Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1874 — The Farmers’ Political Movement in Illinois. [ARTICLE]

The Farmers’ Political Movement in Illinois.

At the recent meeting in Bloomington of the Advisory Committee of the Illinois State _ Farmers' Association, fifty-two counties of the State were represented by over sixty delegates. After considerable discussion a motion that political action be taken this year was unanimously adopted amid tremendous enthusiasm. A Committee appointed to make arrangements for the holding of a State’ Convention shade the following report, which was adopted: The farmers, mechanics and other laboring men, as well aa other citizens of Illinois who believe m declared by the State farmers’ Association at DecStur, on the 18th day of Debar, 1873, that, through the departure from Bed. oar Government, ae founders thereof, and dent exercise of that the freeman, the right of Illinois, ae well aa uses, have by their past system of cun legislation which makes the great majority slavishly subservient to a small minority; that this condition is dettrty traceable to the fostering grotecUon which seconded bjrjaar IIS Import unately'demande'riiat aUAmerican rotor* ih»U attend with care all primary nom-

In at ions and elections, so as to insure the election of competent and honest men to all offices In the gift or the people; that the recent record of the old political parties of this country is suchhs to forfeit the confidence and respect of the people, and that we are, therefore, freed from all allegiance to them, and should act no longer with them; and counties are hereby invited to send delegates in tho proportion of one delegate to every 5,000 Inhabitants and fraction exceeding halt that number, under the census of 1870, to a convention to be held at the State House in Springfield on Wednesday, the 10th day of June, at ten a. m., for thepurpose of nominating candidates for State. Treasurer and Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the transaction of snch other business as may be brought before the convention. In each county where a County Farmers’ Association exists the President of such Association is requested to Immediately call a County Convention of delegates from the various townships or precincts on such basis as, after consultation, he may find most expedient, of the farmers, mechanics, laboring men, and other citizens of said county in sympathy with the opinions expressed in this call, and such convention is requested to appoint delegates to the State Convention, to take such other action as may be necessary to perfect the organization and nominate and elect their candidates. In each county where a County Farmers’ Association does not exist the Vice-President for that district of the Btate Farmers’ Association is requested, in conjunction and consultation with the officers of the Industrial organizations of that county, to call a convention in like manner, for the purpose as aforesaid. Counties will be entitled to representation in the State Convention as above stated on the census of 1870. For example: Adams County, population, according to the census of 1870, 56,416, eleven delegates; Alexander, 10,519, two delegates; Pond, 13,155, three delegates, etc.