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About The farmers' alliance. (Lincoln, Nebraska) 1889-1892 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1890)
Ay Ay A "THERE IS NOTHING WHICH IS HUMAN THAT IS ALIEN TO ME." Terence. VOL.L LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, SATURDAY, JAN. 18, 1890. NO. 31. in i Notice to Subscribers. EXPIRATIONS. As the easiest and cheapeBt means of noti iyin subscribers -of the date of their expira ions we will mm, this notice with a blue or red pencil, cna the date at which their sub scription expires. We will send the paper two weeks aiter expiration. If not renewed by that time it will be discontinued. Subscribe for the F -00- THE TAMERS' OWH PAPER! -00- STagniflcent Premiums 1 -00- 'Tnc Alliance has been started as the official organ of the Nebraska "State Parrners' Alliance. It has already taken a high place among the papers of the country, and is gaining patron age which promises to make it a bril liant success. It will be conducted SOLELY IK THE INTEREST OF THE FARM ERS AND LABORING MEN OF THE STATE AND NATION. J. BURROWS, its Editor, is Chairman off the Ex- ecutive Committee of ers' State Alliance- He the Farm has had long experience in newspaper work. lie will bring to his aid a,ble men in differ ent spheres of thought, and will make Tue Alliance one xf the ablest .pa pers in the west. MR. THOMPSON, the Associate Ed itor, is Secretary of the Nebraska State Alliance. The Alliance will he absolutely FEARLESS AND UNTRAMMELED in the discussion of all public ques tions. It accepts no patronage from railroads or corporations, and its edi tors have no free passes. NO MONEY WILL BUY THE OPINIONS OF THIS PAPER. THE ALLIANCE will be found in the front ranks of the opposition to all trusts and combinations to throttle com petition, and extort from the producers and laborers the lion's share of the f ruits of their toil. We shall advocate the free coinage f silver the same as gold, and its re storation to its old time place in our currency; The issue of all. paper money direct to the people on land security, and an increase of its volume proportioned to increased production ana population; Government ownership of railroads; The U. S. postal telegraph; The restriction of land ownership to the users of laud, 4tnd its reasonable limitation; The exclusion ot alien landlords: 'The electfou of U. S. Senators by a ' direct vote of the people; And all other reforms which will inure to the benefit of the Farmers and Workingmen. Now Brother Farmers and "Working men, it remains for you to prove that ' the often-made assertion that you will not stand bv your own friend3, is false. "We appeal to you for support. Give us your support and we will give you a grand paper. Every member of the Alliance, and every Farmer, should make the suc cess of this paper HIS OWN INDI VIDUAL CONCERN. We want an agent in every Alliance in ih e North. " Terms, Single Subscriptions $1.00 per yea;,' invariably m adyance; or, Five yearly Subscriptions Four Dollars. Canvassers wanted. SEE OUR MAGNIFICENT PRE MIUM. OFFER in our advertising columns. All kinds of Job Work Promptly and neatly executed at rea sonable prices. Particular attention given to Alliance work. Address, Alliance Pub. Co., Lincoln, Neb. Excited. Spaniards. London, Jan. 12. Madrid was kept in a ferment cf excitement all day by repeated Tumors of the young king's death. Many believed that the monarch had really papeed away and that tbe announcement of the fact was being concealed for state reasons. Euch things are not unknown to hietory, and if ever a government was jus tified by the situation in hesitating to pro claim trie demise of a ruler the present re gime in Spain is certainly in such a po&ition. The reports of hostile coalitions and plots are almost too numerous to te counted and weighed. The republicans, though as a matter of fact they are Icfb active than the partisans of Don Carlos, are bearing- the brunt of general suspicion. An outrage committed u;on the passengers of a railway train haviDg been attributed to them, th-sir leaders have found it advis able to issue a statement formally denyinsr the truth of the charge and explaining that the perpetrators of the crime were banditti, who for some reason best known to themselves probably out of Bheer malignity boasted that they were repub licans and that the offense was not an or dinary felony, but the outcome of a politi cal conspiracy. The affair, trivial in itself, gives some indication ot the restless and apprehensive state of the public mind in the peninsula. i . Alfred Samuelson of Clay Center, who returned to Lis home frfm the in sane asylum some