Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-09-04
THE COT-NTy ALLIANCE

The Belmont County Farmers ALI
ance met in Court House Hall, on Thurs
day, seven subordinate Alliances being
represented. Hon. a T. McKelvey pre-
sided, and in the absence of the Secretary,
R. Z. Giffin was chossn Secretary. The
forenoon was occupied in minute bust
ness and reports from subordinate Ali
ances.
At the afternoon meeting the reports
of the delegates to the recent meeting of
Fthe Farmers Union at Columbus, was
heard from Messrs. Neptune, c. H. Arick
and Matthew Greenlee, and resolution
prevailed endorsing the platform of the
State Union.
The regular programme being in order,
Hon. VIM Bundy opened the discussion
on "The need of organization" The
speaker said he felt discouraged because
of the small attendance and advocated
the attendance of ladies upon the meet
ings. To be success, said the speaker,
the ladies must be interested. He re-
industry of the country, and character
lied other pursuits as children, and de-
clared that it was necessary for agricul
ture to protect itself against the young
er members of the family. To do this it
was necessary to organize. In his judg
ment there was not enough social inter
course among farmers, and the standard
of intelligence was not sufficiently high.
He paid his respects to the Standard Oil
Company, Match Company combines,
bogus butter people, etc, and expressed
the belief that farmers are the only peo-
pie who will control them, closing with
the sentiment that "the hand that holds
the plow ought to rule the world
The subject being open for general dis
cussiOn, J. H. Denham spoke briefly, de-
ploring the fact that organization pro-
gressed so slowly that there were now in
the county but ten Alliances, running
from ten to thirty members each. Mr..
Denham concluded by offering resolu
ton providing for committee to confer
with publishers to secure space for mat
ter pertaining to the Alliance.
Mr.Arick thought if the Alliance them
selves couldn't make confusion enough
in the county, they couldn't do it through
the papers; he didn't want to beg any
thing.
Denham replied that publishers here
tOfore willingly published items pertain
ing to to the Alliance.
David Hawthorn thought it would be
asking too much of the papers, but if the
Alliance was good thing, people ought |
to know it.
After considerable discussion pro and |
con, the matter was adjusted by sub |
stitnte offered by r. E. Giffin, which was
adopted, providing that Secretaries of su-
bordinate Alliances be requested to re-
port proceedings of meetings to county |
papers as news, to be used by them as
they see proper.
Mr.. G. NJ. Wise, who was present, al |
though not member of the Alliance,
was called upon and made few we'll |
timed remarks, as to the power of organ
ization, and said that SO County Record
ers had more influence over legislation |
than all the farmers of the State, simply |
because they are organized. The farmer
should get his eyes open and look around |
and see what is going on in the world.
Mr.. Arick, in referring to the rapid |
growth of the Alliance, said that he got |
scared sometimes, and was afraid that it |
would get too big and blowup.
Mr.. McKelvey spoke of organization
as it effects legislation, saying that it was
a powerful force, effecting all channels
of legislation.
The subject of "HOw can the Alliance
benefit the Farmer?" was opened by Mr.
T. G. Mercer in well-prepared paper
The question was further discussed by
Mr.. l. II. Day, who favored the doing
away with middlemen, and the establish
ing of agencies for supplying demands
Under miscellaneous business, various
topics of general nature were discussed
and on motion the Alliance adjourned to
meet Thursday, December 4, at 10 oclock
Mr.. GEORGE ROBINSON, who has filled
the Office of County Treasurer for four
years, retired from Office on Monday.
During his incumbency of the office he
has handled large sums of public money.
He came from the workshop to the office,
and succeeded in discharging its duties
with the same rugged honesty and integ-
rity that characterized HIM in the work
shop. During the latter part of his ser
vice he was ably assisted by Mr.. Walter
Lewis, as Deputy, who became quite
popular with the public. Chief and Dep
uty retire with the best wishes of the
people, and with consciousness of duty
well performed.
The new Treasurer, Mr. F. B. Archer,
is young business man entirely capable
of assuming the duties of the position.
He is pleasant and agreeable in manner,
correct in his department, and will make
a popular officer. Mr.. Howard Kirk, of
is Deputy, and they both take
hold like old hands at the business.
EDDIE COMBS and Bull McDonough,
the Wheeling toughs who escaped from
our Jail on May oath last, pending SEN
tence after conviction for highway rob-
berry of John Watkins at Bridgeport, were
at Bessemer, Ala, by
detective, and Sheriff FOulke, assisted by
Frank Boston, brought them back on
Monday to the County Jail, where they
may sing away down in Alabama in
stead of well gather at the River
their refrain the night before their es-
cape. 1t will be recalled that Mr.. Wat
kins died from the effects of wounds re-
ceived at their hands, and it is possible
they will now be required to answer for
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