The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-17

Dear SIR respectfully represent that
since the action OF the convention referring
my credentials T. a special committee. ]
bayo become advised that the SAID commit
tee have reported upon my identity. and /
therefore ask immediate action upon said
report and that / be admitted at once 10 q
seat IN your body as a delegate TO the same
from the county of Clarke. ( am duly APP
pointed and accredited and as such insist
uuOu the right tO represent my constituency
10 your deliberations without delay
Very respectfully.
$. 5. Thomas.
When the convention took recess for
lunch az o'clock Mr. Thomas had not yet
received arepiy and he then handed Major
Page the following.
Hon. Mann Page, President Farmers Ali
ance of Virginia
Dear Sir have addressed you a polite
communication touching my rights of men,
bershlp 60 the Farmers Alliance conven-
ton now ia session. and 20 which eXh bited
nay credentials from the county OF Clarke.
J again appeal TO YOU and through you u
the convention itself 20 admit me 70 the
body OF your convention that / may partici-
pate IA your deliberations and represent the
rights OF my people. ! hear questions OF
importance are being discussed, IN the con-
siderati0n of which 1 claim TO have a right
70 participate. because my people are di-
rectly interested in the same
II YOU and your body have determined 20
exclude me from participating Ia your meet
ing, hope you Will be kind and courteous
enough 20 notify me of your decision. In
the name OF my people and in the name Of
the whole people OF Virginia l ask and Ia
sist on q proper consideration and settle
nent of my rights to a seat in your body.
Very respectfully yours.
$. 5. THOMAS.
Mr. Thomas was informed 10y the pres,d-
n nfffoar W nile fha convention had
nothing against him Individually and was
fully convinced that he was duly appointed
delegate. they were compelled to adhere TO
the constitution. which prescribed that tho
different counties should send IA q report IN
writing stating the appointment OF their
delegate, and Clarke county haying.tailed to
do so the convention was unable 70 recog-
nize him as delegate.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
President Page in his annual address al
luded 20 the many conflicting views on the
political and financial issues of the day and
admonished his hearers TO lay aside all per-
sOnal feelings aud differences and TO devote
their energies 70 the building up sound
business system. He mentioned the draw
backs which the want of means and the
proper understanding Of the ROchdale plan;
80 recently adopted. had entailed upon the
Alliance and added shat the business system
had NOT been attended with the expected
trict exchanges had been instituted and he
hoped that the Stace Exchange would soon
be put into successful operation.
While the number of Alliances and their
membership had not been increased during
the past year, the efficiency OF the Organlza-
tiOn had been greatly strengthened through
the formation of legislative councils. and the
visitatiOns of the State and district lecturers
had done much 20 educate the farmers and
toinfuse new life into langushing Alliances.
let afff COX rrf Irr
worked as might have been desired, owing
to the election of district lecturers who
were unable 10 discharge the arduOus duties
connected with the position. lie recon-
mended that the district lecturers be elected
annually at the state meeting, and that all
vacancies from a failure 10 accept OF dis
charge the duties of the Office DO filled by
appointment by the president.
THEIR DUES.
The failure Of many of the sub and coun-
Is alliances % collect and remit promptly
their dues 90 the State Alliance had serious
w embarrassed the executive committee
and legislative council IL the prompt dis
charge of their duties Thus through the
want of means 10 had been impossible TO
supply the demands made fOr speakers and
lecturers but It was very gratifying and
encouraging 20 know that the people from
every norton of the State were taking
deep interest in Alliance affairs.
Ia abiding to the newspapers OF the state
the speaker said that the partisan papers
had interfered with the growth and har-
rnOny OF the order that Undergraduates
had preiudiced many readers against the
objects and purposes OF the order. NotWith-
standing this fact the state Alliance had
succeeded in establishing press OF Its Own
and the number of reform papers was IN
creaslng. ,f-.
PAGE said Let me remind you that the
Farmers Alliance and Industrial mon Is
mot a political party. since the obligation
taken bv each member guarantees 10 nm
the freedom of his religion and pollucal
views but we all stand pledged Dy our
ALLEGATION 20 support the constitution and |
laws of our order. and statutory law No 70, /
expressly declares that all resolutions that |
snail be adopted by the national council |
shall be laws governing the membership OF /
the order, etc.
FREE SILVER.
In referring 10 the memorial presented by /
the legislative committee 70 the last Oou-
0ress he wanted % know whose fault 10 was /
that the Free Silver bill mad not been
passed. After mentioning other complaints
OF alleged bad faith ne said:
Having been a Democrat all my life. and /
q devoted advocate OF my party success.
30 has cost me no httle eHoTt 10 disch"F~e
the dutv feel incumbe upon me Us presl-
dent oil she State Farmers Alliance IN pre-
seDtino 10 YOU my view Of the condition Of
tmnps which surrounds US. and [ have lett
uusaid many things ia the interest OF mar
MOry.n o.,
lie spoke in touching terms OF the late
j.. a.. Polk. president of the National organ
lzation. ana thanked Tire members OF TIE
order Tor the many cOurtesies EXTENDED MIN
and begged that the delegates woula not
let party zeal overcome their deVouoh 10
the principles of the order.
AT tie close OF the presidents aduress
recess was taken tor an hour.
AZ the beginning of the afternoon session
u was stated that Mr.. H. H. Louckeo' the
national PRECEDENT OF the Alliance. VINO was
y deliver lecture IN tine evening. had
arrived and was stopping 40 tord's Hotel.
A committee was app Jnted 10 invite Mr.
Lcuckes TO address be convention. lie
soon arrived and WAS introduced by Major
Page. The visitor spoke briefly on the
National Alliance and pointed out the nee
essity Of cooperation on the part 81 all the
Alliances IN tho various sections OF the
country.
Secretary Silyey next submitted his re-
port which showed balance on hand
amounting 10 $1,000.
The report OF the executive committee