The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-08-22

ally 20 ~
I'd class interest to the detTiment of
the peopie. He cares nothing for the
name or the label of the party; but
whatever party his conscience, en-.
frightened by a correct knowledge of
shows him he should support for
that one election, he supports with all
the zeal and ability that his maker has
blessed him with.
This l conceive to be the duty of all
true Alliancemen with reference co
politics. .r-
When the political evils from which
we are suffering arr corrected, then let
the organization give its chief attention
to it's original purpose. But also re-
member that it will be. ever necessary
for us to keep we'll informed on pOliti
cal questions. and take. keen and &C
tive interest in the actions of all politi-
cal parties, less the enemy of the peo-
pie should then corrup5 our govern,
ment again. Our victory so far has
come through education. Let us con
tinue to educate. Let us spread re-
form literature. We have done much,
but we can and should do more. Your
State organ should have 40, 600 sub
scrihers in this State.
l feel like congratulating the ALI
anc on its success in political Teforma
tiCn so far. For We have succeeded in
two very important points, two points
that make genuine reform q certainty
in the ear future:
First: We have succeeded in getting
some Of the real issues before the peO-
pie, and they are now clearly defined.
Second: We have succeeded in get
ting the whole responsibility On one
political party.
The author of the game of shifting
responsibility Is no lees a parsonage
than Satan himself. He commenced
the game in the Garden of Eden, and
will continue to try to work it till the
end Of time. But the politician is now
nearing the end of his row. The party
now i'll power must stand by the PEG
pie and reap it's reward, Or it must fail
to do so, and be swept from existence.
Some true Alliancemen have honest
IL differed as to methods and party
agencies in the past, but the time Is
near at hand when there will be no eX
cUse or chance for honest men to differ.
Let every refOrmer take fresh courage
and hope. Yet let us continue to edu
cate, let us continue to organize, build
the organization stronger, as well as
larger. Stand by your guns and press
forward with your banner, and victory
will soon crown y our heroic and patri
otto efforts.
THE POLK MONUMENT.
Over a year ago the most command,
ing figure and the most magnetic force
in the reform movement was called
upon b. an inscrutable Providence to
lay down the great work he was doing
for humanity. No man in the organi
cation has had an equal place in the
hearts Of the people, and while this is
his highest tribute and his proudest
monument, yet it is a duty that we
owe ourselves more than to him, that
we should give such evidence to the
remainder of the world of our esteem
and affection for him. Let US not de-
lay this matter longer. Let each ALI
anceman in North Carolina resolve
that before another State Alliance con-
vene3 that a plain but imposing marble
shaft shall mark the resting place Of
L. L. Polk.
RELIEF FUND
When l recommended the establish
ment of relief fund a year ago, it was
my idea that the fund should be used
as a charity fund only, that is, that it
should be used to help such as we're in
enough distress to make through their
lodges a public appeal to the brethren
for assistance. 1t was to get rid of the
constant public appeals for aid that the
fund was established. But | am led to
believe that many have appealed for
help from this fund who did not belong
to the class intended to be assisted. The
result has been that the fund has
proven insufficient, and many calls have
not been paid, and some only in part.
| recommend that the plan be abolished
unless it can be so perfected that only
such as T really needy OF III distress
will be helped, and that they be helped
alike. The latter object might be &C
complished by paying appeals once
each quarter, and then paying out pro
rata the money on hand. How the
first object can be secured lam not pre-
pared to say.
ROTATING COUNTY MEETINGS.
In order that some of the State officers
of the Alliance may visit every County
Alliance at least once a year, [ recon-
mend that the State be divided into a
convenient number of districts, and
that the County Alliances of each dis
trict meet on successive days. By this
means every County Alliance could be
visited by a State officer at the same
quarterly meeting, at small cost from
each county. I am sure that beneficial
results would come from such cOnsecu-
tive meetings.
THE AMENDMENTS TO OUR CHARTER.
AS you are aware, the last legislature
amended our charter. 1t first attempted
to repeal it. It is my duty to lay be-
fore you the nature of the amendments
that were passed, ard to inform you of
the circumstances connected with such
action. On the evening of the 18th of
FEBRUARY, received a telegram Gust
IN time to catch the train) saying that
a bill had passed the House to repeal
the charter Of the State Alliance. This
was the nrSt notice that UOI1r chief