Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-12-13
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
Meeting of the National Body at
0cala, Fla
President Folks Address-The Alliance
adopts the ST. Louis PIatform-The
Georgia AHaIr.

The convention held its first official session
at noon, in the Opera House at ocaa Fla
The only business done was the calling Of the
roll and the appointment of Committee on
Credentials After recess for dinner another
session was held, and Governor Fleming. of
Florida, made formal speech of welcome,
which was enthusiastically received. John
F. Dunn, prominent sspirant Tor the United
States Senatorship, followed the Governor in
brief address. President Foulks, of the
South Dakota Alliance, delivered an address,
in which he predicted victory for the Alliance
at the ballot box in 1892. This sentiment
was cheered to the echo by the de gates All
the speakers predicted the general prevalence
within short time of the ideas embodied in
the Alliance platform adopted at St Louis.
President Polk, in his annual address, said
in part;
OF this great revolution for reform, involving
issues momeutus and stupendous in their
character as etlecting the present and future
welfare of the people, the public mind is nat
uraily directed TO this meeting with anx ious
interest, il not solictude, and you cannot be
unmindlul OF the importance aud responsible
Coming IRON states and localities remote from
each other, and differing widely from each
other IN their material and physiological in
terests, and marked by those social aud polit.
zeal differences which must necessarily arise
under our form of government il is your grae-
ions priv lege, as il shall be your crowning
honor, 10 prove to the world 10y your harmon
ions action and thoroughly fraternal cooper
alton, that your sup. eme purpose to meet the
demands OF patriotic duty in the spirit of
equity and Justice"
The alarm incident TO Capitalization of the
money power and upbuilding of monopoies
was then pointed out and both political par.
ties were condemned for forcing and encour.
aging this condition. In his Recommendation
upon the proposed national legislative coua.
ell, President Polk said:
Il would,respeetfully suggest that lcgisla.
tive council be founded TO be eompo .ed of
your national pre- ideni who shall b. er.offriq
chairman and the presidents of all the state
alliances represented il the supreme council,
and that this body shall hold its annual meet.
Ing within sixty days after the adjournment Of
the supreme council at such time and place as
may be designated by the national president
that it may be empowered and authorized to
appoint such legislative committees as in its
judgment may be wise. and that il be requir.
ed to transmit to each of the states in printed
form through the national secretary for dis
trlbuton to the reform press, lecturers and
membership OF the order. All measurcrs or
bills, together with arguments in their flyor
as they NAV decide should be enact, d into
laws"
In relation to che political action Of the alli-
anee, President Polk said that while the order
lspollt.cali 1t cannot be partisan or sectional
in It's action. In support OF this declaration
the presi lent pointed TO the record of the ALI
ance IN tie recent popalaT election and par
tlcularly To the noble patriotic bearing of the
brotherhood an ! r..-
In regard to the record Of The alliance during
the past year and especially with reference 10
the legislation demanded by it, Mr. Polk de-
clared that congress had persistently ignored
all OF tneIr propositions nptIbiy in the case
OF the measure known as the sub-treasury bill
congress, he SAID, must come nearer TO the
people or they will get nearer to congress-
In outlining the future policy of the
alliance President Polk said that it will de.
mand the restoration OF silver 10 all the rights
and qualities of legal ter Ter which gold
possesses; the issuance of government cur
rency, direct to the people; equalization of
taxes; prohibition OF alien ownership Of land;
ownership and control OF transportation lines
by the government; limit Of public revenues
to the economic admin stration OF the govern,
menti graduated taxation of incomes and the
election of United Suites senators by a direct
vote Of the people.
When President Polk had concluded the
convention resolved itself into sort of love
feast" during which &. A. Pope, a Union
soldier from Indiana, moved that all ex-
soldiers in the hall who endorsed the senti
ments expressed in the speeches with reference
to the burial of s,ctionaliSm, rise up to be
counted. b tween forty aud fifty men stood
up amid the widest enthu asm. Somebody
suggested that three cheers be given for the
ex-conicderates in the alliance and they were
given with a will. Then the confederates
present had their innings and cheered the
ex-union soldiers to the echo. The cheers
ended with wild, old-fashoned yell. The
convention then adjourned until 8 O'Clock
next morning.