Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1890 — INDIANA FARMERS. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA FARMERS.

They Meet, Organize and Adopt Resolutions. Indiana farmers met in convention, at Indianapolis, on the 19th inst , to organize a State League. All farmers’ organizations in Indiana were represented, the large attendance being something of a surprise even to the delegates. The convention was made up of earnest, intelligent men, keenly alive to their own interests, and capable?, as developments showed, of expressing their ideas in a forcible way. The political significance of the meeting bears chiefly on legislative matters, and the wiser heads openly said they were not convened to threaten any party, but to advance their own interests. The majority present represented the jFarmers’ Alliance, the Farmers’ Mutual Benefit Association, the Grange and other bodies. The delegates declared that they were unalterably opposed to the liquor traffic; demanded that United States Senators be elected by the people; demanded the repeal of the law 7 which authorizes County Commissioners to call special elections for the purpose of voting aid to corporations; demanded the passage of a law making the fees and salaries of county officers proportionate to the amounts similar services and responsibilities would command in the open market; demanded the passage of a law making the legal rate of interest proportionate to rate paid capital invested in agriculture and other productive industries; demanded that the Government should loan its credit directly to the people on land or its products as security, at not to exceed 2 per cent- interest. It was also resolved that there should be a law which will secyre equal and exact justice to all children of the State in the apportionment of the State school revenue; that the public printing should be let to the lowest responsible bidder; that there shall be a change in the law which will secure to the debtor an equitable exemption from taxation against bona fide indebtedness ; favoring the passage of the Butterworth bill by Congress; declaring that the farmers’ organizations 'of Indiana be authorized to select one delegate for every 10,600 or fraction thereof to look after legislation needed; that the free coinage bill should be made a law.

In conclusion, it was resolved, with much enthusiasm, that. Whereas, We can much more certainly and with ~less expense secure such legislation as the condition of our interests demands by placing men in sympathy with our purposes in the halls of Congresst therefore be it Resolved, That we demand of the lead ing political parties that they place such men on their tickets for Representatives and Senators, and that where such nominations ai-e made we pledge them our persistent support, regardless of past political affiliations, and Resolved, further, That when the political parties fail to nominate men identified with our interests by occupation, we deem it our duty and pledge ourselves to nominate such men independently, and strive by all honorable means to their election.