Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-16
A POLITICAL PERIL.
The Coming Convention at Gallon of
The Farmers Alliance.
rs PROBABLE EFFECT In OHIO.
4 Braddoc6 Mill to Manufacture Armor
Plates for War Ships.
IMPORTANT LIFE INSURANCE SUIT

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.i
CLEVELAND, Jan. 15-Considerable in
terest is being manifested in political circles
IN Ohio, as well as among the farmers them
selves, regarding the probable action of the
Farmers Alliance at Its State Convention,
10 be held at Gallon next Tuesday. This
arises from the circumstances under which
the convention will meet, as well as from the
past action of the farmers OF the State. One
year ago the Alliance declared, in a mild
sort of wav, in favor of protective tariff,
and unhesitatingly followed the example OF
Judge Lawrence and other Ohio wool grow
ers in demanding a higher tariff on wool.
At that time the I&llisnce was in its infancy
in the State, and had, all told, less than
5000 members, go that comparatively
small majority could swing the body either
way. During the year the country has ex-
perienced the Mckinley bill and political
revolution of unheard-of magnitude. The
farmers have studied the tariff, and had it
talked at them as never before, and it will be
interesting to notice how lar all this has al
fected the attitude of the Alliance in Ohio.
The Political Effect of the Decision.
The decisions of the Alliance are likely to
have very marked influence on party action
During the u months the order has had an un-
precedented growth There are now over 66O
sub-Alliances in the State, and the total men,
bership is not far short of 10000 An increase
of over 500 per cent in membership in one year
shows an awakening among the agriculturists
that is very significant. These men hold much
more than the balance of power in the State.
and neither party is in a position where it can
afford to antagonize them.
II. for example, these delegates representing
the farmers of Ohio. should declare against the
Mckinley bill and Its high protection. it would
go farther toward squelching the great boom
which the Republican papers Of the State have
been giving Mckinley for Governor next fall
than any other one influence could.
1t is significant that Joshua Crawford. the
Secretary of the State Alliance, has recently
said: I'VE are not ready for separate political
action, and will not be until eco QUO farmers are
ready 70 say they will vote and WORK in union,"
2ud he adds: "At the rate We are now growing
that time may not be far away"
Political Action Highly Probable.
This represents the feeling of the conserva-
tive wing of the order in the State, and makes
1t clear that even if the conservatives continue
in control which is not certain, the order may
be expected to begin active participation in
politics not later than 1892, for at the present
rate of growth it will number 200 00U IN Ohio be-
fore the next Presidential election.
The workingmen of the State have also ar
ranged to hold State convention in Gallon on
The same DAYS as the Farmers Alliance conyen-
TlOn. 1t is understood an attempt will be made
To unite the conventions so far as public affairs
60 and secure the adoption of a harmonious
course of political action. 1t is also stated that
the Farmers Alliance people and attempt to
form union with them.