The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-04
THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE.
President Powers Has Plan for Third
Party Movements.


OMAHA, Neb. Jan. 27.-The eleventh an
nual meeting of the farmers alliance con-
vened here this morning at Q o'clock. A
resolution was adopted excluding all per-
sons not members OF the alliance from the
sessions. Delegate Fullerton of Missouri
offered the following resolution, which
was referred to the committee on resolu-
tons:
Resolved That it is the sense Of the national
alliance that the independent political action
of the past year as evidenced by the state of
Nebraska is just and proper and ought to be
encouraged.
This resolution will cause hot debate,
as there are two factions in the conven-
ton, those who believe in political action
and those vino disapprove of il.
President Powers in his address advo-
Gates a general organization of trades
unions and knights of labor with the
alliance He said no effective arrange
ments OF n national character ior
tn conduct of the business in
dustries of the country can be made and
prove of benefit without being in effect
laws of the organization which adopts
them. To prevent general and continual
conflict with the laws OF the government,
the government itself must be controlled
by those societies. For attaining this OBJ
ject President Powers proposed two plans,
Il new political party and independent
political action. The first he opposed as
not practical for industrial organizations,
as the platform on which the party might
be formed would soon become absolute.
lie then outlined plan Tor action as
follows: let tins alliance discuss and
agree upon such measures as it shall
| deem expedient TO form a basis .or
political action for this year and
next. Place this by correspond
ence before other great industrial
organizations and with their concurrence
let convention be called at some central
point for the purpose of comparing views
and finally adopting as a national plat
form a concise set of principles which can
be cordially supported bv all. Then pub
lish them to the world and let the remain
der of the year be spent in disseminating
these principles and preparing for great
struggle in 1892"
President Powers then dwelt at length
on the mon Y question and advocated
the loan of money by the government to
wOrking people without interest.
In closing, President Powers said: 1T is
no time for boys play and mock demon
| strstions. There was time when corpora
tions and monied Oligarchies were looked
upon with unruffled contempt. That con-
| dition is changed. Three million voters
cannot be drawn up in line in army with
out attracting general attention, even
though their discipline may be imperfect
and their lines Disconnected"
| OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 2S.-The farmers
| alliance convention resumed its session
this morning and began the revision OF
| The constitution. An amendment pro-
| posed making all laboring men eligible to
membership provoked heated debate,
during the course of which President
Powers said that such an amendment
would break up the organization. He
said 1--WE want to carry the next cleo
ton, and if we extend the qualifications
| bevond farmers, the cities will take ad-
vantage of their point. New York city
could send u million dollars to Omaha 20
pay initiation fees, and in q few months
| designing politicians would hire enough
| men TO Join the order so that Nebraska
would be in the hands of the ring. The
same would be true in other states. IL
would result in the capture OF the National
alliance, body and soul. This movement
started among farmers and should be kept
there" The amendment was tabled by
large vote.
This afternoon the report of the CON-
mittee on resolutions was presented and
was considered by paragraphs. The fol-
lowing were adopted:
Whereas, Owing to the oppression that has
been heaped upon us by monopolists, capital
lists, trusts and combines, we believe it is time
for action; and
Whereas, The National farmers alliance in
convention assembled does most emphatically
declare against the present system OF govern
ment as manipulated by the congress of the
TT-s,a tba haW nf Ofsla
lures of the several states therefore, we declare
in favor OF holding convention on Feb %. 1892,
to fix date and place for the holding of q con-
vention to nominate candidates for the Offices
of president and ice-presideut OF the United
States. We declare that in the convention to
be held on Feb. %, 1892. representation shall
be one delegate from each state in the Union.
Resolved That we favor the abolition of all
national banks and the surplus funds to be
loaned to individuals upon land security at q
low rate of interest.
Resolved, That VIC are unalterably in favor
OF the Australian ballot law.
Resolved, That we demand the foreclosure
of mortgages that the government holds on
railroads.
Resolved, Thatwe discountenance gambling
in stocks and shares.
Resolved, That this is an administration OF
the people and in view Of that fact the presi.
dent and vice-presidenI of tho United States
should be elected by popular vote instead Of
by an electoral college.
Resolved, That as the farmers OF the United
States largely outnumber any other class OF
citizens they demand the passage of laws OF re.
form, not as party measures, but for the good
of the government.
Resolved. That the alliance shall take no
part partsans in political struggle ss sfiili.
ating with repu blicans or democrats.
| Resolved. That the National farmers al
| lance demands that the interstate commerce
law be so amended and enforced as TO allow ell
railroads n reasonable income on the money in
vested, and We demand the mortgages on the
Union and Central Pacific railroads be fore
closed at once and the roads taken charge OF