months! ago, was . again taken to the asylum lafct week. AM ERS ALLIANCE Proceedings of the Nebraska State Alli ance, at its Ninth Annual Meeting, Held &t Grand Island, Nel-, J an uary7th and 8th, 1890. Jan 7, Morning Session Called to order y Prest. J. II. Powers, in the hall of the Knights of Pythias, Prayer by the Chaplain. On motion Bro. O. W. Clark of Furnas Co., was appointed . Assistant Secretary; John Civason of Hall Co., JJoor Keeper; W. J. Holley of Furnas Co., Assistant Dour Keeper. On motion Bros. &tanley,of Hamilton, jKeister, of Boone, Hetherington of Gage, Vaughn f Otoe, and and McRey-i nolds of Clay, were appointed a Com mittee on Credentials. The credentials showed seven hundred and fifty-six delegates in attendance, and many additional delegates reported, some even on the last day of the meet ing. As the committee could not complete their report for some time the balance of the morning session was devoted to short addresses by Bros. Burrows of Gage Co., Wright of Nemaha Co., Hober of Merrick Co., Horn of Hamilton coun ty, and others, after Avhich a recess was taken until 1:30 p. m. Afternoon Session. Called to order at the opera house by Prest. Powers at 1:30. Prayer by Chaplain J. S. Edwards. Short addresses were delivered toy Bro. A. J. Evans, of Custer Co., ami one or two others, after which the Commit tee on Credentials made a partial report. The President now delivered his .an nual address, a synopsis of which will be found in another column. The President appointed E. Van Vran ken, of Hitchcock, S. J. Plym-essex, of Pierce and G. W. Norman, of Chase Co. a Committee on Jurisprudence, provided for by the Constitution, to which all pro posed amendments of the Constitution had to be referred. By Constitutional provision the President is ex-offlcio Chair man of this Committee. The President also appointed a Com mittee oil resolutions," to which all reso lutions were referred. Committee, V. Horn of Hamilton, C. Laraaster of Cass, and G. H. Tuttle of Custer. On motion of Bro. Burrows, Mr.II. R. Eagle, of Chicago, was invited to ad dress the Alliance immediately on the opening, of -the evening tmi&m&,'on mat ters connected with trade. Recess. Evening Session, Called to order at 7:30 p. m., Pres't Powers in ihechair. Pursuant to special order, Mr. H. R. Eagle addressed the Alliance for half an hour, explaining the methods adopted by his firm in dealing direct with con sumers, and making some business pro positions which were very well received. About half an hour more was consumed in - questions by members and explana tions by Mr. Eagle on various subjects of interest connected with the different branches of his trade, and the hour was considered profitably spent. The President now announced jas a special Committee on a request which was submitted by Adams Co., Bros. S. M. Elder, of , Clay E. Henderson, of Platte; W. II. Stone, of Gosper; E. G Bentley, of Gage; and J. L. Mahaflie, of Hall Co. Mr. Burrows, Chairman of the Fxeeu tive Committe, now made a report of the efforts and work of that Committee for the year. It embraced their efforts to obtain farm loans at lower rates, the organization of a central business asso ciation; the securing of an amend ment of the insurance law; the work re lating to the establishment of a State Alliance Insurance Co., and the failure of the attempt to introduce the insur ance work of Dakota into this state; the executive order placing Bro. Powers in the Held as state organizer; the removal of the State Secretary's office to Lincoln, and the establishment of The Alliance newspaper through the efforts of the committee, and the causes which placed it in the hands of Messrs. Burrows and Thompson, and other matters connected with the work which were of much in terest to the Alliance. After this report a special Committee on insurance, consisting of Bros. Bur rows of Gage, Allen of Cass, and Hitch cock of Harlan, were appointed to re port a plan for a Mutual Insurance Co. Without tracing these matters through their various stages Ave will say here that the result of the Executive Com mittee's report was that authority was given to that Committee in fact it was instructed to proceed at once to the organization of an insurance associa tion in connection with the Alliance on the mutual plan, on a system that will give its members a safe insurance at the lowest possible cost. Also instruc tions to open a state agency, in addi tion to the one at Omaha, under a competent superintendent, at some central point having good shipping advantages, for the purpose of promot ing odirect dealing between members of the Alliance and manufacturers. Under these instructions immediate steps will