The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-12-03
The FARMeRs. ALLIANCE.
The Platform Adopted at the State
Convention-Ltet Of Officers.


The state Farmers Alliance Convention,
in session at Harrisburg Wednesday night,
adopted the following platform Of principles
wHEaEss. There is q great depression in
the agricultural interests Of the country and
A s,ringency exists in money matters ana
WHEREAS, the tax laws Of this State are
unjust. inequiiabie, and oppressive made IN
the interest of favored classes and to The IN
Jury ofthe mass ofthe people, therefore oe II
Resosped. That the revenue or tax laws oi
this state should be revised by the next Leg
isIaiure. so that every species of property.
real personal, and mixed lands, bonds,
stock. money, ETC. be made 70 bear Its due
proportion Of the public burdens in order TO
relieve the owners Of real estate from the
unjust taxation TO which they are now sub
jected.
ResoIssd, That the volume Of the currency
is wholly inadequate for the business inter
ests of the country, and by reason therefore
the value of all kinds Of property has been
deprecated and financial distress has been
brought upon the country; and for relief IN
this direction, We favor the free coinage OF
silver, and deprecAte any discrimination IN
favor of one kind Of money at the expense
Of another.
Resolped, That we are opposed to all kinds
of trusts and combines whereby the necessi-
ties of Iife-fuel, clothing and all articles
which enter into daily use and consumption,
are sbnormaily enhanced in price 10 the
great injury Of the masses.
Resoleed, That We are opposed to the poll
cy Of allowing foreigners 10 own and hold
large b. dies Of land in this country for spec
Native purposes, for it tends to create
monopoly in the soil, similar to that existing
in certain European countries where the ex-
ecuiive landlord system prevails
Pesolped. That free and honest elections
imperatively demand a secret ballot and we
most earnestly request the Legislature al
once to call State convention for the pur-
pose Of making the necessary provision Tor
securing secret ballot for the voters OF this
State at the earliest possible time.
Resolred, That notwithstanding nearly all
classes Of persons, except the farming and
industrial classes, have had special iegisla-
lion beneficial 10 themselves. yet as We re-
gard class legislation wholly wrong and in
eoaitable we shall not demand it for our
selves bnt we shall demand from hence
forth equal and exact justice 10 all.
Rssolred. That we hold that the C0nstitu'
tion of the United States shall be amended
recurring the election of United States Sen
ators by A direct vote Of the people, in order
that higher order Of talent may be secureC
in that body. and men prevented from Sc
curing the position hy means of their weaiti
alone and filing the Senate with million
aires regardless Of the proper qualification.
Resolted, That we are ia hearty sympath,
with all the industrial classes Of our land
and ,rustthat by all lawful means they may
co operate to bring about the much'needet
retyrms 10 legislation, and otherwise secure
the rights that justly belong 10 them.
The following officers we're elected for ths
ensuing year President, Henry Snaveiy
of Lebanon; Wee President, Curtis s. Clark
ofCrawford Lecturer. s ;. Potts. Of India
ma county Secretary, II nry G. Dsmmine
of Daupbin county Treasurer, Valentino
Hay, of Somerset county; Business Agent
L. II. Werner OF sona,r.o' Ezooa'iSe Board
Henry Brobst OF Berks county, FL. Rock
of Potter countr and William While o
Adam, county Jud c AIRY d arr H. scha
of ArmNrncg count. W. 2. Broker, Of Ly
comnis c,unty, and T. McAllister, OF Adam
CO. Dele<ates to the National Farmers Ali
ance. Henri G. Demminr. Il fDauphin coun
} tv. aud A W. X iepper, Of spnierset alter
nases. !. s Pous. Indiana county ana Il
Young. of York coulty Caspian. 3
Kent. of Greene county; Stewart. J. X
Brudbaker. of Lebanon county; Doorkeep
er. Robinson Reed. of Potter county Assist
, ant Doorkeeper ID NJ 0mwake, of Frsnkl
r county; Sergeant at Arms, John Dieiier
bach, of Berks coun'y.
A resolution was passed unanimously I
have summer encamPment, and com
mittee was appointed with full powers o
the subject. The committee are II. {. Dem
ming. Chairman J B. Moore, and William
While.
One of the features Of the convention wa
the report Of the joining OF nearly four thou
J sands farmers in one day last week. The
came principally from thecouuties ofGreen
Washington, FSyeitee, and Potter. Th
banner county in the State in number
local Alliances is Greene with ffly-one an
an average membership in each Alliance
over ffy.