The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-10-26
n. F: A. AND !. U.

According to the instructions Of the execu-
tive board of the Minnesota Farmers Al
lance and Industrial Union, the state Sec
rotary has forwarded the Official letter"
authorized by the Alliance, to the candi-
dates of all political parties and requested
an answer from same not later than Oct.
%, 1893.
The following is the Official letter." and
will explain itself:
THE ALLIANCE IN POLITICS.
To the members of the Farmers Alliance
and Industrial Union of this State
Farmers and Workmen:
Greeting.
Owing to the Indifference Of our officials
In the national, congressional state, county
and municipal offices to matters pertain
ing to the interests of the agricultural
classes this great society of agriculturiSts
representing 80, 0OO members in the .Norln-
west, has determined to take and active in
terest in all matters pertaining to the farm
er'S interests.
At the convention held at st. Paul last
January the Alliance decided upon a GER
tain line of action, wherein they will in
future look after their interests by demand
ing from all candidates pledge" that they
Will advocate and vote for the measures
which our organization indorses or will
refuse to support such candidates with our
votes for any Office.
You are therefore requested to present
the enclosed circular letter to EVERY
CANDIDATE IN YOUR LOCALITY
County or town and have him give you
his attitude upon the bills and recommended
lions which our society advocates, and send
IN the answer with their own signature to
this office, so that can send out a cor
rect report to all our members.
Farmers should band themselves together
and demand from all political parties that
a FARMER be nominated to legislative
offlces to represent agricultural districts
Do not permit your agricultural locality to
be represented by bankers, lawyers. mer-
chants or representatives of corporations
This has been the misfortune of the farm
ers in the past. Do not contribute to your
own destruction in future
1t is only in this systematic non par
t1san, effective way that we can hope to
nave the interests of farmers ever
receive the proper consideration which their
vast interests deserve Will you help in this
movement? If SO, pass this letter TO your
nelghbOr and abide by the recommended Ons
of our society. This kind of cooperation
VIII remove the ruinOus effects of blind
political partisanship which unfortunately
has arrayed one farmer against the other
in the past and neutralized and destroyed
the strength and influence of our great So
ciety. BY this means it will make no diff
ference which political party candidate
wins, the demands of our alliance Will win.
as no candidate would be so short sighted
as to incur the active hostility of the farm
ers in the country districts, nor the work
fngmen of the cities. This arrangement will
| enable each member to vote the ticket of
his own political faith for all candidates
| who have pledged to support the interests
of tho farmers and workingmel.
Now We must ask you call a meeting
| of your neishbors and organize a local al
! lance and be prepared to give this plan
the widest ard most effective operation.
Write to this office for any informa ton
which you may need and it will be cheer
fully given
You are requested not to offend an farm
| err by engaging in hostile political discus
| Sions. Leave that to political parties. Poll
tics weakened our organization before don't
let it do again