The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1894-12-14
KANSAS ALLIANCE.
Annual Meeting at Topeka-Thc Order I
BE Made Non-Partisan.


BE Made Non-Partisan.
TOPEKA, Kan, Dec. 6.-The sixth an
nual meeting of the Kansas Farmers
Alliance opened yesterday. In his adj
dress President Hanna recommended
that the scope of the work of the or
ganization be enlarged and that it CO.
operate with other industrial orgaui-
cations. He also recommended plan of
reorganization on a non-partisan basis.
Referring to the proposition to resubmit
the prohibitory amendment, he said
prohibition had become a fixed policy
of the people of Kansas and he believed
the members of the Farmers Alliance
would join with him in a protest
against another vote on the question.
He criticised the action of President
Cleveland in calling out the federal
soldiers during the Pullman strike last
summer and said that the government
had practically declared Pullman cars
to be part of mail trains.
The report of Secretary French
showed membership of 35, $40 in good
standing.
SECOND DAY.
TOPEKA, Kan, Dec. There was an
increased attendance upon the annual
convention of the State Farmers Alli-
ance yesterday, about sixty delegates
being present when President Hanna
raped for order at the morning ses-
sion. The forenoon session was Gevot-
ed to the consideration of reports of
officers and delegates, and the adoption
of resolutions. In his annual address
President Hanna protested against the
proposition to submit the prohibition
question to vote of the people. In
discussing the late strike, he denounced
President Cleveland for calling out the
troops to quell disturbances. In speak.
ing of the future of the alliance he said
that its success depended upon a gen.
eral reorganization upon nOn-partisan
basis.
Secretary French's report showed
that there were $40 members of the
alliance in good standing in the state
on October /. In 1891 the order had a
membership of 100000. Partisan poll
tics caused the falling off. When the
leaders of the alliance rushed into the
populist party with the order the mem
bers commenced to desert. The lead
ers now see their mistake, and hope to
retrieve their losses by operating on
non-partisan lines in the future.
Resolutions were adopted demanding
postal delivery for the country; pro-
testing against the retirement of silver
and greenbacks by the Cleveland adj
ministration; denouncing the issuance
of bonds; favoring a reduction of the
salaries of national, state and local
officers; favoring a reduction of the
standing army; denouncing the fee
system and recommending the Water
bury-Holden financial system to the
consideration of the members.
Resolutions in regard to the forma-
ton of new silver party are as fol-
lows:
Whereas, A movement is understood to be
contemplated for the organization of what are
usually denominated the elements of diScon-
tent II roughout the country into political
party with a platform embodying the single
issue OF free coinage of silver: now. therefore.
Resolved, That while we recognize the great
Importance OF this question one of the
original St. Louis demands of the Farmers
Alliance, still in our Judgment party with so
narrow q platform could not reasonably expect
the support of members OF this organization:
Resolved, That We deem it a duty to express
our disapprobation of any movement of this
character, which can have no other effect than
to divide the reform forces OF the country at
the ballot box, the only place where they can
possibly make their demands effective.
The opinion prevailed that the order
should in future hold itself aloof from
partisan politics, but nothing was done
in regard to the matter. The copven-
ton closed at night by the election of
the following officers for the ensuing
year: President, j. +. Willets, of JEFF
ferson county; vice president, Mrs. EN-
ma Troudman, of Usage county; secre-
tary and treasurer, j. b. French, OF
Shawnee county; chaplain. Mrs. ID. L.
Furbeck, of Shawnee county; door
keeper. J. S. Ellwood, of Harvey coun-
ty; assistant doorkeeper, Mrs. Z. w.
Crum, of Usage county: steward, w. b.
Gasche, Lyon county; delegates to the
national convention, J, L. Willets and
Mrs. A. Nj. Wardsellm, of Shawnee
county.