The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-06
WHICH THE LEGISLATURE WOULD
DO WELL TO ABOLISH If
POSSIBLE.
REVISION OF THE TAX SYSTEM
Is Also Urged by the Members of
the Alliance in It's Annual
Session

minnesota FARMERS Alliance was called
to order by President Vermilyea. The
southern part Of the state was fairly
we'll represented, but the northern and
western portions were almost without
delegate. Later in the day delegates
who were on delayed trains came in,
and before the committee on credentials
reported in the afternoon there were
forty accredited delegates to the meet
Ing present The storm doubtless had
much to do with the small attendance,
but among the members 1t was said
that there had been falling off in in
terest in the alliance for several years
past, and many alliances had failed to
keep up their organization.
But, whatever the cause Of the small
attendance, there was no lack of inter-
est shown by the few that were present
in the questions that have been upper
most in the minds of the farmers since
they began legislating on paper for
themselves. The same old ogres, the
same old speeches against the same
abuses, In many cases the same old
speakers with the same stock Of argu-
ments-al these and no lack Of vehe-
ment argument made the session one Of
interest. President Vermilyea's address
was short and to the point. He stated
that one Of the objects to be discussed
at the present meeting was the union
OF the alliance with the Farmers In
dustrial union of the South and West.
He called attention to the falling off in
numbers of the alliance, and expressed
the opinion that the combination Of the
northern farmers with their brothers in
the South and West in the Industrial
union was suggestion worthy Of care
full consideration. He gave statistics
concerning the investment Of foreign
capital in this country, and urged his
hearers to be up and vigorous in the
battle that must be waged in the legis-
lature to preserve the freedom and
rights of the people.
Ignatius Donnelly made a speech that
was much appreciated by all present.
He reviewed the history Of the alliance
and said he thought it's decreasing
membership was due to the organiza-
ton OF the Peoples party, which had
attracted the farmers all over the coun-
try. But, he was also Of the opinion
that the alliance had a work to per-
form that could not be accomplished by
the Peoples party, and he advised the
retention Of the alliance in every COM
munity. There were dangers connected
with the proposed coalition with the
farmers society Of the South and
West, and these must be guarded
against, or all the good that had been
accomplished by the alliance would be
lost.
1t was decided to reorganize the state
alliance, as many of the local societies
have dropped out Of existence, and a
committee was appointed to ascertain
who were present entitled to member
ship. This committee consisted Of
Messrs. G. H. Hopkins, Of Renville
county; H. A. Swayne, Of Rice county,
and John Campbell, Of Winona county.
1t was also agreed that credentials
would not be necessary, and that all
persons known to be in sympathy with
the Farmers Alliance should be ad-
mitted to the convention. Later in the
day this committee reported forty per-
sons present entitled to seats in the
convention and the right to participate
in the discussions. This did not in
clude many representatives Of labor
unions from st. Paul, who were present
and who were invited to take a part in
the proceedings, particularly in the dis
cussion Of the eight-hour law as applied
In cities, and its possible enforcement
on the farm. The chair appointed a
committee on resolutions, which la
bored long and faithfully until after 4
o'clock
While the committees were absent
the argumentative war began and con-
tlnued until late in the afternoon with
a brief recess at noon. P. H. .Rahilly.
of Lake City, got the floor and began
a speech against the railroads. He
said there were general complaints
all over the state against the roads
which had refused to put In weighing
scales at grain shipping points and
open charges of dishonesty were made
against the railroad companies
Repeated appeals to the railroad
and warehouse commission had brought
no relief, he said, and he moved that
a committee of three be appointed to
go to the commission and learn what
1t proposes to do in this matter. In
the event that relief Is not promptly
furnished, Mr.. Rahilly said the alH-
ance should go directly to the legisla-
ture and Sc what that body would
do for the farmers J. T. Ames, of
Northfield, wanted the powers Of the
committee enlarged so as to include all
kins had a plan to unite the farmers
Of the two Dakotas and Minnesota
in a cooperative combine to build a
series Of elevators and establish a
sinking fund which would enable the
farmers to control the market. Frank
Hoskins, of Otter TAIL told the farm
ers that they were but wasting time
in their arguments and they would be
unable to accomplish anything by ap-
pealing to the commission. Then H.
A. Swayne, of Rice, in a burst of in
d1gnation, declared the commissioner
was a useless luxury to the state and
that the commissioners were not worth
the powder to blow them up.
At the afternoon session the eight
hour question came up in the course
of the speech-making. Again Mr..
Rahilly got the floor and declared that
the eight-hour system was all right for
the Ia abocers n the city and the machan-
ic, but that it would never do on the
farm Mr.. Hoskins told the audience
he knew better, and recited the ex-
periments of a farmer, who put some
of the men and horses at work for
eight hours, others for ten hours, and
yet third crew for twelve hours.
| After a time he put the eight-hour
crew at work for twelve hours and
the twelve-hour men on the eight
hour system. BY thus changing and
carefully noting the results, he found
that both men and horses accomplished
more in eight hours, working system
atically and for the full limit of the