The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-12-29
NAT. F: A. AND |. U. DEPT
At St. Paul Mr.. ]. G. Ranley will re-
ceive subscriptions for The Representa-
tive at his Office, 200 Washburn bldg.
ALLIANCE DEPARTMENT.

ALLIANCE DEPARTMENT..
We clip the following from the ALI
ance Advocate, read it:
1t is strange in this age of enlighten-
ment and intelligence to see the gross
inequalities which prevade nearly every
walk of life. And In no instance Is it's
glazing hidiousness so apparent as
among the farmers. 1t is strange that
a class SO numerous and intelligent
would permit their interests to be ex-
plotted by a few demagogues or politi-
clans who seek to obtain a fat office,
and good living at the farmers ex-
pense while in return for this distinction
and confidence reposed in him by his
farmer patron, he distinguishes him
self by misrepresenting the interests
which he was assigned to advance and
protect
We presume that the isolation of
the farmer, and the attendant lack Of So
cial relationship and the proverbial mod
esty and forbearance of the ruralistic
class is the only reasonable excuse we
can find for this condition of
affairs. We would respectfully call the
attention Of our farmer citizens to some
of those glazing conditions
First, we would call his attention to
the fact, as the Advocate understands It,
that the agriculturalist pays the bulk of
the taxes to support the state and its
institutions. Second. that he has the
least representation of any business or
calling upon any of those board or de-
partments of state institutions. Take
the state house with roster of forty
officials from governor down to barber
commissioner, only one farmer is recog:
| nized as holding position and that is
the position of state boiler inspector.
We cannot see wherein the agriculture
al interest is involved in Inis particular
appointment. The state courts (su-
preme) with roster of nine no farmer
is represented Except that eminent
agriculturalist, the clerk of the supreme
court, who was such shining light at
y.
The governors military staff, thirty
members; no farmer. State institutions,
hospitals for insane, board Of trustees,
| five members; no farmer. First hospi-
tai, located at St. Peter, resident officers.
six; no farmer. Second hospital, located
at Rochester, resident officers, farmers,
none Third hospital located at Fer
gus Falls, six resident officers; farmers,
none. Minnesota Soldiers Home, locat-
ed at Minnehaha Falls, four directors;
farmers, none. Minnesota institute for
detectives, for deaf, blind and feeble
minded, located at Faribault, resident
officers, five; farmers none State law
librarian at state capitol, Chas A. Gill
! man, St. Cloud, don't know if he is
farmer or not. State normal school,
located at WinOna, st. Cloud, Mankato
and MOOrhead; no farmers. State pub
lie schools for department children,g To-
Gated at Owatonna, board of control,
three members; no farmer. State pris-
on, located at Saltwater, INSPECTORS,
tive; don't know of any farmer on said
board. State refOrmatory, located at st.
Cloud, three officers; no farmer. State
training school for boys and girls, locat-
ed at Red Wing, several officers: no
farmer. State board and associations,
board of auditors state agricultural So
clety, four members; no farmer. Board
Of regents Statei University of Mime
sofa, no farmers that l know Of State
board of drainage commissioners, three:
no farmer. State board of game and fish
commissioners, five; farmers, none
State railroad and warehouse commits
sion, four members; no farmer. State
capitol commissioners, seven members:
no farmer. State dairy and food COM
mission, four members of staff; no
farmer. State fair in charge of Agricul-
tural Society, which is controlled by
lawyers and politicians; no farmer.
State fish hatchery, four members on
sta1f; no farmer. State surveyor gen.
eral of logs and lumber seven members:
no farmer. State grain inspectors, four
departments; no farmer.
The above is a mute but eloouent ox-
position of the tender regard with which
the agricultural class is recognized by
the dominant party of this state. The
Advocate only named such institutions
as was of general character and in which
the farmer had a direct interest. The
question now arises whose fault is It
that this condition prevails. The Ad-
vocate answers frankly that it is the
farmers fault The next question arises
what is the remedy? The Advocate
answers, take action and demand
representation upon every institution or
state board above enumerated" Tho
next question arises, chow will we do
t?'' The Advocate again answers
through the great society of agriculture
in this state known as the National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union.
representing membership of some 40
600 farmers. The next question is, when
can this be done? Again the Advocate
answers "at once" Andr when orr
great state convention convenes in Jam
uary at the capitol, present a list Of
farmers names to the governor who will