The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-06-13
DAKOTA CONVENTION.
An Independent Party in the
Field.

10lQ.
Dakota gave forth to the world
last week token ofher independence.
While we are growing and grooming
over this side OF the line, asking for
crumbs from corrupt tyranny, Da-
kota steps forward with her head
erect. There is touch of old-time
patriotism and chivalry about the
Dakota farmer. If they think q
thing is right, they say so without
asking some old smoked-bone aris-
tocracy if they think it is 'policy."
The vote for an independent party
stood413 to 83-and it is our opinion
that a convention in this state, held
out in the state, would vote the same
way.
The following is the platform:
"We the delegates of the South Da-
kota Farmers Alliance and Knights
of Labor in convention assembled,
do adopt as a platform and declara-
ton OF principles the platform of the
National Farmers Alliance and In
dustrial Union and Knights OF La
Dor, substantially, as adopted at
their St. Louis convention in Deem
Der, 1889, and of the State alliance
OF South Dakota.
First-We demand currency to be
issued by the general government, to
be full legal tender, to increase in
volume with the increase OF business,
to be issued directly to productive
industries without Intervention OF
banks OF issue.
Second-We demand railway trans
portation, telegraph and telephone
service at actual cost, and that the
government shall own and operate
same.
Third-We demand the free and I'M
limited coinage OF silver.
Fourth-We demand the most rig
id economy consistent with the safe
ty OF our state and nation in the ad-
ministration OF every branch of our
government.
Sixth-We demand the passage of
laws prohibiting the alien ownership
of land, and that congress take
steps to obtain lands owned by
aliens and foreign syndicates, and
that lands now held by corporations
in excess OF such as is actually used
and needed by them be reclaimed by
the government and held for actual
settlers only"
The convention also endorsed pro-
hibition and woman suffrage-both
almost unanimously. The following
brief and pertinent address was is
sued:
owe, the committee, pursuant to
authority given to us by an assem-
blage OF people from all parts OF
South Dakota, convened in the city
OF Huron, S. D., June 6, 1890, and
who in this sovereign capacity have
authorized us to prepare and issue
to the people of South Dakota an ad-
dress which shall in a few words set
forth our grievances and demands,
approach our task with an abiding
faith in the people, believing that
they will see it's reasonableness and
the necessity OF looking beyond
party lines for relief. We believe that
our nation is the sole architect OF it's
own destiny and fortune and by it's
own acts brings either veal or woe
upon itself, and that it is now sur
rounded and confronted by great
evils, which, if not removed, will
bring retributlon. Murmurings of
discomfort are heard on every hand.
Wealth producers are becoming des-
titute in a land of plenty. while the
wealth of the country has been con-
centrated into the hands of a few,
thus building up a plutocracy which
is repugnant to the very foundation
principles OF our government, and
under which the masses are suffering
beyond further endurance. Feeling
this oppression we have appealed in
the past in vain to the political par
ties who have had control of the
government for relief; therefore, we
deemed ourselves by necessity and
duty compelled to form the indepen-
dent party, which has accepted the
motto, ''In the spirit OF love and JUS
tice the people rule"
A state central committee OF one
from each county was appointed.
July 9th was decided upon as the
date and Huron the place for holding
a state convention to nominate
3tate officers and two candidates for
congress, county conventions to be
held July 5. A proposition to en-
dorse Huron for the capital was I'M
animously adopted and greeted with
prolonged cheering. Nine-tenths Of
those attending the Alliance favor
Huron for permanent capital. This
was learned by careful canvass.
North Dakota has not acted sc
promptly in the matter, but we be-
lieve she will get more into line.