The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-19
VIRGINIA'S ALLIANCE.
OPENING OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL
SESSION AT RICHMOND.

OFg8niZHCiOn OF OuenB6 Against
Combines and Trusts-It Is Not Po-
litical Party-A Railroad Commission
Wented-Legislation Controlled by
Corporations - Settlement of State
Debts.
RICHMOND, VA. Aug. 1S-The fourth
annual session Of the farmers alliance met
here to-day at noon, and was called TO order
by President Mann Page of Prince George
county, after which the doors were closed.
There were ninety odd delegates present.
President Page delivered his annual ad-
dress, in which he SAYS:
"While we are stanch advocates Of indi-
vidual liberty, we have been forced to band
ourselves together as an organization OF
offense against the combines and trusts
which, under the sanction of law, have
sprung up in the last twenty-five years,
torcibly absorbing individual enterprises
and depriving the producing classes of
market for the sale of their produce except
at prices below the cost Of production.
We are told, when we complain of prices
being under the cost of production that the
cause is over-production. Yet ex-senator
Ingalls,, who, by the Christening hand Of the
Kansas alliance, now poses asa statesman
without job, and who for many years as
sisted in the enactment of laws which now
oppress us, SAYS that from 1860 to 1890
wealth has been accommodating TO the
amount of S100, 900, 100000 Yet there are
100000 people who never have enough
to eat from one years end TO the other. |
pause to ask why it is that with this accu-
mutation of billions of wealth,
and with an increase OF SO ,0O0,
600 people, there should now be
$500, 100000 less money in circulation.
The chief cause, in my opinion, Is at
rributable to the act passed by congress,
establishing the national banks, for
through the influence of these
banks the act demonetizing silver was
so adroitly passed that the senator's and rep
resentatives have since declared that they
we're ignorant of the provisions of this act,
and President Grant was not aware of it
when he signed the bill.n
CHASE AND LINCOLN QUOTED.
He then cited Chief Justice Chase in hav-
ing acknowledged, when Secretary of the
Treasury, that he made a mistake in ad-
vocatinR the national banking law, and
President Lincoln as foreshadowing evils
that are alleged to confront the farmers to-
day. He next alluded to the sub-treasury
plan submitted at st. Louis, which received
no consideration by the last congress, but
at the instigation of Wall street has called
forth storm of abuse, ridicule and mis-
representation.
'If the incoming congress will not grant
financial relief let US see that their places be
filed in 1892, by those who will enact laws
for the protection of the agricultural pro-
ducer and laborer. l again appeal to you
to
STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
in sustaining the demands Of the supreme
council as adopted at Ocala. If we are to
win this fight for our rights as free and
equal citizens, it must be accomplished by
closer ranks, and determination that, with
the held of God, we will do and endure
until we can again make this government
of the people, by the people and for the peo-
pie. To the question now asked, with seem
ing anxiety, by the politicians and the press,
as to what party the farmers alliance be-
longs, l answer,
WE ARE NOT A POLITICAL PARTY.
1--WE have platform of principles to
which we invite the aid and cooperation of
all, and the time has arrived when our in
terest demands that we should do our best
to induce the political parties of which we
are members to assist u.s. yet we ought not to
subordinate the obligations we have assumed
to the dictates of those who prefer party
to principle. now invite your attention
to the elections soon to be held in this state
for members Of the legislature. To leave
the selection of candidates to our party
bosses and wire-pullers will prove unsafe.
RAILROAD COMMISSION WANTED.
"We should attend the local meetings of
OF our parties and see that the delegates to
nominating conventions are instructed to
require of the candidates pledges to aid and
assist in creating a railroad COM
mission to act in conjunction with
the interstate commerce commission, and
clothed with the full power Of the state to
protect her citizens from unj just discrimina-
tions in freight and passenger rates on the
part of the railroads and other lines of trans
portation, including the steamboat lines Of
our rivers and bays.
LEGISLATION CONTROLLED BY CORPORA
TIoNs.
The railroad corporations have for years
controlled legislation until the acts passed
through the influence of their representa-
tives have robbed the state of millions
of stock, thereby depriviug her
of directors ef railroad companies chartered
by her with the result that the offices of
these roads are removed beyond the con-
fines of the state, thus depriving her Of
thousands OF dollars which would otherwise
be expended among our people.
SETTLEMENT OF THE STATE DEBT.
81 would recommend that an inquiry be
made into the report that at the late meet
ing between the Representatives Of the state
and of the foreign bondholders, there was
only difference Of sos, 900, preventing a
final settlement of the state debt, for If it
can be shown that finances of this state
will justify sthe acceptanceof this differ
ence without increasing the taxa
ton or interfering with the appropria-
tions necessary to administer our state gov
ernment, and provide for our asylums,
schools and colleges, l believe we would be
benefited by the establishment of her credit,
and the state would be saved thousands of
dollars annually now expended in the pay
ment Of attorneys fees and costs in defend
ing the coupon suits"
He suggested that the state secretary be
located in Richmond, referred to the ex-
pense of the present lecture system, compli-
mented the alliance press and closed with an
admonition for the alliance to stand to-
getner.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
At the conclusion of the presidents ad-
dress, which was heartily applauded. the
various committees were appointed.
Col. Polk was present ard delivered
brief address, after which the convention
adjourned until tomorrow.
Tonight public alliance meeting was
held at Mozart Academy, which was Ad-
dressed by Col. Polk, president of the
National Farmers Alliance. The meeting,
though small in numbers, was most enthu-
siastic.
COL. POLK WELCOMED TO RICHMOND.
Maj. Mann Page presented and intro
duced Mayor J. Taylor Ellyson, who grace
fully welcomed President Polk TO the city.
Mai Page then presented President Polk ,
90 fba audfonCa a. iona Of tha most "a bYfoad