The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-09-03
The Situation In Arkansas.

LITTLE ROCK, August 2O.-Ihe Far
mers' Movement in this State has been
growing in volume for the past five year.
Beginning with what was and is yet
known as the Wheel, it has extended
to every County in Arkansas, appearing
in some localities as the Farmers Union
and in others as the alliance. The aim
of each organization, however, was SIM
ilar-namely, to redress the grievances
of the laboring masses. In the two last
sessions of the State Legislature were
many members elected by the Wheelers
on distinct Wheel platform which en-
bodied these grievances in detail. The
growth of the Wheel has been steady.
and the Importance of the organization
as an industrial and political factor is
beginning to be felt. The effort to in
duce the members to contest for supre-
macy in State politics has so far been
unsuccessful. but unless there isa change
pretty soon it is generally conceded that
the chance Of the farmers capturing the
State officers is no remote contingency.
an important meeting was held at
this place July q. The object of the
gathering was to effect a consolidation
of the Farmers Alliance and Laborers'
Union. Representative members Of the
two bodies were in attendance and the
session continued two or three days. The
propriety of u union of the two organi-
cations, with a view of promoting and
strengthing the interests of the laboring
masses, was discussed at length, and the
result was that a consolidation was eff
fected under the title of the Farmers
Alliance and Industrial Union of Arkan-
sas. The result of the consolidation will
shortly be seen in State politics, and pol
iticians are not slow to say that the out
look for continuation of the present
order of things. so far as concerns the
management of the State affairs, is not
altogether encouraging.
Since the Convention adjournded the
farmers movement has shown signs OF
unusual activity. \ thorough and sys-
tematic organization is in progress all
over the State. including every County
embraced in the five Congressional dis
tricts. The alliance mas State and dis
trict organizers, and these are hard at
work. In addition to these there are
regular officers. These officers are gen
orally well known farmers and planters
and have been selected from all parts Of
the State, evidently with aview of Civ
ing each section representation. The
strength of the combination effected on
July 24th, together with that of the
Wheel, is roughly estimated at $4,000.
While these figures may underestimate
or oyerrate the actual voting power of
the Arkansas farmers combination, they
at least illustrate the growth of the
movement and show but too clearly the
factor in politics it would prove should
it turn in that direction.
Already in many Counties candidates
are running for the Legislature on the
farmers or alliance platform, and at
this time it looks as if the incoming
Legislature would be composed of quite
number of members who owe allegi-
ance to that principle rather than to
either the Democratic or Republican
parties. Two years ago the Democratic
candidate for Governor poled 1929
votes and the union labor candidate:
who was supported by the Republicans,
S4,223 votes. Allowing the alliance the
number of votes claimed by some of its
members, viz: $4,000; it may be readily
perceived that the advent of the alliance
itself into the political arena of the State
would cause a revolution of no mean
proportions.
TIE Barnwell People says: "The