The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-11
The Attitude Of the Farmers Alliance


The Farmers Alliance have a national
headquarters in Washington, whence they
have watched the results of the congression-
al elections, and their Secretary, Mr.. d. ii.
Rittenhouse, has expressed an opinion which
shows how the recent victory is regarded In
Allan quarters he claims that in New
Hampshire and Massachusetts the Farmer
League, with some help from the Knights of
Llbor, aided materially IN the Demo-
cratic victory; and that the Farmers,
League and Alliance together aided
somewhat in New York and New
Jersey, although they are just starting
10 those States. In Ohio there is no organiza-
ton Of the Alliance and the Democratic tri-
umph there was not one of votes but of the
gerrymander; Indiana and Illinois nave
been organized only three months, but they
made strong fight, the Farmers Mutual
Benefit Association doing especially effective
work against the Republicans; in Missouri,
Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsin where the
political revolution appears in its most vio-
lent form the Alliance is In its greatest
strength and prosperity; In the South also,
where the Democratic organization has been
revolntionized the Alliance is we'll esta5-
lished. Mr. RiItenhouse claims, In short,
that the Alliance caused both the great over
throws which overlook the Southern Demo-
cratic leaders in the caucuses last summer
and the recent defeat of the Republicans in
In the North. Of course the Farmers ALI
ance has not done the things claimed by Mr..
Rittenhouse without some object Such
revolutions are not set afoot for fun. Mr.
Rttenhouse explains one of the most impor-
tant Objects
The farmers desired to rebuke the party in
power for their reckless disregard of the people
demands. This Congress was petitioned for free
coinage from almost every Alliance In the United
States; The petitions were ignored. This ground
swell does not prove that the Alliance and kin
dIed organizations will support the Democrats in
1892. If the Democrats fail to give a greater
kind of punishment in 1892. We are Determined
to be felt aud if this House ignores our petitions
we Will send House Of our own.
Everyone knows what "free coinage"
means. 1t means that every man who has
4l25 grains of silver, which is worth from
seyenty-fiye to ninety cents according to the
State ofthe silver market, may take it to the
United States mint, have it coined for moth.
ing and carry it away a silver dollar. 1t
means that every man who has loaned a dol
lar may be paid back with one of these de-
preciated dollars. This is the old greenback
idea in another form, only it is more formi-
dable movement than the Greenback move
ment ever was. The Farmers Alliance
wants other things. 1t is against corpora
tions; it abominates lawyers and will
under no conditions support one for office:
In some States, notably in Minnesota. the
Alliance calls for the abolition of the Su-
preme Court; it seeks the revaluation of
mortgages, an aim that will be appreciated
by those who hold western farm mortgages /:
1t clanlors for the repeal of laws for the COL
lection of debts: and contemplates the tax
log possession of railroads by the State I:
and finally it proposes that the government
shall advance money to the farmers, taking
their crops In storage as security and issuing
legal tender notes against them.
This is the Farmers Alliance, which has
It's hand upon the throat of the big Demo-
cratic majority in Congress. Mr. Ritten.
mouse says that the Democratic party must
dance when the Alliance pipes; and IL IL
does not dance, woe to it. Win the Demo
cratic party dance? 1t danced In u.ino
when the Greenbackers arose in their might.
1t is dancing in the South before the Auienoa
now. There can be no doubt that II vii, Az
little to stem the tide anywhere. Tho Do
publican party alone can be relied upon 10 do
that; and 1t must be preparing for the frav