The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-16
FARMERS IN SESSION.
sorrTrONS WHTCH COMMEND
,,cgMoyD PEOPLE AND BASKy.
.,dsnt Mann Page Delivers Long Adj
Ar..s-Tbey Did Not Pay the Expenses
Of Third Party speakers.

enthusiasm. IN these respects the
..cohjaqe was in strong contrast 10
,,e meetings Of the Alliance in the same
,,,ce for the two past years. when the
,.u was crowded with delegates and
EDITORS and the Hobbies teaming with
,,e crowd Of Alliancemen from all over
,he state. who were here taking deep
interest IA the convention.
Then the members of local Alliances
oere here In force and eagerly sought
che FORGOTTEN password 10 secure adj
r,uiancc. The speaking then was enthu-
sasiic. and many issues were warmly
discussed. The scene around the Capitol
VAS fu Of life and movement, and the
seht an impressive one.
The same methods prevailed At ycster-
DAYS convention. The Alliance met be-
llrd closed doors. and the password was
necessary 10 gain admittance. but the
crowds were not there. and the conven-
lion was conducted very quietly
The number in the hall did not exceed
twenty-five persons. and besides the
LIST % delegates published exclusively
l1 yesterdays Times, there were very
few in attendance. Fifty-two out OF one
hundred counties were represented.
Major Mann Page. president Of the AL
lance. called the body 10 order at noon,
secretary J. j. Silvey occupying his
c8stomed place.
The President read his annual mes
sage. which was received with evident
abstraction and referred to the proper
committee.
The message, which contains about
80 words, Is shorter than those Ma or
Page has addressed 20 the same conven-
ton Ia past years, and contains little 20
arouse interest outside OF the Alliance.
In opening Major Page says;
In presenting for your consideration
this. my third annual message. as Presi-
dent / shall endeavor 20 give you
correct account Of the circumstances
which have confronted US since our last
meeting.
Events have franspired that have
tested our courage patience. fidelity and
endurance as nothing has been left UNI
done 20 accomplish our ruin by those
opposed 10 our organization. That we
have been able 10 withstand these at
tacks should encourage us TO press for
ward I'm our forts 10 place the inter
ests Of the agricuturist properly before
the people. that they may rise in their
majesty and help us to secure equal
rights for all, and special privileges to
u0ue.'
Your attention is respectfully called
10 the changes made In our constitu-
ton az the last session. When, I'm the
interest OF eco lomy, legislative councils
were abolished, II was desired TO ascer-
tain. II possible. what more effective
system might be adopted 10 inform and
encourage our people. 1t is TO be re-
GREETED that lack Of funds has prevented
the employment of our State lecturer
and his assistants I'm the discharge Of
their duties, but II must be apparent to
au that II we would have the Alliance
strengthened. not only by numbers. but
in intellectual growth, we must inform
the people and correct false impressions
- assiduously circulated at the instiga-
ton Of those organizations who have
grown rich at our expense.
"Our order IS now passing through
the crucial test that all reform organiza-
tons must, when their zeal and power are
fet
The continued depression I'm financial
circles the inability 10 realize any re-
runoratiCn for what we produce and our
inability 10 see any advantage likely TO
Sccrue 20 the producing classes If the
policy to measure all values by a con
tractei gold standard should be enacted
into law by the present Congress now in
session should arouse us TO exert our
selves In demanding that the rights OF
te debtor class be as equally protected
before the law as are those of the credi-
tor.
TO accomplish this we should demand
the repeal OF those laws that have en-
fched the few at the expense Of the many
and that the legislative enactments by
the State and the General Government
should be- for the benefit OF its citizens,
uninAucnced by the financial policy of
European bankers or their agents
1T is not my intention TO occupy your
time by discussing the political issues now
confronting us, as l desire TO avoid any
illusions that might be construed as
partisan. but there are circumstances af-
feeting the dignity honor and discipline
o. the order that feel compelled TO lay
before you.
Third Party Speakers.
During the heated political canvass
OF last year II was repeatedly charged
that the funds OF the Alliance were being
used 20 pay the expenses Of Third party
stump-speaker
Major Page then devotes a large part
NJ his message TO showing that the pub
Ashed charges of this nature by the Ali
once News. Of Wytheville. last year. the
Chesterfield County Alliance. the Acco-
mac County Alliance and others were
without foundation. A number Of letters
in evidence accompanied the message.
Closing the subject he says:
81 cannot dismiss this subject without
the State Alliance was without funds
after paying the mileage and per diem OF
the delegates, and every intelligent ALI
anCeman knows that no funds were due
Go the Alliance until after the October
meetings OF the county Alliances. Con-
sequentiy the charge so repeatedly made
that the funds Of the Alliance were being
used 10 pay political speakers was as
malicious as untrue"
In referring 10 the Withholding Of dues
10y "contumacious' county Alliances and
the financial condition of the State ALI
ance the president says:
Just previous TO the meeting Of the
National Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union. at Memphis. ia November Brother
j. j. Silvey. our secretary, informed me
tAat there was not enough ncney In
Ms hands 10 pay the per capita tax due
no National Alliance. On consultation
With my two colleagues. Brothers 4. r.
Coke and j. Haskins Hobson, delegates
s. the meeting, we became responsible
o The secretary treasurer of the National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union
for the deficiency in the dues 10 the Ma
tonai Alliance. which have been settled
81 fun, though the advances made by US
70 the Alliance still remain unpaid. Thus
We were enabled 10 protect the fair name
and credit Of our State Alliance, while
The dues which had been paid by the sub
Alliances 70 the county Alliances were
Illegally withheld and your officers
charged with misrepresentation of ALI
funds