The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-11-27
THE ALLIANCE COMMITTEE MEET
ING
AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.

what it lacked in numbers. The times
are dreadfully hard on farmers, and they
seem to be approaching a condition where
they will be unable to defend themselves
for lack of means-but with newspapers
to keep them posted on events, and the
ballot in their hands, they may yet be
able to overthrow their enemies.
President Vermilya was detained at
home by the dangerous illness Of his
bright young son. who had to undergo
surgical operation; and when last heard
from the poor boy was lowering between
life and death Every farmer in the
state will earnestly hope that he may re-
cover. Mr.. Thomas j. Meighen repre-
sented NJ Vermilya as chairman Of the
committee
By a strange coincidence just as Secre-
tary A. H. Hendrickson was about to
start for Minneapolis, a member of his
family became dangerously ill, and he
wired Mr.. Donnelly to represent him on
the committee and act as his proxy
The officers of the Executive Commit
tee of the State Farmers Alliance are:
]. |. Vermilya, president; A. H. Hend-
ricksen, secretary; Hon. H. P. Bjorge,
treasurer; Thomas ]. Meighen, first vice
president; Peter ,-cGrath. second vice
president; Michael Holden, third vice.
president; S. w. Powell. fourth vice-pres-
ident; Jonas Howe, fifth vice-president;
Hon. kittel Halvorsen, sixth vice-presi-
dent.
majority of these were present or
represented by proxies.
The following letter was received
Good Thunder, Nov. II, 1895
Mr. J. I. Vermilya
My Dear Sir: | received your letter of
Nov. 5th; also one from Mr. Hendrickson,
notifying me of the executive committee
meeting on the Goth inst.
| am sorry to be obliged to tell you
that cannot be present on that day; but
all the time, talent and money | have to
spend will be used to build up the Peo-
pies Party. | believe in cooperation at
the ballot box. Yours truly,
P. MeGRATH.
Considerable discussion took place over
the place of holding the annual conven-
ton Of the State Farmers Alliance.
There were some in favor of Secretary
Hendricksons plan of holding it at St
Cloud or Sank Centre, but the view was
expressed by DIR. Johnson, Mr.. Holden
Mr. Meighen, Mr.. Wesenberg of Duluth
and others that the delegates from
Southern and Southwestern Minnesota
would have to pass through Minneapolis
and st. Paul anyhow, and trains might
not cOnect closely, and so they would be
obliged to pay more but might lose an
additional day with additional expense;
and so the following resolution was unan-
1mously adopted.
ReSolved-That committee of three,
tn consist Of Hon. Jonas Howe of Parker,
s. M. Fairchild of Minneapolis and VIM
Lee Moore of Minneapolis be appointed
to make arrangements to secure hall
for the holding of the annual convention
OF the State Farmers Alliance either in
Minneapolis or ST. Paul and that the
committee is requested to correspond
with Mrs. Mary E. Lease and Hon. Jerry
Simpson of Kansas and arrange that
they be present at that time to speak to
the people; and that the committee also
make all necessary arrangements for re-
duced railroad fares and hotel rates.
tjr;iMt EN- tpcJ ddha tip tryttorsa vb
The following resolution was also
adopted unanimously
Resolved-That we desire to express
our profound sympathy with our hon
cred and excellent president, J. I. Yer
milya ESQ.,, in the great affection which
has fallen upon him, in the serious and
possibly fatal illness of his beloved son
and to express our earnest hope that the
danger may pass away, and the life OF
the child be spared to his parents and
family.
There was a general discussion of the
condition of the organization; and the
following address was adopted to be sent
out through The Representative, to the
local Alliances.
ADDRESS.
To the members of the local Farmers
Alliances of Minnesota
Gentlemen:
The Executive Committee of the State
Farmers Alliance would respectfully urge
upon you the great Importance of main
tanning our grand old organization. We
are as well aware as you can be that the
times are most distressing and the suffer
ings of the agricultural class great But
1t must be remembered that the main
taipance of the State Alliance costs it's
members but the trif1ing sum of twenty
cents year. Every farmer can spend
that much to maintain the only society
In existence which defends this class. All
other pursuits, workingmen, lawyers.
doctors, merchants, manufacturers and
bankers, have their societies for mutual
aid and protection. Surely the greatest
interest of all-agriculture- should not be
left naked and defenceless. Political OBJ
5ectiOnS cannot be urged against our So
ciety, for it is, and has been, since the
birth of the Peoples Party, absolutely non
partisan.
The long nights of winter have come
and the Alliance should be used as
means of social intercourse, promoting
friendly relations among neighbors They
should meet with their families, and talk
over the great questions of the day; and
try to ascertain what is best for their
own interests. We must encounter the in
tellgence of those who live off us with
our own intelligence. If we do not we will.
deserve to be destroyed-and we will be-
Every local Alliance should buy supply
of books large or small, according to their
means, and these should be circulated
during the winter all through their COM
munity. The local Alliance can also be
made the instrument of purchasing
cheaper goods, cheaper machinery, ETC.
In many sections the local Alliances have
built mills, erected elevators, grain
houses, ETC., with eminent success, and
saved hundreds of thousands of dollars
to their members.
We must not lie down and die because
the times are hard and money scarce. We
have an abundance of food while vast
populations throughout the world are suf-
fering for enough to eat. The greatness
of race is manifested in it's ability to
overcome evil conditions-and the first
step to this end is cooperation One
man alone is powerless, but conioined to
thousands, who feel as he does he be-
comes a force to be respected.
Therefor we call upon you to never
despair Do not scatter Draw closer TO-