be taken by the Executive Committee to inaugurate both the interprises. Bro. Seeley made a short explanation of the workings of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co., of Grand Island, and several short statements were made by members familiar with it, after which the Alliance adjourned to 8 A. M. Wed nesday morning. Wednesday, Jan. 8 Morning Ses sion Alliance convened at 8 A. M., President Powers in tire chair. Prayer by Chaplain Edwards. The report of th special committee on insurance was now made and adopt ed. Mr. Bowen, of Hamilton Co., made a short address in regard to the unfair treatment of farmer shippers in his county. On motion, and after discussion, it was ordered that a standing Committee, to be known asthe Grievance.Committee be appointed, whose duty it shall be to investigate the grievances of members, and to aid in prosecution when it shall be deemed advisable. It was made the duty of the Executive Committee to de termine what cases should be prosecuted and the amount of money which may be appropriated for that purpose. The annual report of J. M. Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer, was now made, a synopsis f which will be found in another eohanin . , The Chairman of the Executive Com mittee reported that the Auditing Com mittee appointed had. examined the hooks and vouchers of the Secretary- Treasurer, and had found the same cor rect. On motion $250 was added to the sal ary of the .Secretary for the ensuing year, and fifty dollars was donated to him, it being considered that he should have been paid that amount in addition to what he was paid for the past year. On motion it was also ordered, after discussion, that the Executive Commit tee be authorized to pay for necessary clerical help in the Secretary's office. report of state agentroot. State Agent Root made a verbal report of the business and operations of his of fice, which Was accepted. It showed that Mr. Root had been earnest and zeal ous for the good of the Alliance, and that while having many diflicuties to en counter, he had been successful in ac complishing much good. Afternoon Session Vice-President Clark in the chair. On motion, the Alliance proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year. The election resulted as follows: President, John H. Powers. Vice-President James G. Clark, of Cass Co., declining re-nomination, Bro. V. Horn, ? of Hamilton Co., was elected Vice-President. . Secretary Thompson was nominated for re-election, and was unanimously elected. The following named gentlemen were unanimously elected as Executive Com mittee for the year 1890: J. Burrows, Chairman; B. F. Allen, of Cass Co.; Albert Dickinson, of Sher man Co., Frank H. Young, of Custer Co.; John W. Williams, of Gage Co. Lecturer, W. F. Wright, of Nemaha Co. Chaplain, Rev. J. S. Edwards, of Saun ders Co. Doorkeeper, D. W. Barr, of Clay Co. Ass't. " Jas. Underhill, of Otoe. Sargeant-at-Arms, Joseph Billingsley, of Buffalo Co. resolutions Land. 1. We are opposed to land monoply in every form. We demand that all un earned land grants be restored to the government and held for actual settlers. We believe that every citizen should have the right to the use of 80 acres of agricultural land free from all taxation and execution for debt; and that lands in excess .of that amount should be taxed cumulative, until the holding of lands for speculative purposes shall be impos sible. Money. 2. We demand the prompt payment of the public debt as fast as it becomes due; and we protest against refunding or maintaining any part of the same in existence to afford a basis for the issuing of money. And we also protest against the use of municipal, state or corporate bonds for the same purpose, as being a return to an unsound system, and de mand that the government issue its full legal tender money in sufficient volume to transact the business of the country on a cash basis. Transportation. 3. We demand that the next legisla ture of this State shall enact a law fix ing rates of transportation no higher than those now in force in Iowa, which have been voluntarily accepted by the Iowa roads. And Ave also demand that all discrimination in the furnishing of cars, elevator sites and privileges, and all facilities for shipping products, shall absolutely cease, so that all citizens shall have equal rights in these matters. We also demand that the Government shall take possession of the Union Paci fic road under mortgage foreclosure, and operate the same in the interest of the people; and we favor government ownership of all railroads and tele graphs. . Taxation. 