The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-01-12
Inpsrfsst Page


adopted by the legislature, then in SEES.
sion. for the reduction Of freight rates
on railroads by uniform cut of 20 Del
cent on such rates; also to reduce pas
senger rates to 2 cents per mile; also
to protect the rights of the holders OF
railroad mileage books, and also to Sc
cure the establishment of scales. for The
weighing of grain shipped, at all rail
road stations in the state; and
Whereas, the committee prepared the
bills in question and submitted them to
the railroad committee of the last house,
and they were refused and contemptu-
ously thrown aside without one word Of
approval from any member of said COM
mittee; therefore
Resolved, That a committee of fit
teen members be appointed by the chair
and instructed to renew it's demands
before the next legislature, and that the
farmers OF the state are urgently re-
quested to vote for no man next fail
licly pledges himself, in writing, to ad-
vocate and vote for the said measures
Whereas, it is always easier to ere lte
distrust than to inspire confidence; and
therefore the Spectator who seeks to
break down the prices of an agricultural
production has a great advantage over
TnOSQ who tn o,pf nd
whereas, the depreciation of the said
prices is not only a robbery of the farm
ers, but great injury to the merchants,
the manufacturer and the whole popula-
ton; therefore
Resolved, That we denounce the
dealing in options and the selling of that
which the seller does not own, and de-
manded that it be suppressed by law.
Resolved, That we recommend and
urge upon all farmers in the state Of
Minnesota, regardless of party, the duly
Of refusing to vote for any nominee
who has been faithless to his obligations
to the whole people, while in Office es-
pecially do we urge this duty where
voting for state officers and members
Of the legislature, there being no other
way of securing just laws and the faith
full administration thereof.
Resolved, That while we do not re-
commend that mob law and violence be
applied to public officers who betray
their trust for money or Office, we do feel
that some stringent and radical means
should be adopted to put stop to t--e
universal corruption which threatens To
swallow up free institutions and reduce
the people to bondage.
Resolved, That we demand a reduc-
ton of at least twenty per cent in the
rates Of transportation Of grain in IL
state, while the income of the people has
been, by unwise legislation, reduced at
least one-half, the great corporations
should share with us in the economics
to which we are brought.
Resolved, That we demand that IL
terest on money be reduced in Mime
sofa from ten to six per cent per annunl.
Even the latter rate is more than any
legitimate business can afford to pay
at this time. And we also demand that
laws be passed whereby the whole pow
or of the state government shall be used
to seek out and punish the usurious
practice now SO universal in this state.
The land is passing away from the pro-
ducers, who create the wealth OF the
community, to non producers who con-
tribute nothing to the prosperity of the
commonwealth. The state government,
created and supported by the people,
has been too long used to aid the plun-
derers Of the people. We call upon -he
farmers to aid us in changing the pre-
sent evil conditions.
Whereas, The state railroad and
warehouse commission has to deal di-
rectly with matters pertaining to the
welfare Of the agricultural interests Of
the state; and whereas, said Interests
are not represented upon said commits
sion by single member who is prac-
teal farmer, Therefore be it resolved:
That we, as members Of the Farmers
Alliance and Industrial Union, of this
state, demand that in the future our in
terests be represented upon said COM
mission by some member of this body
who is actually engaged in the farming
industry, without regard to his politi-
cal affiliations.
Whereas, Past experience has demon
strated that the men elected to represent
our interests in the state and national
halls Of legislation, have almost invari-
ably proved recreat to the trust imposed
upon them, by helping to defeat such
measures as were introduced in our be-
half.
Therefore, Be it Resolved, That in
all future elections. the members of the
Farmers Alliance shall demand pledge
from all candidates for their SURFACES.
to support such measures as are en-
bodied In our platform of demands, or
Endorsed by this body.
Further Resolved, That no candidate
of any party shall receive the support
or suffrage of any member Of this Al
lance II he refuses to comply with the
provisions Of the last above resolution.
Whereas. To our mind the best in
terests Of the agriculturalists Of this