The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-07-03

~ really u popular government, LOunQeu
'on the consent of the governed and
whose powers are vested in and derived
| from the people, or whether it is party
| government whose powers are vested in
and derived from arrogant and unfaith-
full party leaders.
"If asked what is the greatest and
most essential need of our order as con-
tributing most to its ultimate and tri-
umphant success, should unhesitatingly
answer in one word-education. Hence
| urgently commend to your most favor
able consideration the Importance of pro-
viding at once plan by which compe-
tent lecturers can be actively employed
and maintained in the field. Never, per-
| haps, in the history of this order has
there been or will there be period
| when the demand for this indispensable
service will be so great as now, and never
can the expenditure of the money, if
wisely directed be SO effectual and SO
| profitable to our order.
sit is the fixed purpose of this organi-
cation to secure, if possible, certain
needed legislative reforms. However
urgent and emphatic may be our de-
mands, experience teaches us that they
are of no avail unless supported and en-
forced by such practical methods as will
convince the law making power of de-
termination and ability to prosecute
| them to successful issue. Let this SUI
preme council, representing all parts of
the country, and that great interest that
pays over 80 per cent. Of all the taxes
of the country, assert and maintain its
dignity and its solemn purpose to pro-
| tect and advance the interest of it's con-
stituency by declaring their legislative
needs, and by showing to the American
| congress that when it's demands on pa
per are ignored it can and will vindi-
cate and maintain its claims at the bal
| lot box.
"Ourrecent experience with that body,
as well as with the leaders of the two
great political parties of the country,
should admonish us that the time has
arrived when this great organization
should take bold and determined action.
To this end | respectfully recommend
that this council authorize the organiza-
tion of a body to be known as the ma
tional legislative council of the Ma
| tional Farmers Alliance and Industrial
union, to whom shall be committed the
charge of such legislative reforms as
may be indicated by your body. Iwould
respectfully suggest that the legislative
| council be composed of your national
| president, who shall be ex-officio chair
man, and the presidents of all the states
<lo :, >,,,,,,,<,,1 ,,,J
that this body shall hold its annual meet
| ing within sixty days after the adjourn
| ment of the supreme council at such
time and place as may be indicated by
the national president, and that it be
empowered and authorized to appoint
such legislative committees as in its
| judgment may seem wise, and that it be
required to transmit to each of the states
in printed form through the national
secretary for distribution to the reform
press, the lecturers and membership of
the order all measures or bills, together
with the arguments in their favor, as
| they may decide should be enacted into
| laws"
Before the convention had been many
hours in session there arose serious
| trouble which threatened the direst con-
sequences. For some time there had
been lack of harmony between certain of
the executive officers of the order at
| Washington. This trouble had been ag-
gravated by the publication in west
ern newspapers of serious imputations
| against the Alliance managers of the
Georgia senatorial canvass. Instead of
healing, the rupture was rapidly becom-
| ing more pronounced. Unseen infiu-
ences were hourly making the matter
worse, and soon the air was full of ru-
mors and suspicious. Fortunately, the
evil was dealt with in honest and vigor-
GUS fashion.
The gentlemen whose names had been
used-President Polk. Chairman Mac
une, of the executive committee, and
Colonel l.. F. Livingston. congressman
elect from Georgia-demanded an inves-
| tigation, and committee of thirty-fve,
one from each state, spent three days in
making an exhaustive inquiry. The
facts discovered by this committee first
| suggested to any of the. delegates that
outside influences were being systemat-
| ically employed to breed dissension in
| the Alliance, with view to breaking its
strength as new force in politics. The
details of the misunderstanding and the
source of the mischief making are of lit
| tie consequence, inasmuch as it was
proven that there existed no foundation
for any scandal, and that the reasons for
lack of harmony among the executive
officers were more imaginary than real.
When it became apparent that both Re
publicans and Democrats were striving
to foment trouble in the Alliance camp
the discovery was itself sufficient to
bring about full reconciliation. The
discovery also helped to put the dele
gates on their guard against other out
side political influences.
fro BE coNTISUEDl