Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1890 — ABOUT THE FARMERS ALLIANCES [ARTICLE]

ABOUT THE FARMERS ALLIANCES

111 a recent issue of the Republican appears an item clipped from the Logansport Journal to the effeci tliat the Farmer’s Alliance is beiiui organized in that section in the interests , of the Democratic, party*, and warning Republican farmers against entering into what the editor pleases to characterize as an unholy alliance. Thinking the article referred to might deter Republicans in this section from becoming members of the Alliance, I wish to say a few words in regard to the matter. Such charges are very common, though it is quite as often said to be a Republican scheme. The order it strictly non partisan and assertions to the contary are made by persons who either are ignorant of the purposes aud workings of the order, or by those who are interested in preventing any organization among farmers. The officers of the Alliance may sometimes make mistakes in appointing organizers. It is not the intention however, to appoint men who are rabid partisans and have more zeal for the success of their particular political party than they have for the order, nor are such men wanted in the order at all. The last election demonstrated the fact that a majority of the farmers :i!v Republicans, and it is quite likely that when all the states are fully organized there will be as mnny Republicans as Democrats in the order and to say the order is being manipulated lii the interests of the Democratic party is to Cast a reflection on the intelligence of the Republican party. dm calling the state organization a Democrate caucus, the editor of the Journal shows his want of information on the subject, or else he willfully prevaricates. It would do such men as the editor of the Journal good to pay twenty -five cents for the National Economist three months and post tnemselves before eondeming the whole organization because of their animosity toward some particular member of it. Now the political phase of the Alliance is about this: It is believed that a large majority of the men sent to make laws for us are honest, aud in legislative matters

do not intentionally favor one class at the expense of the others. Thej T are men, however, who have sought the office for the sake of office and power, prominence, or profit it brings and not because of any very great legislative scheme for the good of whole people, they are anxious to put through. The legislator is nearly always willing to do what a majority of his people want him to do. At any rate he is not apt to do what he knows to be contary to the wishes of a majority of his people. But when he goes to the legislature or to Congress he meets there a large body of professional lobyists who are paid for their work by different organizations, coporrations, or combines of every description. These lobbyists are always ready to help one another for “help in harvest.” They are ail there but the farmers. He, alone has had no organization with men stationed at the capital to continually remind law-makers of his needs. Under these circumstances the average congressman has been led to believe that certain legislation was greatly wanted by the people, because he heard so much in favor of it and never a protest against it. The fanner has been thus neglected rather than intentionally discriminated against.

The Alliance has opened headquarters at Washington and has a committee to look after the welfare of the farmer. This committee, unlike the professional lobbyists, merely presents bills and goes before the proper committees ot congress and explains or defends them. Sometimes, also petitions are sent iu through the Alliance. Nothing is asked for, that will, in any way, prove injurious to auy legitimate business to industry. If congressmen choose to ignore our demands we will quietly “chalk their backs” and endeavor to put good men in their places who will be more attentive to the wishes of the people. It is furthermore quite likely that membersjof the Alliance will refuse to vote for men who favor a silver bill that makes silver certificates legal money for banks to hokkas their reserve and not legal tender in payment of farm mortgages. This is about all tbe politics there is in the Alliance, It is made up of all the different shades ■of political faith of all the different political parties and" we may be assured that if it takes auy polit'cal action.it will be for tbe good of the whole people. The best way to prevent it from becoming partisan is for people of all parties to come in and lay aside partisan prejudice and discuss auy question in regards to its relations ! to tbe people rather than from its ; relation to party platforms. Very Respectfully

J. A. McFarland.

Sec. Jasper Co. F. A & 1. U.