Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-19
STATE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
Views of Pr ointment Democrat and Men''
Der of the Farmers Alliance.


Der of the Farmers Alliance.
To he Editor Of The Dispdtch:
The newspapers inform us that the con-
ference named above was most harmonious
and satisfactory. This is Just as 1t shouid
be. While extremists, fanatics, or cranKs
NAV be able by their morbid imaginings 10
detect grounds for clashings and bicker-
ings between the Alliance and non-Alil-
ance wings of the Democratic party OF VIZ
cinia. vet the conservative, practlcai
thinkers and workers of our State can see
no cnsus bell inherent in the teachings OF
actions of the Farmers Alliance OF virginia
to cause either anxiety or suspicion. Ine
Lynchburg platform was eminentiy, con-
seryatiye aud Democratic. Under Alilancc
teaching and organization we nave chrricu
every congressional district and there Is
not a whisper or administration contrary
To the belief that our faithful John W.
Daniel will be unanimously returheu as
United States Senator. Where. theh' Is
the ground for suspicion and anxiety TOT
the Democratic party OF Virginia! ~
comes from far away Kansas.
Those nlortgaged-cursed farmers nave IN
their desperation destroyed the Bastiie OF
Republicanism. and in the intoxication Oh
success think they have right 10 assume
a. Good Alliance doctrine the demolltiOh
of dominant parties in all States where
the Alliance is sufficiently powerful to Ell
feet it. They argue thus-qtnd: we A.
lance men of Kansas have destroyed inc
Republican party IN our State-ergo. you
Alliance men of Virginia should destroy
the Democratic party OF Virginia. oucl
reasoning is based on false promises anu
consequently the conclusion Is unreasona-
bic and unsound. The logical sequ'T IS
this-viz.: You men of Kansas achieved
success by conforming your STACEY atu
tactics to your environments. OF WHICH
your State leaders wero the holders ana
directors therefore, we Alliance men OF
Virginia claim and shall certainly take the
right 10 manage our State Alliance IN our
own way and IN view of our surroundings;
The Republican party of Kansas had
been weighed in the balance ana IL
fell imlneasurably below the standard OF
right and Justice. Tue Democratic party
of Virginia is on trial. When we examine
such witnesses as Senator Daniel. mayor
] TAYLOR Ellyson, Speaker X. ii. Card
we'll. Colonel A. s. Buford, and Hon. J.. T..
Meredith and their testimony taken sepa-
rate and apart unanimously retutes the
idea of any hostility toward the Alliance
on the part of the Democratic party OF
Virginia. but on tie contrary o hearty
God-speed i'll most of its demands. then 1t
would be as impolitic as UNJUST tor the
Alliance to antagonize the Democratic
party in advance of any overt act OF nos
tllity. Brethren of the Alliance, we are
the Democratic party OF Virginia: ~ Is
conceded that we will have the controlling
influence. We have gained our strength.
We have filed our 1903 sub-alllances with
$4,000 members only by virtue of the mode,
ration of our demands a. formulateI
IN the Lynchburg platform ana
our conservative action. III we aDah-
don our hitherto conservative course
and contend for extreme measures our
membership viii rapidly be depleted by
the departure and disgust of the wise and
practical. Let our delegates to the August
convention determine to coniine their
actions TO the " In m edids res" idea. The
currency question viii not, of course, have
place in our campaign his fall. The trans
portation question, SO tar as lntrastate
commerce is involved, will be the yexed
question and the one requiring the greatest
prudence in managing. We do not include
the debt question. because our people are
practically an unit in II determination 10
stand by the oft-declared fnality. The
railroad bill is our danger-point. Now cor
porations have a rough as we'll as smoth
side. They are managed by the shrewdest
minds and defended by the ablest talent.
They have. too, in abundance that factor
so potent i'll modern politics-viz., money.
Let us look these facts squarely IN
the face and conform our tactics thereto.
As their are other interests vital to our
prosperity let us not jeopardize the PR
sonnet of our Legislature by stalking our
all on a cast-iron railroad bill. In PLAIN
English let us secure our men and trust 10
them to secure our measures. ms Is
seemingly reversing matters, but IN tins
canvass II is sound tactics to 90 IN " left IN
'front.'" If we formulate at our August
convention bill repugpant TO the ran
roads they will concentrate all their ct-
forts to defeat all who endorse 1t. Ihey
will show the power OF money 10 &C.
feat. The railroads cannot afford to let
this question stand as an a2gravating. les
tering factor with the popular branch
of Assembly against them; nor can
the farmers afford to precipitate
extreme measures while the Virginia House
OF Lords is against them. In view OF these
indisputable facts 1t is certainly SOUND
policy to concentrate our energies ana
efforts upon electIng men loyal to our IN
terests. and leave the railroad question 10
them TO deal with, and not hazard their
election or fetter them if elected by rail-
road bill formulated by the August con-
VtntlOu. iut Niibti, VIM 10 oAi
man Indus ct in c1ae.' has good reasons for
believing that with proper. management
and conservatism bill can be formulated
lust and equal to all, satisfactory to the
farmers. and one that will not be fought
by the railroads. They would rather fra
ternize than fight. This frame is our op'
portunity. They know our strength, and,
like Davy Crockett's squirrel, are willing
to come down." Let US not test
theirs except as dernier resort. Now
that everything is lovely in Virginia poll
tically will not the newspapers hostile te
the Alliance call off their dogs OF war
They injure the Democratic party more
than they injure the Alliance. They weaken
the influence of the conservative leaders
and furnish weapons and ammunition otht
extremists. The policy recommended By
Congressman Oates, of Alabama. if prac
ticed IN Virginia would rend the Demo
cratic party from "turret to foundation
stone. No; instead let US follow faith
hope, and charity" and remember that
1.-THE greatest of these is charity"
RUsTIcUs.