J.
Cummings and George Longman; Mera-
mec, Ben Peasants, VIM. Kraemer and
c. Gaehle; Eureka, G. A. Jones, Chas
Crouch; Bridgeton, Phil Chew, w. II.
Blackwell. G. .B. Norton; Headlight,
VIM. J. Gates, J. r. Jones, Coldwate
and Bonhomme unions we're not rep
resented.
After considerable caucusing the fol-
lowing officers we're elected: William
Homan, president; George Brown, vice.
president; C. E. Stewart, secretary; Phil
Chew, treasurer; T. NJ. Wright lecturer;
assistant lecturer, William J. Gates;
business agent, George B. Morton; chap
lain, Elwood Humphreys; stewards, J.
Brewer, j. r. Jones; door-keepers, J. T.
Hawkins, w. Kramer; delegate to tho
State convention, Phil Chew; alternate,
William J. Gates.
A resolution was passed requesting
each sub-union to appoint committee
of five to arrange for mammoth picnic,
to be held some time in August All
adjourned meeting will be held July %,
by which time it is expected that twenty
T.. eIi-s5 more unions will be formed