People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1895 — INDUSTRIAL LEGION. [ARTICLE]

INDUSTRIAL LEGION.

Organization That WHI Rally the Reform Forces In 1896. The annual meeting of the National Industrial Legion was held at Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 22, at the same time as the meeting of the Reform Press Association. The address of Commander Van Dervoort, published in last week’s; i i**ue, was a grand effort. It was received with unbounded enthusiasm and applause. The work which Gen. Van Dervoort has done and the obstacles he has overcome entitle him to great credit. He believes that the legion should be the one great organization that will unite and lead the reform forces to victory. Nothing can be accomplished except through organization. The more thorough and compact the organization the more effefctive it is. The legion passed a resolution tendering its thanks to Gen. Van Dervoort for his untiring and unselfish devotion to its | work. The reform press did the same , and pledged its hearty support in the , future.

The no* officers of the legion are: Commander-in-chief, Gen. Paul Van Dervoort, Omaha, Neb.; vice-command-er, Frank Burkitt, Okolono, Miss.; adju-tant-general, J. A. Egerton; quarter-master-general, Milton Park, Dallas, Te**a; sentinel, W. S. Morgan, Hardy, Ark.; executive council, Geo. F. Washburn, Boston, Mass.; A. Rozelle, Tarkio, Mo.; J, W. Moaker, Denver, Colo.; Rev. J. W. Botkin, El Dorado, Kan.; Thos. V. Cator, 212 Sanford street, San Francisco, Cal. It will be seen that some of the oldest and best workers in the People's party are officers in the legion. It has time and again been indorsed by the national committee, and now stands indorsed by the Reform Press Association. We see no reason why it should not be the great organization of the reform forces. Now is the time to push the work of organization. At the state legion in Arkansas over SI,OOO was raised for the campaign of 1896. The plan adopted for raising funds in that state is shown in the following circular which is being circulated by the legions in every county: APPEAL TO THE POPULISTS OF

ARKANSAS. At a meeting of the State legion of Arkansas, held in Little Rock, Ark., Jan. 15, 1895, the proposition was submitted to those present that a paper be circulated over the state, asking that each Populist subscribe funds for the campaign of 1896 equal in amount to the taxes he pays for one year. Said sum to be paid to Thomas Fletcher, chairman of the state central committee between now and July 1, 1896. The object of this movement is to begin at once the campaign of 1896, and prosecute the work of education. The first paper was circulated among those present and over SI,OOO was subscribed; every dollar of which is good and part of which was paid in at that time. Brethren, this fight is being waged for the common weal of all. Experience has demonstrated that we cannot succeed without organization. We cannot have organization without funds. This appeal is based on every one’s ability to pay.

If all respond it will give us a fund to prosecute such a campaign as was never known in this state. The enemy is divided, distracted and demoralized. Our people are solid, compact and determined. Let us press the fight. Let us push the organization of the legion. Let us make a brave effort for freedom from a political domination that has spoils for its object, and hesitate not to violate the rights of the people, or the laws of the land, to accomplish its purposes.

Secure all the names you can to the following agreement. Preserve one copy, and send another to Tho 3. Fletcher with whatever money you can collect at the time of taking subscriptions. THE AGREEMENT. We, the undersigned, agree to pay to Thos. Fletcher, chairman of the state central committee, as a campaign fund of the People’s party, by the first day of July, 1896, the amount of our taxes for one year, which is represented by the sum set opposite our names. By this means it is expected that several thousand dollars will be raised to prosecute the campaign in that state. A campaign is poorly conducted that does not have an organization that furnishes the names of the best workers in each and every township in the state. The legion will fill this want, and keep open the lines of communication from headquarters to the remotest corners of the state. Let the work of organization be pressed forward, NOW.