Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-01-23
THE FARMERS LEAGUE,
MEETING OF THE ORGANIZATION AT
ST. ALBhNS FRIDAY.
How to Better the Condition of the Fnr-
mers-Some of the Principles of the
League as Expressed in the Platform
Adopted.


Farmers alliance was held at opera hall
here to-day It was called to order at 10
O'Clock by President T.. 7. Cotton Of Iras-
burgh He said the gathering had no po-
litical significance nul he denied that tho
Farmers league was u third party. Speak
ing Of the objects for which the league eX-
lsted, he said there was need of equalization
in taxation. Uncertainty as to the future
brought about the formation of the league
The speaker drow picture of the untOrtu-
nate condition Of Vermont farmers, and
said it was time they did something to bet
ter their condition There is too much
money going West to be invested in wildcat
schemes. Loan associations doing business
in the state ought TO be heavily taxed.
He denied that the farmer was
deficient in brain power. The con
dition of agriculture is such that unless
a change comes soon 1t will be ruined and
then other pursuits will follow. There are
a few men in this country, each OF whom
is worth more than all the farmers in Yer
mont and yot they do not pay their proper
ton in taxes. Careless legislation is re
sponsble for this unequal distribution of
wealth. All millonares ought to ba made
to pay an income tax. State taxes have
steadily increased and If tho expenditures
continue to pile up and at the present rate
tho State will be insolvent He recountod
some Of the appropriations Of the last Legis-
lature Boards of agriculture and other or
EauZatiOns have been established but still
our boys have left Us. We demand lower
salaries, fewer fees and more stability IN
our laws. The biennial tinkering of the
.chool law has done much to njure the
state But few people ever read the school
law Of 1883. We demand the election of
men pledged to retrenchment. We haze
seen enough of ofce-seekng men III this
State and it is time the office sought the
man. The future action of the league will
depend on the old parties, if they try to
| kick us out they will hear from us "a a
party. We have nothing to say about the
| present Legis lature-the press has sized up
that body. 1t is time something was done.
| Look at the auditors reports for the past
six years and see where your money has
gone Elect only men pledged TO reform
and remeinl or that eternal vigilance is the
price OF liberty.
Prof Charles Dole OF Northticd, said that
| farmers were in trouble but not more 50 in
! Vermont than elsewhere. /. Is inp'-s.ple
| in the nature of tniugs t-r any farmer -
/ become immensely rich. Relerr,ng to the
school law lrof Dole said t.at p
great majority Of tue people OF the
! state never knew What tLeic school
/ law is. A majority of the Legislature for
wears ha, been composed of farmer. but
J th. troub,p has been in not taking care
enough to send an educated and mtcll,anv
/ taru,or "a, "A reure,entative. FurtL.rlnor.
4 .c,u.iI,ion, OF thlu,s have been constant
| ia CHANGING and we have adapted ourspiv,
T f.rD.-. c,.ugcs. & +. Clou-h %, Na,a"-
/ t,,.y ..,,.. ua haI b,an for ..er, tr,iu. TO
Ijua a4l .uhv the c-ricu..Gral industry Of
/ ii,. ..,.,,-r WA, i'm .ucn Ii d.pres-.d cyrl,-
/ ,i,u Uut n. h1I rot .lcc.eIcI There VA,
/ som. reason vbv Til, was SO and yuy every
/ ot,,., irI;-try of fin, country uail iron! :
to ..uil..- cent. lie c.n, to the meetings
oC+.. .,,o... .o ,iud ont Whnt the troul!,
v,n. Ian. .,.. bud NOT done. So In the ,peak-
.. ,,.,..,,. fine ,rnui.I, lies in the foct tsa.
the iarir,r'- markets. have been destroyed
AMI ha cannot gcl what his produce Is
worth. MIR. tIougn gaYc a graphic ac-
count a.. tine WY the Boston COM
. ,ni.,,o, merchants kent down rLe Price
I ua!,l TO luiter maLer-. supporting the a,,cr-
/ lion made ye-lcr.a, %, Gov. smith .huc
fi,, md lonlen 70. ~. tne profit. Tho
/ league. Iq worl;n. IN harmony. can crush