Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-12-13
KANSAS ALLIANCE.
Annual Meeting at Topeka-The Order IN
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 organi-
cations. He also recommended plan of
reorganization on a nOn-partlsan 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 a part of mail trains.
The report of Secretary French
showed a membership of So, $40 in good
standing.
SECOND DAY.
TOPEKA, Kan, Dec. There was an
increased attendance upon the annual
conven ton of the State Farmers Ali
ance yesterday, about sixty delegates
being present when President Hanna
raped for order at the morning ses-
sion. The forenoon session was devot-
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 quel disturbances. In speak
ing of the future of the alliance he said
that it's success depended upon a gen
eral reorganization upon non-partisan
basis.
Secretary French's report showed
that there were 35, $40 members of the
alliance in good standing in the state
on October 1. In 1891 the order had
membership of 100, 200. 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 green backs by the Cleveland ad-
ministration; denouncing the issuance
of bonds; favoring a reduction of the
salaries of national, state and local
officers; favoring reduction of the
standing army; denouncing the fee
system and recommending the Water
bury Holden financial system to the
consideration of the mem bers.
IN o,.1 to no
ton of a new silver party are as fol-
lows:
Whereas, A movement is understood to be
contemplated for the organization of what
usually denominated the elements of discon-
tent th throughout 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 a party with so
narrow platform could not reasonably expect
the support of members of this organization;
Resolved That we deem it 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 cOnVen-
ton closed at night by the election of
the following officers for the ensuing
year: President, J. T. Wi1lets, 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. I.
Furbeck, of Shawnee county; door
keeper. J. S. Ellwood, of Harvey coun-
assistant HOOT.lxRRnRr Mrs IL, w
Crum, of Usage county; steward, w. b.
Gasche, Lyon county; delegates to the
national convention, J, +. Willets and
Mrs A NJ. Wardsellm, of Shawnee
| county.
MORE KANSAS APPOINTMENT
Republican officials Elect Complete the
Roster of Their Assistants.
TOPEKA Kan, Dee. 7.-State Treas