Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-10-29
THE SALINA CONVENTION.
Largest Gathering of Farmers ever
Witnessed.

Largest Gathering of Farmers ever
Witnessed.
The Farmers Alliance convention,
held at Salina on the 22d, was one of
the largest gatherings of farmers ever
witnessed in the state of Kansas, and
in numbers and demonstration far ex-
ceeded the most sanguine expects-
tons It is claimed that at ten o'clock
in the morning there were ten thous-
and people present. The parade was
one of the greatest of its kind ever
held in the state, and showed that the
farmers are more enthusiastic this fall
than ever. Every road leading to
the city was filed with wagons and
buggies. Banners of all descriptions
were carried in the parade. In one
of the wagons was an old woman knit
ting, and on a banner was inscribed
these words: Jerry shall have socks
this winter"
The convention was called to order
by President McGrath who then de-
lIvered his annual address. He urg-
ed the speedy adoption of both local
and general cooperative system,
which must be inaugurated through
the county Alliances. The farmer, he
said, must stand by and support the
men who are in charge of their bust
ness affairs, and not allow jealousies
and political differences to stand in
the way of their business success. A
large part of his address was devoted
to the educational work. He review
ed the work done by the lecture bu-
reau during the past year and said
that, while it had been satisfactory, the
future welfare of the organization de-
manded ITS control and support by
the Alliance executive council In
showing the work accomplished, Presi-
deat McGrath stated that there had
been added during the year 249 Sub
Alliances. The Secretary's report
was then listened to and accepted.
Many prominent Alliance men were
present and addressed the convention.
The sub-treasury plan and all other
subjects pertaining to the welfare of
the farmers were thoroughly discuss
ed.
No regular platform was adopted,
but the sub-treasury scheme and st.
Louis and Ocala demands were en-
dorsed and the official acts of Presi-
dent Polk were heartily approved.
W. II. Biddle was then elected
President, and Mrs. Vickery, Vice
President; ]. B. French was re-elect-
ed Secretary without opposition, and
S. NJ. Scott was chosen State Lectur-
er.
President Biddle is As years of age,
was a soldier in the Union army, and
is now a stock raiser in Butler county.
The convention was one of the most
harmonious and enthusiastic ever
held and establishes the fact, beyond
a doubt, that the Farmers Alliance
as an organization has come to stay.
One of the most cowardly and con-
temptible tricks ever perpetrated up
on a secret organization was brought
to light and the culpert captured in
the act of trying to discover the Sc
cret works of the Alliance. Shortly
after the convention was called to or
der it was learned that a reporter had
gained admission to the hall and was
in the garnet. A committee was at
once appointed to explore the garnet,
and discover the whereabouts
60 Lux and gloomy place
lending the entire length of the
opera house. The committee, with
the assistance OF light, managed to
walk along the joists, aud there, in the
northwest corner of the garnet, they
found H. J. Allen of the SalIna Re.
publican. He was Immediately
brought down and placed upon the
| platform before that large assembly
that everyone might look upon the
man that had allowed himself tC
get down to such contemplate and
dirty work. He was turned over to {
committee which finally decided IL
let him go without punishment.