The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-31
The Messemgm.
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE

THE FARM ALLIANCE
The Farmers State Alliance has a
a remarkable history. 1t began in
great activity and force, and fiourished
finely until it got under the deadly
night-shade of rotten politics. Its de-
cay then set in. But in spite Of serious
setbacks, and many miscarriages polit-
ically it has managed to survive, great
" shorn of proportions and with most
Of it's influence gone The last meeting
recently held moved out with some
thing of renewed ardor 1t elected the
following officers: ". a. Graham,
president; ]. T. Paschal, vice-presi-
dent; T. B. Parker, secretary and
treasurer; ]. C.. Balm, of Cumberland,
lecturer; J.. NJ. Mitchell of Wayne, as
sistant lecturer; Professor JnO. Ora
ham and J.. w. Denmark were elected
on executive committee.
MI. c.. H. Poe. the present editor Of
the Progressive Farmer, says Of the
politics of the new officials:
Il never care to refer to the politics
OF alliance officials, as such matters
are not considered in their selection.
but to show the falsity Of the preju-
dice Of some, it may be well to say that
the president and trustee, the Secre-
tary-treasurer, and state business
agent, and assistant lecturer are all in
fiuential democratic farmers, while the
remaining officers are filled by wide
awake farmers and educators, belong
ing to other parties or none. The pre-
judice against the alliance IS rapidly
dying out and the outlook for re-organ-
iZatiOn is very bright Democrats,
pOpulists, Prohibitionists and Republic
cans attended the state meeting"
The thing to do is learning from bit
ter experience to keep down and out
all politics. The moment it turns poll
tician then discOrd and trouble begin.
There is no doubt that a farmers al
lance j~udiciousIy. fairly and patrioti-
caIIy managed, can do good. The Mes
senger wishes it we'll in all proper eff
forts to benefit the state, the great
farming class, and all that concerns the
higher and nobler interests of the
state. We cannot say that its move
ment for compulsory education is wise,
although with certain editors and
teachers it is decidedly popular. We
have not been able to see our way to
favor a movement hat leans so much
to aggressive, offensive paternalism-
that seeks to invade the homes already
too much violated by a Paul-Pry sys-
tenn of government. 1t will come for
the south is extremely slavish in CATCH
ing on to northern ideas of many kinds,
and among them forcing all white chill
dren by law to go to school. As yet
we cannot throw up our hat and say,
"pO If with a TIch' Tho alliance
adopted the following resolutions con-
corning education:
Resolved, That the Legislature Of
North Carolina be and hereby is, Pc
titiOned
1st. To levy a special tax, under ar
tlcle 9, section 3, of the state constitu-
ton, sufficient to run our public schools
for four months, and that in addition
the special appropriation of $780, 600 be
continued.
2. To appropriate a sum sufficient
for the support of the state university,
the agricultural and mechanical COL
lege, and the state normal and indus
trial college upon a permanent basis
such appropriation to enable free tu-
ton in those Institutions 20 be offered
to every white student in North Caro-
lima.
). To enact such laws as will compel
the attendance of all children, between
the ages of Z and Is upon the public
schools"
The Messenger is distinctively favor
able to generous appropriations for ed
ucatiOn, primary or higher, and be-
lieves the whole state school system
from foundation to turret SHOULD be am
ply sustained. 1t is just as wrong, just
as oppressive, just as unreasonable to
tax us to send a half dozen poo chill
dren to the common schools as it is to
tax us % cents or less, per mum to
send some ingenious, hungry, g
youth painting after higher advantages
in learning, to the noble university.
Sustain better than ever before the
public schools and make ample provf-
sion for all the, other state schools.
Editor Poe writes us:
THE alliance askes the cooperation
of the press, and l feel that the order
desires it. If the alliance benefits and
.uplifts North Cardinals country pop
ulation. all classes, and the
by no means least, will be greatly ben
fitted. Certainly, neither the alliance
membership, nor the alliance officials
representing most literally the demo-
cratic party, nor the alliance newspa-
per organ, is subject to the charge of
partiSanship of a few years ago. I
would greatly appreciate it if you
would write me your views regarding
reorganization"
RRNAN,S SDEECrI ITO n0nIrr -