The state herald., 1892-03-04
THE ST. LOUIS CONVENTION.
The Farmsrs' Alliance and Other Orsani-
xations Meet to Form New Party.

|
met In 81. Louis on the 22nd. A committee
on credentials composed Of two members Of
each organization represented was appointed
and reported Tuesday morning, recommend
ing that the following delegates be seated
253 Farmers Alliance, SO F.M.B.A. ,S2 Knights
Of Labor, 07 National Farmers Alliance, %
National Citizens Alliance, O7 Colorcd +. NJ.
B. A., 27 National Citizens Independent Al.
lance, 70 Patrons Of Industry, % Patrons Of
Husbandry; total, 677. Tho Farmers ALI.
ancc was given % delegates at large and II
minor detached organizations and individuals
were given representation of bS.
1gnatius Donnelly moved an amendment
that Miss Francis Willard, Lady Somerset,
Clara Hoffman and F. II. ingalls, be seated rs
delegates, representing the National Woman's
Christian Temperance Union. The amend
mcnt wns greeted with dcafcning cheers, and
adopted.
II was resolved that during recess q com
mlttce on platform be appointed on com.
promise basis, each national organization ia
have three representatives on the platform
committee and each state one representative.
Gen. Weaver moved the election of Prcsl-
"N"h VIM Vi tht hhlinCt NS INliHi-
ncnt chairman Of the convention. The Farm
crs' Alliance gave him 2iG votes, the f. NJ. u.
A. their SO votes, and the Knights their So.
The announcement Of the vote of the knights,
made by Powdcrly personally, was greeted
with great cheering. The voting went on
solidly for Polk, even the Colorcd Alliance
wheeling Into line solldly for him. The color.
cd men got hearty cheer from the Polk men
FOR the compliment.
Mr.. Tcrrill, after the ballotng had proceed.
cd somewhat further, appeared on the stage
and stated that the use Of his name had been
without his knowledge and he desired tc
withdraw. Polk's election was now made
unanimous without any more friction.
Wild cheering was elected by Warlcll OF
South Dakota nominating Miss Frances VIII
lard ms one Of the vice presidents. Kentucky
nominated Terrill once more as the favori,c Of
that state. Both were chosen unanimously.
Miss Willard was called upon TO address the
convention. She was enthusiastically received
and made ringing address OF congra,ula
tloh
John W. Hayes Of the Knights OF Laho,
was made secretary OF the convention by com
mon consent.
Congressman Simpson Of Kansas introduced
resolution fayorlng the establishment Of 1
permanent census bureau with special power
to gather farming statistics. Adopted.
During the evening speeches were mad,
and the convention adjourned until Wcdncs
day to await the report OF the committee OF
resolutions.
Wednesday morning Ignatius Donnclly for
the committee an platform presented their re,
port. 1t comprises long address to the peo
pie of the country and ends with the fol.
lowing:
We assert that political organization, rep
rcscnting the political principle herein stated
Is necessary TO orcdress the grievances OF whicl
we complain.
In order To restrain the cxtortion of aggrc
gated capital, to drive the money changer
out OF the temple, to fern more perfec
union, establish justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide for the common defense, pro
mote the general welfare and secure III,
blessing of liberty for ourselves and our pos
tcrity, we ordain and establish the following
platform of principles:
Flrst-We declare the union of the labor so
cie,lcs OF the United States this day accom-
plished, permanent and perpetual May II b,
In all hearts for the salvation of the rcpubll,
vi
Sccond-Wcalth belongs to him who create
II. Every dollar taken from industry without
an equivalent Is robbery. "lf any will moi
work, neither shall he cat.r The interests o
rural and urban labor are the same; their enc
mics arc Identical.
Hugh Cayanaugh then presented the fol
lowing on behalf OF the committee on plat
form:
We demand Len. ss.s asaaaasl ae salf ses
crnmcnt only, as full legal tender for al
debts, public and private, and that withou,
the use OF banking corporations; Just
cquable and efficient means Of distribution di
rect TO the people aud not to exceed 20 PEI
cent. to be provided for as set forth In III,
sub-trcasury plan Of the Farmers Alliance, o
some better system; also the payment In II,
discharge OF Its obligations for public im
proycmcnts.
We demand free and unlimited coinage o.
silver.
We demand that the amount Of circulation
medium be speedily increased to not less thar
SO per capita.
We demand u graduated income tax.
We believe that the money OF the countr,
should be kept, MS much as possible. In III,
hands OF the people, and we demand that nj
state and national revenues shall be limited I,
the necessary expense Of the government econ
omically and honestly administered.
We demand that postal savings banks be cs
tabllshed by the government for the safe de
poslt Of the earnings Of the people and I,
facilitate legislation.
The land, Including NIL the natural sources
Of wealth, is the heritage of all the people ant
should not he monopolizcd for special pur
poses, while allen ownership Of land should
he prohibited. All lands now held by corpor
ailons In excess Of their natural need
and all lands now held by aliens should be re.
claimed by the government and held for nc
tunl settlers.
Transportation being means OF cxehang,
and public necessity, the government should
own and operate the railroads In the intcrcs
OF the people The telegraph and telephone
like the postoicc system, being n necessity
for the transmission Of news, should he owned
and operated by the government In the inter
csts Of the people.
We demand that the government issue lega
tender notes TO pay the tn.on soldiers III,
difference between the price Of the deprecated
money In which they were paid and gold.
The reading Of the platform was received
with great enthusiasm. A man named swayn,
then offered plank In favor Of eight
hour labor, but II was claimed that he wa,
not delegate and he was forcibly expelled
creating great confusion. Miss Willard offer
cd resolutions In favor Of woman's suffrage
aud prohibition. but they were voted down
a resolution WAS adopted urging that III,
question Of woman's suffrage be considered b,
the legislature Of each staic. The platform
was adopted unanimously, nnd the convcntlo,
adjourned sine die. The convention was yer,
disorlcrly during the afternoon session, and
very little regard mas paid TO parliamentary
law.
Alta meeting held nfterwari by tho cx
ccuilye committee II wns decided to hold q
convention on July 9TH 10 nominate eandl
dates for president and Vice prcsiicnt