Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-29
A GREAT SCHEME.
The Kansas State Alliance Joins
the Co-Operatives.
HOW A SLATE WAS SMASHED.
McGrath Pulls the String, but Jack Doesn't
Jump-Capt BiddelI Elected Presi-
dent-Insurance Feature Adopted
by the Convention.

SAIINA, KAN, Oct. 23.-Tt has been set
tied that the Kansas Farmers Alliance
will become A part of the National
union company of New York. capital
stock $50 900, 600 organized for the purpose
of monopolizing everything in sight.
For SIX hours yesterday afternoon and
again this morning the gigantic cooperative
scheme was before the convention. The
committee appointed to investigate and re-
port upon the scheme reported
unfavorably The report was
not accepted by the convention.
G. w. Sandusky, secretary of the Alliance
exchange company, which does s5,000,00O
worth of business a year in this state, says
that it will be an easy thing
the new organization. In addition to this
the Alliance is in position to control
absolutely the grain business of the state
Mr. Sandusky will be made general mana
ger of all cooperative stores in the state.
Kansas City will be made the distributing
point. and all goods will be purchased from
manufacturers.
In every county where the Alliance will
pledge their support manager will be APP
pointed and goods supplied for stores for
a share in the profits. The National
union company is the outgrowth OF
the Ocala convention. The scheme was
sprung then and approved by President
IOih. luItc ulOulllS 4dGCl AliCtb
ing Of capitalists was held and
company formed and $1,000,
600 of the capital stock was subscribed. 1t
is probable that the work of appointing
agents will begin Immediately, and the first
stores will be established the LIST of next
January.
The National union co operative scheme
was adopted at this mornings session by an
overwhelming vote. The insurance features
were then taken up and this, too, was de-
cided upon All of the branches of
insurance will be confirmed and an insur-
ance commission will be elected by the eX-
ecutive council. Everything was fixed in
caucus before the convention proceeded to
the election of officers. The various candi-
dates and leaders met at noon to arrange
the slate.
President McGrath stated that he desired
an Endorsement of his official acts as an ac-
quittal of the various charges of
corruption which had been made at the
time of the Kansas senatorial contest which
arose out of a letter received by him and
alleged to have been written by Congress
man Turner proposing the latter's election
to succeed Mr.. ingalls,. He gave the caucus
to understand that he had enough delegates
in the convention to both force the indorse-
ment and vindication. and to secure his re-
election. He did not wish, however, to be
the cause of discord in the party,
and he would withdraw in favor
of W. H. Uttley, state lecturer.
The other candidates agreed to this COM
promise. When the caucus adjourned and
went into the convention it was supposed
that all the convention would have TO do
would be to cast its vote for the slate.
The programme miscarried, however, as far
as the election of president was concerned.
Some member who had not been admitted
to the caucus proposed that
no nominating speeches be made
motion prevailed and it was found that
Uttley. w. Fl. Biddle and p. B. MaXon
led, while seven others received a few
votes. Each candidate was required to
address the convention and to swear to
SUPPORT the conventions platform and CO.
operative scheme. Voting was then re-
and after several ballots
the contest narrowed down to Bid
die, Uttley and Maxon, and then McGrath
gave the word in Uttley's favor, but the
Maxon men did not understand and enough
of them cast their votes for Biddle to elect
him and to defeat Uttley. The result
was great surprise, particularly
to McGrath who could not see in it any in
dorsement or vindication. DR.. McLallin of
Topeka, however, smoothed things
over by proposing resolution
unqualified confidence in the
retiring president. The resolution was
adopted.
President Biddie is forty-five years of
age, and was captain in the Union army.
He is practically unknown in politics of the
state. Mrs. Fannie X. Vichery was chosen
10 succeed herself as vice president, and j.
B. French was elected secretary