The representative., 1901-06-13
FARMERS ORGANIZE.

FARMERS OHGANlZE.
In this issue of the Representative we
publish the resolutions adopted by the
Farmers Alliance and Grain Growers
association in their joint convention in
Minneapolis June II and II.
The convention was held In the An
drus building, where both associations
met and went into joint session. The
meeting was called to order by P. H.
Rahilly, president of the Farmers AL
lance, who has for many years been
prominent and Jealous in Alliance
work. J. B. Dukes, another old Alliance
worker, was made temporary chair
man.
A brief explanation of the objects Of
the calls for the joint convention was
made by President Rahilly. and the
meeting was then open to a general
discussion of the question, What
Next"
Discussion occupied greater part Of
the morning session and was partici-
pated in by farmers from all parts Of
the state. Members of the convention
were unanimous in declaring the neces-
sity for energetic and immediate organ
ization of the farmers. and nearly all
declared that tho same sentiment ex-
listed among all the farmers with whom
they had talked.
Enthusiastic speeches were made by
T. ]. Meighen, Charles H. Hopkins.
President Rahilly. Hamlin v. Poore,
Haldor E. Boen. ]. B. Dukes, Seth Bot
tomley M. R. Parks. 8. w. Powell, O.
L Brevig and several others, touching
the former work Of the Alliance, and
it's power for good when that associa-
tion was at its zenith. AS a part of the
discussion the mistakes of the old AL
lance, the Grange, the Grain Growers
associations and other farm organiza-
tions, were fully discussed and the sem
timent was general that the past was
full of experience and lessons of great
value in any future work of organiza-
tion that might be undertaken.
The Grange had much to commend
in its social and fraternal features, and
these features had done much to build
up large membership. It's chief mis-
take was launching into mercantile en-
terprises which antagonized the busi-
ness element in all county villages af-
fected by their competition. Grange
stores made the Granger movement un-
popular without returning to the farm
ers any benefit commensurate with the
evils resulting from the consequent
prejudice.
The Farmers Alliance had attained
to greater success, was still national
movement Of Importance throughout
the South, but in the North had COM
mitted itself to the error Of embracing
partisan politics. The Grain Growers
association verged upon the new and
untried. 1t had no mistakes or misde-
meanors charged to it's account It's
purposes in the main were similar to
Its predecessors, but some feared the
name Grain Growers" would mislead
the general public and restrict the
growth of the association within the
limits of strictly grain growing sec
tions.
1t was unanimously agreed that all
farmers of all sections must be enlisted
in the movement and that the inter-
ests of all branches of agriculture were
identical.
These were the arguments brought out
Tuesday morning by the different
speakers while discussing the questions
of whether the old Alliance should be
revived and given new life and power
or whether grain growers society
would be more popular and useful Or
ganizatiOn was the essential-name and
details of the plan of work were the in
cidentals.
This was the decision of the conven-
tion when by vote at the afternoon ses-
sion Tuesday it was decided not to
abandon the old Alliance, but rather to
reorganize and consolidate with those
interested in the Grain Growers move
ment.
The resolutions express the decision
Of the convention in this respect. At
the afternoon session of Tuesday the
Important work Of the convention was
M !. ss .s