4. That we are opposed to granting bounties or subsidies by either state or government to any corporation or indi vidual. That we favor the placing of salt, coal, iron, sugar and lumber, and all raw material upon which labor may be employed, upon the free list; and be lieve that taxation should be imposed upon the luxuries instead of the neces saries of life. .t Australian Ballot System. 5. We are unqualifiedly in favor of the method of voting known as the Aus tralian system; and we demand of our next legislature the enactment of a law for the establishment of that system in the state of Nebraska, without any re strictions or modifications that will im pair its efficiency." Alliance Papers. 6. That every Alliance member should heartily support The Farmers' Alliance, our State paper, and encour age non-AUiance'men to introduce said paper in their homes, together with all Alliance papers, and papers published in our interest, j ... , Co-operative Committee. 7. That the Executive Committee and the officers of ;; State Alliance take measures to form a District Co-operative Committee, composed of representatives from the States of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois Dealing in Options and Futures. 8. That this Alliance demands that the present Congress shall pa,ss penal and restrictive lawl to prevent the deal ing in options in wpeat, corn, and pro visions, or any ki nit of gamblingin agri cultural products jon . so-called Boards of Trade. ; I Recess. f. Evening Session Convened at 8. P. M., Pres't Powers in the chair. The farst business of the evening ses sion was the reception of a committee of the citizens of Grand Island, headed by Major Piatt. The gentlemen called to apologize to the Alliance for the appar ent want of courtesy of the Grand Island people in not before extending any hos pitality to the delegates. Their apolo gies were very ample indeed; and if apologies would amend for the absolute neglect which the delegates at first en countered, the amende was certainly sufficient. Speeches were made by May or Piatt and Ex-Lieut. Gov. Abbott, and a response was made by Bro. Burrows, who by honeyed words endeavored to assuage the chagrin and vexation of the Mayor and his committee. After they retired the Alliance indulged in a broad smile, and resumed it regular husiness. The Committee on jurisprudence re ported several important amendments to the coiwtiuthyrl'lrMch were adopted with some trfling modifications. The State Secretary will have the amended constitutions printed and ready for de livery in a very short time. The amend ments will be found in another column. . A eordial invitation was received from the Knights of Labor of Grand Is land to join with them in a meeting, which was as cordially accepted. On motion, it was recommended that the next annual meeting be held at Lin coln. On motion, a vote of thanks to Pres't. Powers for the able and impartial man ner in which he had performed the duties of presiding officer, was adopted. A similar vote was extended t5 all the other officers, and the Alliance then ad journed sine die, after a very harmon ious and useful session. REPORT OF SECRETARY THOMPSON. We give below an abstract of the re port of State Secretary Thompson, omit ting those portions relating to the organization which it is not thought advisable to give to the general public. In presenting my report for the past year I must offer an apology for its incompleteness. Owing to the increased labor of the office during the month of December it has been impossible, to find time for a complete classification of the records. At the meeting of the executive com mittee in February it was recognized that the Alliance was going to becomo the strong organization among the far mers societies of the state, and meas ures looking toward better and more complete organization were decided upon. The state president was authorized to go into the field personally and take charge of the work, visiting the various counties and not only organize local Alliances, but provide for further or ganization by commissioning deputies for the counties visited. By the first of May over 150 local Alliances had been chartered and the secretary's time was fully occupied in answering inquiries, supplying the organizers and other office work. At the meeting of the state, executive committee, held May 3, when the de cision was made looking to the estab lishment of an official state paper, it was made a part of the conditions on which the paper was to be established that the headquarters of the state sec retary be changed to Lincoln. Conse quently on June 1st the office was trans ferred from Underwood to Lincoln, and the first issue of the state organ appear ed June 12th, as published bv the Alli