The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-06

M. E. Murray, representing the fed
Grafton of labor of ST. Paul, made a
short address on the same question.
He thought that a portion at least
Of the idle labor that comes to the
cities would be kept on the farm, If
shorter hours Of labor were exacted
and more men given employment in
the agricultural districts. The neces-
sity for cooperation of the farmer
and the laboring men was urged and
Mr.. Murray promised for the Fedora
tion Of Labor assistance on needed
legislation which the alliance might
propose.
The report Of the committee on res
olut1OnS was not received until nearly
dark. Following is the complete re-
port, which was adopted without dis
cussion:
The Farmers Alliance of the state of Min
nesota. in convention assembled hereby re-
tterate their attachment to the grand funda-
mental principles in industrial and political
ife. which have given health to the organ
share of the confidence and esteem of the
producing masses, and which have enabled it
In the past so effectively to direct attention
toward. and secure at least partial remedies
Tor, the greatest evils which have afflicted
American society.
Recognizing a universal principle in
social and political economy that the wealth
and prosperity Of the nation have their basis
IN the well being OF agriculture we ask the
attention Of the whole people, both of the
state and OF the nation to the condition of
unprecedented depression which at present
distinguishes the agricultural calling.
AS a result of the adoption and promotion
OF policies in legislative and administrative
departments OF government, the lessening of
the -VaIues OF agricultural products has gone
steadily on, until we have reached a condition
When. IN literal truth, it has become more
prontable for the farmer to leave his acres
untitled beyond that point absolutely neces-
sary 10 the maintenance Of his family and
tne payment, at vast sacrifices, of his pecu-
mary obligations. While the farmer has thus
continued, discouraged and impoverished the
producing masses OF the American people
nave been steadily driven from bad to worse.
until 1oday, IN every section of this coun-
Try they stand helpless, in idleness and
poverty, not knowing what additional dis
asIer the morrow may bring forth to them
Inc American farmer has never demanded
aught from the government which was not
designed to advance the welfare of the pro
queers he seeks no special privileges, but
ne mas demandedse and still demands that
an end snail be brought to the methods
whereby the ownership of special privileges
ana exemptions in public relationship has
produced in American society a class OF ex
Lremely wealthy men, banded together in
Doards OF directors of trusts and corporations
whose absorption of public wealth and sub,
prosperity. eooA
On behalf Of the farmers of Minnesota we
uel1and that the common carriers of this state
snail be compelled, in their charges for carrI-
ing the products Of the farmer to recognize
the changed conditions which attend the for
tunes OF the husbandmen. While the prices
Whlcn the farmer receives for his produce
nave in recent years been cut in two the
cost OF transportation and the usual charges
0I 81 proouctlon remain substantially unchanged
the surplus of the profits Of the soil which
remains to him after meeting his unavoida
bic expense has been reduced under existing
cohdltlons so as to render his impoverishment
unaV Voloapie Nor are conditions in this re-
spect improving the days go by. On the
contrary, they are growing daily worse ow-
ing, as we believe, to the unusual facility
with which the carrying corporations now
enjoying tnefr usual prosperity, secured con-
troll OF public agencies in every direction and
Of every character N
In line with the economies and sacrifices
which the individual citizen is compelled to
make, we deem that the cost of the actual
conduct OF government in the compensation
or pu!lc officials and in all other essential
expenditure OF government shall be reduced
to the minimum.
Resolved, That we demand that the gov
ernment state and federal, shall assume
substantial control and regulation of all trans
portetion agencies, not as at present exer-
cised in the interest of the corporations but
IN order to enforce some reasonable measure
Of Justice in the relations of the people and
these carriers. We denounce the administra-
tion of the interstate commerce commission
as fraud upon the country, regarding that
body as we do very little more than a pension
bureau OF superannuated politicians or com.
plaisant political tools. Nor do we consider
our state railroad commissioners as much of
Resolved, That we demand the abolition OF
the national banks as banks of issue, and we
declare our conviction that the peoples
money whether gold silver or paper or all
combined, shall be issued by the federal gov
ernment and i'll sufficient volume to the safe
and proper conduct of the peoples business
land and the treasury department in issuing
$262, O0OO United States bonds in times OF
peace.
Resolved, That we express our settled con-
V1cttQQ that the time has uh he
residents Of American cities shall seriously
cotemplate assuming the ownership and con-
troll OF all forms Of public monopoly relat-
ing to the facilities for municipal lighting.
water supply and transportation.
Resolved, That we recommend that all state
and municipal improvements shall be done
by the state and municipality directly, and
that the labor engaged on such improvements
shall be done by day work rather than by
contract
Thomas J. Meighen, Chairman,
&C. H. Hopkins,
IN. D. Vandergon,
A. D. Roe,
j. c. Hanley,
J. c. Hanley, of st. Paul, who was
member of the committee on resolu-
tions, then took the floor and got in
a blow on that bugbear he fought all
last year in every convention and
gathering of the Peoples party-the
struck jury system. He also said
something about the election and terms
OF office and emoluments Of state and
county officers. These positions were
embodied in the form of a resolution
and Mr.. Hanley asked the meeting to
pass them and add them to the re-
port of the regular committee M. J.
Costello, also a member of the commit
tee on resolutions, said these questions
had been considered by the committee
and it was not deemed wise to insert
them in the report at this time. Mr..
Hanley's resolution dragged politics
into the report and the meeting would
find itself involved in a political argu-
ment, if it was attempted to pass them.
And SO it proved. If the hour had
not been so late and the hall so dark
that the delegates could hardly dis
tinguish one anothers' faces, the dis
cussion that broke out over this reso-
luton might have been prolonged until
midnight. Finally it was agreed to
table the resolution until today, when
it Is expected the debate will break
forth with still greater virulence.
THE EVENING SESSION
was held In the representatives hall
Continued ON Fourth Page.