Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-06-22
FARMERS UNION
ENTERS POLITICS
Movement If Projected Will
Cut Material Figure In
Future Campaigns


have lately had their attention direct
ed to the possibility of the Farmers
union going into active politics. While
| it would, perhaps, be putting 1t lit
tie too strongly to say that they are
alarmed over the possibility, it is new
ertheless true that the rapid growth of
the organization is already causing
some uneasiness.
The Farmers union was not organ
lied for political purposes. and the
leaders of the movement insist that
politics will be barred. But this state
ment is not reassuring to the politi-
clans, who remember how the leaders
of the Farmers alliance years ago de-
clared there would be no politicians In
the organization and how. few years
later the alliance played havoc with
the older political parties. There is Q
striking similarity between the new
Organization and the old In their place
of origin, purpose and growth the two
have been almost identical.
Growth of Original Movement.
The first Farmers alliance had its
birth in Lampasas county. Texas, in
1875. The objects of this pioneer ass
ISOLATION were purely local and con-
fined to defense against the depreda-
lions Of cattle and land thieves. The
movement was taken up, however. by
other counties, and in 1886 e Farm
ers' state alliance was formed. Its
declaration of principles included the
education of the agricultural classes
in the science OF economical govern
ment in a strictly nonpartisan spirit"
and the development of a better state
mentally, morally, socially and flnan-
cially."
In the meanwhile organizations OF
farmers were growing up in the adj
/ jacent states. In Arkansas was the
Wheel, so called, which first saw light
in schoolhouse in western Arkansas
is 1882. In Louisiana was the Farm
ers' union. Delegates from the latter
met with delegates from the Texas
Farmers State alliance at Waco, in
1887, and out of the two bodies was
formed the National Farmers Alli-
ance and Cooperative Union OF
America At Meridian, Miss, Dec. s.
4 1888, was held convention between
this organization and the National
Agricultural wheel, and from it was
evolved the Farmers and Laborers
Union of America At the next annual
meetin, held in st. Louis in 1889. the
name of that organization, which had
now spread over the South and a large
part of the West and Northwest, was
changed to the National Farmers al.
] lance and Industrial union, name
by which 1t continued to be known un.
til it's dissolution, some years later, t.
be revived in the Populist party.
Aim of Present Organization.
AS before stated, the origin and his
tory of the Farmers alliance and tn
of striking similarity.
Farmers union present many point
Like the older organization, tn
, Farmers hnion had its origin in Tex
! as. 1t was in Raines county, tina
; state, that 10 men met on August 2s
: 1902 and formed an organization t
J be called the Farmers union. TIL
) objects and aims of the organization
were set forth in the following con
> stitution:
, /. To discourage, as much as pos
sible the present mortgage and credi
system.
2. To assist our members in buyin
and selling.
3. To labor for the education Of tn
agricultural classes in the science Q
crop diversification and scientific cul
ture
4. To constantly strive to secur
entire harmony and good will anon
all mankind and brotherly love anon
ourselves.
S. To form a more adequate unto
with those in authority for a NOR
rigid and impartial enforcement of tn
law, that crime, vice and immoralit
may be suppressed.
6. It would garner the tears of tn
distressed, the blood of the martyrs
the laughter OF innocent children, tn
Z sweat of honest labor and the virtu
of happy home as the brightest jew
els known.
Source of Its Politics.
Z. This is no political party, an
! shall forever abstain from even s
! much as a discussion of partyisn
Yet we do not feel it is right to plac
shackles upon the limbs or a padloc
upon the lips of any one who ma
wish to discuss. for educational pun
poses, the science Of government, Il
upon this rock all important structure
must rest for either mental moral {
/. financial development.
That the members of the union hay
3 seen at TO construe the last claus
Z of the constitution to their own likin
+ is evidenced by the fact that in Mis-
I sissippi and in other states the loci
Z branches are planning for represents
4 tion IN the legislative assemblies