The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-24
A PRODUCERS UNION.
Farmers and Workmen Form 4
State Federation.
DECLARATION or PRINCIPLES.
Delegate Cushing on the Oakesdals Fed
eration-tsovernor Lssghtsn
Denounced.

~ r. SucutuE, OSleG8Se Oh the W eStcEu
Central Labor Union to the convention Of
the Industrial Federation Of Washington,
which met at 0akesdale on the 10th inst,
returned yesterday, and in an interview
with Pcsr-ISTELLI0ExcER reporter ex-
pressed himself ~ delighted with the
work OF the convention. This is the first
convention Of the representatives of the
Farmers Alliance and labor organisations
ever held In the state, and Mr.. Cushing
said he was astonished at the enthusiasm
OF the farmers in this meeting.
Before the meeting" said Mr.. Cushings
meant the organization of third political
party in the state, but such il not the case.
The object Of the convention was fully set
forth by the adoption Of the following rec
concentrations of the committee on organ
ixation.
Fint-The closer union Of the different indus
trial associations already in existence for the
purpose Of aiding and assisting In the organisa-
ton ana protection Of all producers.
second-To carry into effect the principles Of
such organizations, also the establishment Of
produce exchanges, warehouses. -four mills and
other cooperative enterprises
Thfrd--TO more closely guard the legislative
interests Of al producers. and to advance the
interest and welfare Of all organised producers
In every way possible.
There was but one kicker in the whole
number in attendance, which was about
thirty, and that was G.. ID. Sutton, presi-
dent of the alliance He made speech
warning the convention that he was going
to perfect such an organization of the
Democratic party as would wipe the Re-
publican party, the sProhis' and the Farm
and Labor party from the face of the earth
in the next campaign. We thought that
the time and wind he was spending talk
ing to us was needed in the job he proposed
undertaking, so we threw him out that he
might make an early start. After that we
got along very tremendously. Several
leading alliance men addressed the meet
ing and gave great encouragement to the
labor organizations in the cities.
"a few bylaws were adopted for the gov
eminent Of the federation. They provided
the basis of representation, and for officers
to manage the affairs of the organization
and specified their duties. Beyond this
no regulations were adopted, so the sim
plest form Of organization possible was
provided
1.-The following platform of demands at
the hands Of congress and the state legis-
lature was adopted:
First-We demand the abolition OF national
banks az banks of issue, and a. . substitute for
national bank notes we demand that legal ten
der treasury notes be issued In sufficient vol
ume to transact the business OF the country
without damage or special advantage to any
class or calling, such notes 70 be legal tender in
payment of all debts, public and private, and
such notes when demanded by the people shall
be loaned to them at not more than Per cent.
per annum upon non perishable products a. In
ali
real estate with proper limitation upon the
quantity of land and amount of money.
6econd-We demand free and unlimited
coinage OF silver.
Third-We demand the passage of laws pro-
hibiting the alien ownership of land, and
plan to obtain all land now owned by aliens and
foreign syndicates, and that all lands held by
railroads and other corporations in excess Of
such as 10 actually used and needed by them be
reclaimed by the government and held for &C.
tual settlers only.
Notwithstanding In the doctrine of equal
rights to all and special privileges to none, We
demand that taxation-nationai, state and mu
nicipal-shall not be used to build up one inter-
est or class at the expense of another.
Fifth-we demand that all revenues-national,
state and municipal-shall be limited to the
necessary expenses of the government, econd2-
ically and honestly administered
sixth-We demand a just and equitable sys-
tenn OF graduated tax on incomes
Seventh-We demand the most rigid honesty
and just state and national control and super
vision OF the means of public communication
and transportation, and if this control and
supervision does not remove the abuses now in
existence, we demand the government owner
ship OF such means OF communication and
transportation
Eight--we demand that the congress of the
United States submit an amendment to the con-
stitution providing for the election OF the
United States senators by the direct vote of the
people of each state; also the president and
vice president by popular VOTE
Ninth--We demand that the state legislature
establish railroad commission and establish
reasonable freight ard passenger rates for all
transportation. We pledge our support only to
such men aud parties as support the above de-
! mands.
Tenth-Each organization shall stand pledged
to assist. when possible, in all local efforts to
better the condition of our people.
]. W. Arrasmith. of Colfax. q member of
the Alliance, was elected president, w. L.
Starr, another Alliance man, vice presi-
dent. and Mr.. Cushing was elected secre-
tary-treasurer.
The president appointed a committee of
three 20 draft constitution and report at
the next meeting. which is to be held at
Ellcnsburg the second Monday in Decem-
Der, 1891.
Another committee was appointed to
take steps to establish cooperative z rain
war ehouses.
A resolution was adopted severely con-
demning Acting-tiovernor Laughton for
vetoing measures in the interest Of work
ingmen and producers.
GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY.