The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-11-16

IUEhN A6 4hGNAN A. w V09@s IAN
first platformwas the hasty work of the
reform forces that came together at
Omaha. Those who we're there will un
derstand this fact. Amidst all the useless
verbiage contained in that platform, it
is q wonder that the great principles
for which we are c~ontending should
have found a lodgment.
Every article presented in the papers
by Mr.. Archer was fully intended by
the different reform forces, Previous
to that time the taxation question had
been fully discussed all over the coun
try, especially in the South, but made
more noisy in the North because OF the
Henry George single tax movement.
In spite Of this the people instinctlvely
felt the money question was the first
great issue. Tney never dreamed THAT
free silver coinage, or any other lone
idea" would be singled out by tricky
politicians and q great campaign I'll
On that alone, and the Peoples party
thus side tracked four years later.
While the working peoples orders
were ~contending for a radical change
and reform in taxation, the Alliance
was as tenaciously urging the sub treas
ury plan. They have never yet given
up that idea except to the extent that
it shall be loaned, or rather issued on
real estate and not upon ~perishable
products. The amount OF interest to
be charged for these issues was put at
q nominal figure, that is, prsc sically
at cost, so that the government should
not realize any profits from money
loaned. One idea Of the sub-treasury
scheme was to do away with interest
on money as far as possible. Even now
the Alliance demands ian equitable
and efficient means of distribution Of
this currency, directly to the people.
At the minimum of expense and
without the Intervention Of banking
corporations"
The Alliance never did give so full
q d~eIiverence on taxation as the other
working orders; yet their delegates to
the St. Louis Convention kept the
faith with the workers In demanding
the principle of graduated taxation,
Ito the end that aggregated wealth
wealth shall bear it's just proportion OF
taxation"
lam glad to see the graduated policy
more clearly outlined and revived by
these three articles in the Alliance
organ. / would present q slight amend
ment aiming to shield the industrial
classes q little more from taxes on their
annual products. It is a great princi.
pie to rest the burdens of taxation on
aggregate wealth in all its varied forms.
l hold that we must stand together
under the compact entered into at
Omaha to achieve this end.
It was an excellent idea OF Bro.
Archer to use the old ARK Of the Gov
enant" to illustrate the agreement Of
all the orders of the industrial people
at Omaha on a political platform of
principles to be taught and honestly
worked for until adopted into our
economic 81 stem. Parties may come
and parties may go, but these prinei-
pie will never die, nor will the indus
trial orders advocating them either
down, die or scatter, until these aims
are accomplished.
/ think, however, that we should
agree together and set forward the
greatest leader possible for a national
campaign as we'll as for every other
Office. A man who cannot aid will
not advocate every article and every
principle in our platform is not f5 to
be a Peoples Party candidate. No
single plank platform for me, either to
stand on or fight for.
The people are not such fools as pol
icticians take them to be. They now
see plainly the folly and deception of
such political trickey.
fully agree with what seems to be
the burden of your correspondence
three long and able articles. We must
stand together on the great fundamen
tai principles first agreed upon at
Omaha. Our expression should be
clear, plain, explicit and ringing. But
l have already gone beyond the limi g
of your patience, so will close.
L @. BATEMAN.
Auburn, Maine.
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