ance Publishing Co., with II. G. Armi tage editor. Up to this time much of the organiza tion had been cautined to the western part of the state; but we now made ar rangements for work in the eastern counties : Saunders, 5 Otoe, Polk, Platte, Butler and later Saline, Rich ardson and others were visited in turn by the state president or other workers, ami an interest awakened, resulting in largely increasing the membership and greatly strengthening our fighting ca pacity, if you please, and extending the Alliance influence in all narts of the state. By reference to my books I find that 450 Alliances have been chartered, and four charters reissued during the yuan jf cm . x ne year ueiore us promis es to be one of greater activity than that we have just left behind. J. ne plan adopted the past vear of keeping the president of the State Alii .1J.1V.C m uj iieiu 10 assise in organiza tion is unquestionably a good one and &11UUIU ue continued. ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT POWERS. Dear Friends and Brothers of the Alliance: It is with sincere pleasure and heartfelt gratitude to God that I greet you here today. One year ago a few compared to the meeting of today, met to compare their feelings of discour agement, and their vague hopes for the future. Everywhere those who tried to do something in the cause were met with the accusation "You have some Political Axe togriid"or "you are trying to break down our Political Party," and so potent were these scare -crows that the majox--ity of farmers looked with suspicion on our movement, though they were forced to acknowledge the purity of our pub lished principles. It was felt and acknowledged by all that some new departure must be made, some new measures instituted to rouse the people,and some enterprise inaugur ated that could offer some definite and tangible means of relief to the laborer from the financial burdens which were pressing him down to bankruptcy and ruin. It was determined to place an organ izer in the field to vieit the different counties in the state as rapidly as prac ticable, encourage the work where it was begun, and begin it in those that had as yet taken no steps forward, and as soon as possible to deputize an effici ent worker in each county. It-was also thought wise to attempt some method of co-operation in selling the products of the farms, and in pur chasing needed supplies. During the previous year successful attempts had been made in some local ities in the state to ship and sell the products of the farms by the farmers or agents employed by them, also in pur chasing coal, oils, lumber, salt, etc., by the same means. This encouraged members of Alliances situated near Han sen in Adams County to form a Joint Stock Association and incorporate under the laws of the state. Pres't Powers gives here a brief re view of the origin of the State Alliance Business Association with recommen dations in regard to future action which were in the main adopted by the meet ing. We condense for want of space. J The adoption of some economical and safe plan for Mutual Insurance I think is very desirable. It should be confined to members of the Alliance and be under their complete control. The relation of the Alliance to political action is a subject on which there seems to be unhappily, differences of opinion. And 1 think instead of trying to ignore this fact, we ought rather" by free and full discussion to try and arrive at cor rect conclusions, and thus obtain a willing and complete cO-operation of all our members. Without this we can never succeed in accomplishing any permanent and satisfactor3r reform. Complete co-operation in wisely plan ned business enterprises, may do some thing, aye perhaps a great deal,towards equalizing the burdens which our laws and the lack of righteous laws compel the honest and industrious masses of our people to bear, but the burdens will still remain. And one of the chief aims of the Alliance is to effect a re moval of these burdens. No business that involves trade of commodities on any large scale can be transacted without money. And so Jong as a few men have the legal right to, or are not restrained by law from, monop olizing the whole business of furnishing the money for the wages of labor, and the transactions of trade, and fixing the price or rate of interest on the same, so long will the products of our industries go to build up the great centers of com merce at the expense of the whole country, and to increase the unearned fortunes of the rich by steadily and surely robbing the poor of their earn ings, and the honest industries of their just rewards. The railroad cor porations too are continually using