Workmen's advocate., 1890-12-06
The Farmers Movement.

perhaps, too early to determine with detinlteness the extent of the agricuit- ural influence in bringing about the result, as a whole, though the strength of the Alliance movement in particular localities was manifested in most un- mistakable way. It is said on the auth ority of Alliance men that of the mem. bers elected to the Fifty second Congress thirty-tive or forty are members of the Alliance, and that other members are in sympathy with the movement, It is well known that ill Kansas the Alliance has succeeded in electing majority of the legislature. In South Carolina the governor elect is an Alliance man, though he ran on the Democratic ticket, and it was his connection with the far. mers' movement that secured him the nomination. In both South and North Carolina the legislatures are controlled by the Alliance.
 In several other states the Alliance movement was potent both in the con- ventions and at the polls though, owing to the fact that the Alliance men felt obliged this year to fight mainly within the lines of existing parties, their strength cannot be accurately measured. The managers of the Alliance counted on having their representatives in the Fifty second Congress in position to shape the course of legislation to a greater or less extent by preventing either of the other parties from securing majority, but the unexpected majority of the Democrats has disappointed that hope. The Alliance has met reverse in Georgia, where 1t was regarded as hay ing great strength and where its first fight to secure representation in the Federal Senate was made. This defeat, however, is explained by the adherents in the movement on the ground of the personal popularity of Governor Gordon, the successful candidate. The reverse has not disheartened them, and they are going to persevere in the endeavor to secure direct representation in the Senate where possible, and where direct representation is not practicable to e1- cure at least the election of men more or less in sympathy with their views. Indeed, some of the more sanguine among the Alliance men are talking of the possibility of running a candidate for President in 1899, and even of the possibility of electlng him. Al any rate, it is probable that the Alliauce may take more decided part in the elections of 1899 than it has in those of the present year. This aud other mat ters will doubtless come up for discus sion at tke congress of the Alliance, which will open in Ocala, Fla. next week. At this congress, also, occasion may be taken to put the demands of the Alliance before the people in a more forcible way than has yet been done, and perhaps the proposal which has been made that the Knights of Labor join hands with the Alliance may be passed upon. The part taken by the Alliance in the late elections will render the proceedings of the congress of gen eral interest.
 Another subject which will come up for discussion at the congress is that of federation or other combination of the several great agricultural organizations. It should be understood that the Far mer's Alliance is not the only organiza- tion of this kind which has taken a part i'll the elections this year, though 1t is at present the most important, There are in existence several other Organiza. tions having essentially similar objects, such as the Grange or Patrons Of Illus bandry, the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association, the Patrons of Industry, the Farmers League. and other organ izatiOns of lesser strength. It is now proposed to form a sort of federation of these organizations. The general plan of such d federation is set forth in the AniculturiSt. Promising that thus far the attempr to unify the forces repre-. sented by these organizations into one order has failed, that some form of combination is necessary and that an almagamatiOn could last but a short time, owing to certain diversiteS of in terest among the different bodies, the journal referred to suggests the form ation of an American Association of Agricultural Organizations, with an active board composed of executive officers of the various national orders among farmers, whose business 1t would be to devise methods of cooperation upon matters upon which general agreement could be reached At the same time matters upon which diver sity Of opinion should be found to exist would be left to the individual organiza tions. The proposition is an interesting one, and embodies plan which, if put into actual operation, might have inn portant results. It will be interesting to see what action will be taken in reference to it by the coming Alliance congress.
 In the plan as outlined by the journal just referred to the main purposes set