The record-union., 1896-11-18
FARMERS State ALLIANCE.
The First Days Proceedings Of Its Annual
Session.
Mutual Fire Insurance Project Aban-
doned = Other Matters
Acted On.

The State Farmers Alliance con-
vened In Foresters' Hall yesterday, del
egates from most of the counties being
In attendance.
Owing to the absence of the President
OF the order, the meeting organized by
choosing j. L. Gilbert of Fresno Pres
ioent pro tenn. The meeting throughout
was executive.
Ihe morning session was taken up in
listening to reports by State Lecturer
). l.. Gilbert Secretary and Treasurer,
d. s. Barbee of Los Angeles, the State
Executive Committee (through Chair
man E. NJ. WardalD, and State Busi-
ness Agent ]. M. Moore of San Fran
cisco. The reports were received and
approved
The Committee on Insurance SUBJ
mitted report, which was made the
special order for p. m, at which hour
the attorney for the Alliance, Thomas
v. Gator, was asked to be present and
give legal opinion on the subject, should
cause for such arise
The Alliance has a mutual! life insur-
ance plan, but attempts to take fire
risks among the members meets with
strenuous opposition from the old-lne
companies, and the object Of the special
order of business was to consider the
advisability of raising funds to carry
the matter before the Supreme Court,
where, 1t is thought a decision favor
able to the organization will be given.
The attendance was light at the
mornings session, but on reassem-
bling at D. m. it was considerably IN
creased. Prominent among those pres
ent al the afternoon session was
Thomas V. Gator, the Populist aspirant
for the United States Sena torship. DR..
c. H. Castle and c. H. Barlow, Con-
gressman-elect from the Sixth Dis
trict
The Question of insurance was taken
up ana the Alliances attorney, Mr.
Gator. expressed the opinion that it
was not advisable at this time to
carry the case before the Supreme
Court. His argument was to the effect
that the old-line insurance companies
mad heretofore owned" enough mem
bers Of the Legislature to insure the
lassage cf any measure theo advocated,
and that even if the Supreme Court
rendered decision favorable to the
Alliance the probability was that the
Legislature would pass law defeating
the action of the court
In view of this alleged possibility. the
Alliance determined to take no further
action in the matter. though it was
shown that funds were available 10
prosecute the matter before the Su-
preme Court
The question Of forming a State Co.
operative Association on the Rochedale
F.npliCbf fba
discussed, and while no definite action
was taken, it is thought the discussion
viii result in the appointment this
morning of a committee to confer with
the National Cooperation Committee Of
topeka, kas., with the view of ar
ranging for system that will be ma
tonal in its character and not confined
10 the limits Of any particular State or
community If such a committee is
appointed it will be required to report
either at the next general meeting. or
to the State Central Alliance Commit
tee
The matter of reorganizing county
alliances was also discussed at length
and will probably result in county CEN
tralization- The plan of combining the
several alliances in each county into
one organization, with headquarters at
the county seat, and providing for gen
eral quarterly meetings met with the
approval of most of the delegates
present, and while further considera-
ton was, by agreement, continued un-
til this morning, it is believed that
resolution embodying the proposition
will be finally adopted.
f. NJ. Wardall, delegate to the Ma
tional Alliance that met at Washing
ton, D. c., last winter. handed in his re-
port, which was approved and placed
on file Mr.. Wardall also gave a
graphic description Of the topics con-
sidered at the National Alliance meet
ing, and explained the methods adopted
by which 1t was hoped to attain the
ends aimed at.
To-day's session will be occupied with
unfinished business and the election Of
officers for the ensuing year. The DEL
egates expect that an adjournment will
be had by 3 o'clock at the latest
An informal social meeting was held
by the delegates in the hotel parlors
last evening. at which there was a great
deal of handshaking and swapping"
of "reminiscences. The alliance will re-
assemble this morning at 9 o'clock