The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-17
FARMERS ALLIANCE.
President Pages Annual Report to
the Suprerne Council

WASHINGTON, Feb 16.-The annual
meeting Of the Supreme Council of the Ma
tional Farmers Alliance opened here to-
day. The council is the governing body of
the alliance and representatives from over
score of States gathered to talk of the
affairs of the greater organization and the
interests of the agricultural classes. The
sessions to-day We're presided over by Pres
ident Mann Page, of Virginia. and were
practically devoted to organization and an
nual reports. The decline of prices for ag-
ricultural products and the consequent de-
pressed condition of the farmers was the
chief topic of discussion.
The report of President Page recited that
the past year has been one of intense po-
litical excitement which so preoccupied the
people that, although there were no politica al
dissensions in the order. very little consid-
Grafton was given to the upbuilding of the
alliance and bringing into this great fold of
agriculture those who by their labor produce
all the intrinsic wealth of our country"
tie congratulated the order that it's MEN,
bers who teach the principles of economic
government i'm a strictly nonpartisan spirit
have not labored in vain, and he added:
The governments first duty should be the
protection of the citizens against the op-
preston of corporations. Nor should the
chartered rights of corporations be sub
jected TO the control of a concentrated
money power dominated by foreign infiu-
ences. The proposition 10 drop the word
alliance account of its political bias
does not meet with my approval so far as
the national organization is concerned
From the organization of the National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union un-
til now none of my predecessors has rec
ogniZed the right of any State, county or
suballiance To introduce partisan politics in
To the order. For any one of them to foster
the success of any political party would be
10 violate our declaration of principles"
The report strongly indorsed the scheme
of establishing cooperative unions in va
rtous States To assist the wealth producers
in diSposing OF their products and to over
come the stagnation in business cast by
the present system of contracted curren-
cy, and urged that the council further
promote these principles. The report con-
cludeS: But cannot understand why this
grand organization should drop the name
alliance which has become the shibboleth of
the producing classes in their struggle for
economic reforms, who despise misrepresen-
tation and prejudice engendered by a hos
tile press controlled by the combined money
power. have in the late election received the
Endorsement of nearly one-half of the citi-
Zens of this country. To make the change
might be construed as an acknowledgements
of the verdict rendered al the polls last No
Vember in favor OF an administration con-
trolled by a foreign financial policy. hostile
and detrimental TO the rights and interes Is
of the wealth producers of America had
been accepted by us conclusive and a
surrender of the financial issue for which
the alliance has so earnestly contended."
The report or SeCretary-TreaSure X, A
Southwark of Colorado recommended that
q mortgage-paying feature be started dur
ing this year 10 redeem every home in the
membership in twenty years by simply pay
ing : per cent. interest for about sixteen
years. This, IL is stated, will reimburse all
expense and leave % per cent. more in the
treasury than has been drawn out.