New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-04

The split IN the Democracy OF south Caro-
lima has served 10 bring the Farmers Alliance
into general prominence. This happens because
the candidate Of one OF the factions, the
doughty 1illman. l. supported lay the south
Carolina branch OF that organization, and be
cause it is this backing which makes his bolt
from the ~tmlghiOus' 50 Formidable. The
tanners lcaguc-an interesting account of
whose origin progress and purpose Is gwen on
another PAGE Of to-day'S TRlBUNE-correspondS
i'm fundamental particulars 10 the Alliance.
That is 10 say, il Is DEVOTED 90 the interests OF
the farmers by means of political action ; II aims
- send turner's TO the Federal and state LcgN-
latunc, or at all events 10 secure the election Ia
those bodies Of men pledged 10 work for the
enactment of such laws as seem calculated 10
afford farmers the help and protection which
experience has shown them they need AT the
hands Of the public Unlike the Alliance, the
League is not "A secret organization, although
Judging from what It's leading officials have to
say about II - our correspondent, still hunt Is
more 10 iIS taste than a brass band Thus far
each organization has its own distinctive field,
the Alliance culiYatlng the South and the W est.
while the League. which was organized in Mas
sachuscttS j. represented chiefly in the Eastern
and Middle states.
The main distinction with 4 difference be-
tween the Alliance and the League is one of
method. The Alliance is political party the
League. on the contrary, is content TO work
through the two long established political or
rnuizations The Alliance proposes regularly
to present candidates for office the League will
| refrain from making nominations unless il can
| not obtain from Republican or Democratic
nominees such pledges "a il may choose % exact.
T. will be seen that President Knapp, of the
| Farmers League OF this state, holds that the or
| ganzation with which be- is connected occupies
the stronger position OF the two. 'rhc Farm
cIS' Alliance he says, is a political party
and that will kill il. The country reScnts "A
class party. You notice that the Alliance has Il
platform which includes many things in which
| farmers are not Interested. That platform will
divide the farmers some will not join the Al
lance IN consequence OF it 1t will be inter
esting to hear how the Alliance folks will reply
to tins friendly criticism
All that President Powell, of the National
League and President Knapp, OF the State
! League have to say will command the attention
of political leaders, Republican and Democratic
| anu We llilHh ~ VIII DO FNHNi"h1 "SI''h 'hdl
their present demands are not unreasonable.
But is President Knapp fair when he accuses
the Legislature of this State Of having Snubbcd
the farmers in the past? Doubtless the farm
cr> Of NcW-i Urh have asked ior the passage of
nn, a few bills which have failed. But on the
whole. have they not been shown at least as
much consideration a. any other class in the
community? Certainly Republican Legislatures
| cannot be accused of negccting the farmer.
They have passed laws to prevent fraud in the
sale of dairy products; they have created the
Office of Dairy Commissioner for the purpose
| OF protecting the farmers from a class of swim