The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-19
FARMERS In POLITICS.
Rival Hayseed 0rganiza-
tions Make Jersey Their
Battlefield.
NATIONAL POLITICAL LEAGUE
The Latest Rival of the Alliance
A Jersey Agricultural
Union.
NATIONAL POLITICAL LEAGUE.

HDtCtut 70 tnt StfafN tttN Ntt1a.
TRENTON, Jan. 10. 1s9l.-The State Of
New Jersey is to be the battle ground of
the two rival national farmers's organi-
cations The Alliance aud the National
Farmers' Political League, have begun
an even race for thorough organization
OF every township in the State, and as
both have for their object the betterment
Of the conditions Of the farmer. through
political manipulations. the contest Is
likely TO be Interesting.
The Farmers Political League has just
come into state and has put organizers at
work under the general supervision oil ex-
Senator Waiter b. Pierce, of Chenago
Forks, n Y. He will devote his energies
TO the upper part Of the State. and the
. lower part Is in charge of George w.
Kirby, OF Bridgeton. Cumberland county.
The Farmers Political League is differ
ent from the Alliance, which has now
established branches in six counties. 1t
had its origin in Massachusetts in 1889,
where the farmers made a State organi-
l ,;ation 20 secure legislation to prevent the
oloring of oleomargarine like butter.
Nhey won an easy victory and decided TO
become q permanent power for the inn
provement of the condition of farmers.
/The movement attracted attention and
led the farmers Of other States to enquire
into the method. A National League
was formed in Albany September
/, 1890. State branches were
organized In New York, Pennsylvania.
Maine and Connecticut. The league is
not 3 secret organization. 1t has no de-
sire to create q new party, but only to
compel the old line parties to keep the
pledges they make to farmers and give
them what is esential TO their welfare
Tie National League will strike at Con-
gress; the State League will hold the
whip over Legislatures. In the prospectus
aIraf
State, tney say, Equal taxation OF per-
sonal property and incomes. with real
estate, and lower salaries for all public
officials, is one cry In every state. In
tariff matters, we demand that the farm
ers' labor and products be equally consid-
cred with the skilled labor and manufact-
urers Of other industries. But internal
affairs at present directly af-
feet the farmer, especially our system OF
taxation. and transportation, and trade
aud the general tendency TO create laws
for the benefit of the few at the expense
of the many. We demand the equal
taxation OF personal property as well as
real estate; that legislation should re-
strict transportation charges to rate
that shall pay only reasonable interest
on the actual and legitimate capital. In
vested exclusive of water; that artificial
conditions under which great monopolies
are created at the unjust expense OK the
Leople should be correcteu.'
The political work is to be done at the
primaries. Candidates are to be pledged,
and only those who show a clean hand
Will be supported at the polls.
A scheme is now on foot to organize
State leagues in New Jersey and twenty
other States. The work is to begin in
South Jersey, where number OF town.
ship organizers have been appointed
General Organizer Kirby makes the fol-
lowing statement about his work:-.T
1ad my fire no in Eai
ship, Cumberland county, on Wednesday
night and had to turn great many
away. l also held meetings In all the
school districts Of a township ana lat
terly in the large cities. The first league
will be formed on Thursday night next
at Woodstown, Salem county. There is
much enthusiasm in both Salem and
Cumberland counties. Literature is be-
ing circulated in every township and then
will follow the organization of county
leagues"
There is still another national organ
ization that seeks numbers and influence
IL is the "Great American Agricultural
Union" founded by Prof. William ID. 4.
Travis. of Burlington. This Is a Simon
pure Jersey organization which origi-
mated among few farmers in Burlington
township. Its strength is not known, and
it has not yet moved out of Burlington
county. Its promoter, Prof. Travis, is
now visiting all the Farmers Clubs and
County Board meetings, and presents the
working of the new union for considera-
tion. This union seeks national reputa-
ton. It's constitution and by
laws arranges for the organization
of a national union, with national
headquarters at Burlington There are
also 10 be State, county and township
unions. They, like all others, seek to cor
rect all evils by controlling the legisla-
tive bodies of the State. The constitution
contains a good deal of spread eagle
phraseology. The fourth and fifth reso-
luton of its published preambles says
''rhat we now, with one undivided
voice, say how and by whom shall be
made the laws by which we are 10 be
ruled.
'.That we know henceforth but one
party, or purpose politically, and only
vote as one man for tine good OF all, as
agreed and decreed by the union"
The union was formed at the residence
of Prof Travis. on August %, 1890, and
twenty-five farmers were present at the
time.
Prof. Travis, when asked for the exact
number of those who are connected with
the union, said, II cannot give you the
figure exactly, but the union is growing
fast. We have following in the city of
Philadelphia and as far west as Washing
ton State. We are growing beyond my
expectations. We differ very much from
the Farmers Alliance and We are to be
union Of farmers, farm laborers and all
that class of mechanics whose interests
are SO related to the agriculturalists as 10
be dependent on them largely for sup
port. We want to exercise the balance
Of political power to secure legislation
that may be favorable to the agricultural