People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1896 — NATIONAL FARMERS' ALLIANCE [ARTICLE]

NATIONAL FARMERS' ALLIANCE

Important Meeting of Agriculturist* Being Held at Washington. Washington, Feb. 4. — The National Farmers' Alliance and Industrial union met Tuesday at the National hoteL Each state is entitled to from one to two delegates and nearly every state is fully represented. J. F. Willetts of Kansas is president of the alliance and D. P. Duncan of South Carolina secretary. While the leaders of the alliance have long held that the organization is nonpolitical, it is understood great pressure is being brought to bear to have resolutions adopted which, will bring the alliance as a body into the financial fight, arraying the order on the silver side. It is claimed by delegates that the alliance is stronger than ever before in its history. It is in fine shape financially as well as in numerical strength. While the sessions are conducted behind closed doors, and the delegates are instructed to maintain secrecy, many of the delegates are known to favor joining forces in the coming elections with an independent party made up of the silverites and the populists. They say the farmers of the country should vote so as best to support the principles of the alliance, with the government issue of currency as the “keystone of the faith,” and free silver next.