the immense advantage which accrues from holding all the avenues through which trade is carried on in this country.and es pecially in this state,with the almost un restrained privilege to tax the business of transmitting the products of our people at their will, and are thus sapping our prosperity and hastening our ruin. These must be restrained and complete ly controlled by law. But Ave cannot expect to obtain the enactment just Lows by passing a feAv resolutions, or signing and presenting petitions. Experience has taught us that our resolutions are looked upon as safety valves for our excited feelings, and our petitions have been rejected Avith scorn. "We've prayed our servants to be just; We tell them now, they must, they must. The tyrants grapple by our Aote. We'll loosen from the laborer's throat. With Washington we here agree. The vote's the weapon of the free." But here again, as in business matters, Ave are met by obstacles which seem almost impossible to surmount. Some say "Work in the old parties which already have obtained a place a'nd influence in national affairs." Others say "Let us combine our en tire strength on some one of the new parties which haAe been founded on. a platform of reform." And yet others "We must form a neAv partv on the principle of equal rights for all." We have faithfully tried voting with the old parties lo! these many years, and although in some localities one has been triumphant and in other places the opposite; and although they have jointly or severally controlled congress, or filled the executive chair, the result has always been the same, the foster ing of the rich at the expense of the poor and the sacrifice of principle for polit ical success. We have attended caucus es, and have found that they Avere often packed by corrupt politicians; have entered conventions and found that the money of dishonest corporations had been effectually used to blind the dele gates to their duty, and to blunt their sense of right, and to cause them to disregard their promises to act for the public good. And have finally gone to the polls and voted for men in whom we had no confidence, solely to defeat the nominee of the other Party, who probably deserved none. Neither of the two old parties were formed on issues which hav e anv existence today, nor do they seem willing to commit themselves to the principles of equal rights Avhich the interests of the people demand. But otherparties exist. Why not vote Avith some one of them, Avhiehis formed on some great central idea of moral re form, or on some pure platform for political guidance? Phis too has been tried. But it has been found that peo ple have not confidence ,.. that the declared central moral principle of a party is right and just is a sufficient guaranty that the Government in other matters Avould be conducted by them to the advantage of the people, or in the interests of humanity. Nor does the formation of a neAv party on the broadest general principles of righteousness' and truth secure the per manent triumph of these principles in the Government, even though it should speedily and uniformly be supported by a majority of the votes of the people. The underlying principle of our whole political system tends to loster corrup tion in the means used for success, and induce the most vicious results, though founded on a platform as comprehen sive as the Decalogue, and as pure as the Golden Rule. That principle, that the majority of a party have the, right to control and coerce the votes of the majority, is destructive of the very first and dearest of our rights as free men; and from it naturally follows the cor ruption and prostitution of every polit ical party that is strong enough to succeed, or has a prospect of success. A political party consists of all those who vote for the nominees of the party. And although at first they may comprise only such as conscientiously hold to its platform of principles, a prospect of success always attracts the unprincipled politician arid the Aenal trafficker in votes, and by their influence and Avire pulling the platform is manipulated Avith the sole object of catching- votes, and the caucuses and comentions put up to the highest bidder, Avhich soon changes the party from purity to cor ruption, and arrays all its strength and influence on the side of the greedy cap italists and the oppressive and heartless corporations. Then again, it seems to of become an inseparable part of our par tisan political system to vilify and abuse the members of all other parties, and thus a Avail of rm?judiee and dislike is built up, Avhich effectually prevents the success of new political parlies, unless they are immediately thrust into power by some sudden and mighty convulsion oi -popular feeling. Political success can only be obtained by a majority of votes, and the rash projecting of new parties is usually attended by such an offensive attitude toAvard other parties as to cause their partisans to bristle Avith opposition, like the attacked porcupine, and to render their Yanks as inA'ulner able as the ancient' Grecian Phalanx. - We must haAT?7rbvtter ioriticat system of nominating and Aoting, so that nom inations may be made -'without party conventions, and have equal advantages of legal protection, and so that Ave may have in deed Avhat Ave noAV haAe onlj in name, a Secret Ballot. :.'"