The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-19
Enormous Loss of Membership
of Farmers Alliance.
THE TREASURY ALMOST EMPTY.
Ruined by Sub-Treasury Folly and
Corrupt Political Leaders.
Inc Anfi-Boodle Faction Waging War
on the Unsavory Macune and His
Partners-slim Attendance at Public
Meetings-Dissensions


apart grow the various factions. Such ap-
pears TO be the situation this morning. 1t
seems to be impossible to settle the vari-
Gus organizations down to any definite
expression or any united policy. The third
party fight is in earnest and every move is
with more or less direct reference to this
main issue. A split in the Alliance on the
sub-treasury and land loan principles
now seems inevitable.
The opening meeting of the Alliance
this morning was complete fzzle and
lasted but a few minutes.
When the executive session opened, the
trouble over the sub-treasury plan began.
A communication was received from the
executive committee of the sub-treasury
Alliance, asking hearing for the protest
prepared by Hope Yeamans, of Missouri,
under instructions from the st. Louis con-
vention last September. The Macune fac
ton opposed any hearing but Living
stone, of Georgia, moved the appoint
ment of committee of five to read the
protest and report to the Alliance whether
or not it should be read On this motion,
which was finally carried by a two-thirds'
vote, bitter fight was made by the Ma
cune men, who made the charge that the
Georgia faction had attempted to assas-
sinate Macune in Mississippi The COM
mittee will call on the members and sub
treasury committee this afternoon. These
gentlemen, it is said, will refuse to let the
protest be read except before the full Alli-
ance.
McAllister will leave for Fort Worth to-
morrow and from there will formulate for
the national meeting and sub-treasury
Alliance izat fn
be maintained all over the country before
the adjournment of the executive session.
The significant action taken shows that
the protest of the sub-treasury people will
receive very little consideration.
A resolution was adopted almost unani-
mously reaffirming the adherence of the
Alliance to every plank in the Roachdale
platform.
Macune's resolution to reduce the repre-
sentatiou one-half is likely to pass, and is
causing no end of uneasiness to the dele
gates who came here with narrow Alliance
funds. 1t has developed that the treasury
is nearly empty, and unless the represen-
tation is reduced there will not be enough
money to pay the delegates. The Alliance
has been falling off in many states, and
state Alliances have been unable TO fur
nish their quota of the assessment to the
national body.
The difficulty over representation arose
from the failure of the state secretaries
to report the falling off in membership
which has occurred in the various states,
especially in Texas and Mississippi, while
there is great opposition TO Macune and
the sub-treasury plan. This neglect was
intentional, having been ordered by the
National League on account of the detri-
mental effects that such reports would
have on the order. After the appointment
of committee to hear the protest of the
anti-sub-treasury men, the convention
adopted a resolution to stand by the sub
treasury plan.
Livingstone's committee met McAllis-
ter, Yeamans and others tonight and
listened to the reading of the protest.
After it had been read Livingstone said:
Now, when you break down our relief
plan, what do you propose to offer as a
substitute?'
Mr.. Yeamans replied that his committee
was not empowered to frame a platform,
but they would readily improve on the
measures protested against. 1t was fin
ally decided that Yeamans be allowed to
appear before the National Alliance to-
morrow night to present the protest and
elaborate thereon as he desired, with the
understanding that the members be
allowed to reply to him.
At the Reform Press Association meet
ing this morning it was decided to permit
the members who gave adherence TO the
main principles Of the alliance to advocate
or oppose whatever minor ideas they
please.
The Farmers Mutual Benefit Associa-
ton was in secret session till l O'Clock
this afternoon on routine business.
The state agents this morning adopted
the Roachhale plan. which contemplates
the establishment of Alliance stores and a
division of the profits among the patrons
This is regarded as a black eve
for the union company. That por-
ion of the executive committee of
the Peoples party now here is in
almost continuous session. Its efforts are
mostly directed towards the consolidation
of the various industrial bodies, in the
hope of getting final Endorsement of the
third party idea The f. NJ. B. A. are
having a hard time over the matter of
funds. About half the organization is de-
linquent and there is no money for dele
gates. As a consequence the Ohio dele
more threaten to leave this afternoon and
evening unless the matter is adjusted. As
no means of adjusting are presented, il
seems probable that the +. II. B. A. part
of the proceedings will soon come TO an
end.
A local paper says that at today's ses-
sion of the council some resolutions Of
fered by Delegate Branch, of Georgia. ere
ated quite a fuss. They were political in
nature, declaring that large number of
men had been elected 10 congress by
Alliance votes. and demanding that they
support no man for speaker who would
not first declare for the Alliance plat
form, and the Alliance con-
gresham should nominate one of
their own men and stick 10 him. They
further admonished Alliance men through
out the country 20 beware of committing
themselves to any party in such man
ner as 10 interfere with their free
dom in political action, or taking any
position in favor of men or parties not in
sympathy with Alliance principles When
the resolutions were introduced the direc-
tors opposed them in vehement speeches
Livingstone also opposed it, and the
resolution was finally referred to com
nlittee.
An effort to make the platform of Che
Alliance more saiicai on the subject of
government or aership of railroads ard
telegraphs also brought out warra dis