-' It seems to me that the only plan which is feasible, consistant Avith our principles and sure to sucoeed is to fix on a few clearly defined principles, so just that they will commend themselves to all lovers of justice.so comprehensive that they can be applied practically to all the affairs of law and government, and to systematically and thoroughly discuss them until all our ovn mem bers and all those Avho may be influen ced by them are brought to thoroughly understand and adopt them. Then if Ave are true to our pledges success Avill be invertable and permanent, and our class and country will be redeemed. Without this preparation, any seeming success must end in disaster and defeat, and in the end lead the .more speedily to anarch' and confusion. The growth of our order is steadily and rapidly going forward, but much yet remains to be accomplished. I would respectfully recommend that measures should be adopted, not only that the Avork may be introduced speed ily into every precinct in the state; but also that every organized county may be frequently visited by competent lec turers Avho by suitable addresses shall stir up the membership to renewed zeal, and instruct them more perfectly in the free principles of the Alliance. The subsidized newspaper press is one of the most potent means used, and is relied on by the monied corporations and capitalists to mislead the people as to their true interests, and thus to effec tually oppose the successful maintain ance of their rights and the triumph of justice and truth. This mischevious inllueuce can be most certainly and successfully opposed by able and reliable newspapers, Avhich by persistently advocating the truth, and exposing the sophistries of error may fortify the people in the right and accomplish much towards the salvation of our commonwealth. - To this end the local county papers Avhich have espoused our cause should reeerve the generous support of our members. But especially our State Organ, The Alliance should be taken by every alliance family, and so far as possible be introduced to every fireside in the state. Mr. Burrows, the editor m chief, has been a leader in the move ment ever since the first attempt at or ganization in the state; and his ability and devotion to true Alliance principles are second to none in the country. His assistant, Mr. J. M. Thompson, our present Secretary, is also an able Avriter, and an earnest Avorker in our cause, and Avorthy of our implicit com fidence. t , Let us by a generous and efficient support enable them to make the paper a mighty engine for urging forward the car of reform, and accomplishing the redemption of our state and nation. The question of consolidating our Nat ional Alliance with the National Alli ance and Industrial Union is one that should receive our serious consideration. And, though the reckless expenditure of money Avhich seems to prevail in their organization, and the high salaries paid to so many officers Avould seem, to dictate prudent consideration before Ave ! commit ourselves to an organic union, Ave snouia certainly strive to accom plish full and hearty co-operation in business enterprises and political action and influence, and also as soon as it shall appear to be safe and expedient to form a more perfect union. . Some feAv amendments seem to bo necessary to adapt our constitution to the immense increase of our member ship. The basis of representation in, the State Alliance should bo increased, as a full delegation on the present basis would form so large an assembl, as to bo very expensive and too uinvh hliy for efficieut deliberation and discussion. I Avouid suggest that perhaps to return the plan which Avas first adopted by our Alliance, of representation to the Slato Alliance from the County Alliances, in stead of Subordinate, might Ik found tho best means to remove-' the difficulty. Some slight changes would seem to bo desirable in other points, but none so necessary as the one mentioned. I would not recommend the adoption of the usual long Resolutions that are expected of such assemblies. We are organized for action; and our best influence can be exerted by quietly forming and maturing our plans. m that they shall be made known !v re sults, rather than declarations. Earnest and frank discussion of such method. and means as are deemed best to secure the sitccess of wise plans, should I think, be the business of this meeting. In conclusion, let me bespeak from you a hearty co-operation w ith me, in earnest endeavors to make this meeting; of our Alliance a success; not only by the exercise of courtesy and kiuuncs towards each other, but also by tho earnest effort of each member to make all our plans, and all our deliberations, conduce to the one great end, the vindi cation of the rights of the farmers and laborers. Let us consider that to a great extent it depends on us whether our children shall bo sovereigns or scrfa;whether our homes shall remain our own. or pass, into the hands of legalized robbers; iui Avhether the civil rights which w ere queathed to us by our fathers shall tx perfected and perpetuated, or swallow ed up by tyranny, and destroyed by oppression. Let us remember, too, that God sits on the throne of the Universe, ami that without His aid our best efforts will Ik? iu vain; and that those av ho trust in Him shall mever be put to shame. Invoking, then His blessing, and relying on Ilis. assistance, let us one and all press, right on through all discouragements, and opposition that mat lieset our paths. Let the love of our families, our homes and our country impel us to zealous and persevering ef forts, and Ave shall succeed, justice shall triumph, equal rights sliall b estab lished, and true liberty, now so obscured by oppression, shall appear in pristine beauty, cherished in our government and shrined in the hearts of 'th people, as enduring as time, and as tirm as tin; eA erlasting hills. A FREE ADVERTISEMENT FOR PaxtoiK& Gallagher. We publish the following letter from Paxtoir&-Gallagher, wholesale grocers of Omaha, to one of their customers in Nebraska. The letter explains itself: PAXTON & GALLAGHER, GROCERS. Omaha, Dec. 2(5, 183V. II. C. Creech, Esq., Oak, Neb. Dear Sir: Wc have jiM U vn in formed for the first time that you are operating a grange store. This being the case, Ave cannot fill any more order from you, as much as we would like to do business with you. If the informa tion Ave have received is not right, please let us hear from you. Truly yours, .PAXTON & GALLAGHER. The following reply was sent: Asu Alliance, Dec. 2:. lsU. Paxton & Gallagher. Sirs-. Your letter Avas presented to Ash Alliance, numbering fifty members, and they passed a resolution that they would not patronize you or any mer chant that bought goods of you. Signed by Secretary and President. The above letters were read at the State Alliance meeting at Grand Island before seven hundred and fifty delegates from all parts of the state, and excited much interest and attention. Beside that, Ave insert it this week in ten thous and cojues of the Farmers' Alliance. Copies of the edition will go into every Alliance, and every town and hamlet in the state. It is safe to nuy that Paxton & Gallagher, Avholesale grocers of Oma ha, never before had so extensive an advertisement for nothing. We shall be delighted to extend the same cour tesy to any other Avholesale grocers who Avrite the same kind of letters t. Alli ance or Grange storekeepers. On tho other hand, Avholesale grocers md others Avho are Avilling to deal direct with granges will find our latch siting out We do not make anv reeomendathms as to the treatment of Paxton & Galla gher. It H to le presumed that they do not Avant the patronage of men they refuse to sell to, s naturally the "seals' will not run their feet off to- find mer chants who sell Paxton & Gallagher's goods. The Farmers' Alliance is the let advertising medium west of the Missis sippi river. Send in your ads. gentle men. The Storm's Work. Olkky.IH., Jan. 1. At the village ct Machburg Sunday night, a cjclone over turned dwelling1 houses, barns and out buildings and wrought great damage. The house of Pblllii. Nicholson wan destroyed and Mrs. Nicholson was Instantly killed nd her daughter seriously injured. Aaron MoWllliams and family of seven were caught in the wreck of the house and two chiidrea sustained serious injuries. The M. E. church and parsonage were de stroyed. Quails aud other fowls were found dead stripped of their feathers. Many large trees were up-rooted Eighty acres of land in Dodge county has been advertised for sale for taxes for the sum of 1 cent per acre, cr 80 cents. Said land was appraised at $21.