Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, January 28, 1891, Page 2

convention sees it to give it to the pub, want it published {n full and not garbled, ftwill bo if we do not give the papers & “1f 1t Is garbled it will bo used against ns by our enemics,”’ continned Mr. Root, who for somo time had been trying o getthe floor. “Youmaenify the enemies, said a dele- “Tliis enes sottled the address, and it went to tho press committee. Onee more the convention got down to busi- ness, and Mr. Groat of Custer county moved thattho chair appoint a committee on resolu- tions A memix The president know of action An amendmer delogate from lowa thought that the should be named by the states. no rule for such tthe dele- ot the merm- endment was riginal motion carried, The president avpointed the following gen- tlemen on the committee: Groatof Nebraska, ch of Ohio, Bates of Iowa and Toole of sconsin, A resolution was read from allianee No. 1,028 of lown, asking that tho convention or a badge. The matter was f Nebrasks, Bulleun of offered th bers of the com defeated and th osigh rred to Dy Missouri and Wright of lowa. An Tllinois delegute arose ton question of privilege. Ho asked to to be allowed to in- troduce the following resolution Resolved, That it fs the wh Tar ‘AL that the | s United 8t he National are of 1lli- Ssenute a nin Wwho 1% and pros pevts of the alllance It was decided to send a telegram tothe alllance members of the llinois legislature to stand fast and not lose courag: Milton George thought it foolish to tele- graph an T1Hnois mou to stand fast. After somo discussion the objectionable words were stricken out and a telegram an- nouncing that a resolution had passed was orgered sent, Another d 15 going on in Kunsas Ploiffer to the genal telegram sent to Topeka, A lady delegate from Kansas asked to speak. She said that while Pleifferis editor of the Kansas Farmer, he is no friend of the farmers, Baker of Towa said the convention had no right, 10 instruct the Kansas logislators how to vote, Aftera lengthy discussion the Kansas reso- lutjon was laid on the table. The report of N. I. Ashby, the National lecturer, was called for. He spoke as fol- d s similar struggle in_the effort to elect He wanted a similar s have every reason to feel hopeful over the strides that the alliance has made during the past ye I have visited the state alli- ances of Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, Towa, Houth Dakota, 1llinois, Nebraska, Pennsy vania, Obio and New York. I found them all healthy and rapidly increasing in mem bership. During the past year we have organized five new states and will soon bring others into line ere long. The alliances are composed of good men and _canaccomplish much good for the furmers. We wani to make honest’ voters and break down the apathy : wo want to cultivate the idea that the al ance is not organized to give men public of- fices. If we do not we will soon beon a par with the oid parties and our members will be as ardent office scckers s the repub- licans and democrats of today. Some of our Allianco men have manipulated county and atate conventions, but 1 will not name them. They think they are capableof controlling the affairs of the government, but I say we donot want to encourage this, Letus keep out of politics, for if wo enter the swim we are bouna to be corrupt. “I now want to speak of finances. 1 regret to say that our orde standard, and it isa lect the dues, “We should have uniformity and adopt some form of private work. While I would not favor an_oath bound society, I would a uniformity of work so that we may be able to recognize one another. “I wanted to givoup the membership of theorder, but I find this impossible, though 1 can say that Nebraska is the banuer state, as It has 2,000 local alliances and 65,000 mem- “ bers; Obio has 700 alliunces and 8,500 mem- bers, while Pennsylvania is doing nobly, owing to tne work of Mr. Morgan. lowa has accomplished many things, but thero yet re- mains much to do. “One thing I can say, the alliance never met under such favorable circumstances as toduy, and now 15 the time for cartying on the-goottwork that we have™ béfore us.” “Since the adjournment of the St. Touis convention 1 have been industriously work- ing to form a co-operative union, and on Feb- ruary 191 shall be in Chicago to confer with the i"armers’ Mutual Benefit association to se6 what can be accomplished. “One great work of thealliance is to edu- cate the farmers to get at the truth of ail great questions and thus fit them for good citizenship. In the Jocal alliances lies this groat reform, for out of them grow the state aund national assemblies, To accomplish this work we must be bound together mn our township, county and state organizations.” The report of August Post of Towa, secre- tary and treasurer, was submitted. It showed that during the year 130,000 circulars and constitutions hud been printed and dis- tributed. In making his report he said : “Co-operative purchasing is rapidly grow- ing in favor, and its effects aro being felt, as wao are already get our goods much cheaper than before wo introduced this plan. Weo must ask and secure legislative re- form; and wbove all things wo must declare against trusts, which strike at the bulwarks of the nation. We know that property does not pay 1ts just proportion of 1ho taxes and we want more stringent laws on the question of usury. We wantto place ourselves in a position where we cannot only foster but control the publie schools,” Mr. Post was about to sit down when Mr. Root suggested that the treasurer's report had not been submitted. Mr. Post then read from auother paper the following : On hand at the end of last year, $ 13400 Received during the year.. . 1,804,090 In this is not up to the difficult matter to col- Total reccipts. Expeuditures.. Balance on hand.......... .8 0 In addition to this thero is a balauce of §£00 due from the treasurer of the Ohio state alli- ance. Mr. Root wanted the report submitted to the president and two other members, The president said that he had examined the raport and knew it was correct, He did not think it worth while to have it turned over to & committes. The report was ac- copted., President Powers announced the following committee on constitution and by-laws: Ashby of lows, Bradloy of Nebrasks, George of Iinois and Bushnell of Ohio. J. Burrows was called upon for an address upon *“The Future of the Alliance.” As he stepped to tho front ho wasloudly applauded, and after this had subsided he siid: I have had no time to prepare a speech, as every delozate from Neorska knows. Dur- ing the past month I have worked twenty- six hows out of every twenty-four, and I hope you will excuse me from speaking upon the future of thealliance. [Criesof *No, 10; RO o, goon." | “Then if 1 must speak I will say that to speak upon auy subject of great fmportance requives careful thought, “Have you ever thought of the alliance? Have you ever thought that tho aspirations 1t se0ks means somothing better for you, for e, and for all the tolerst “I want to now protest against money rullng the world as it now does, You know that all of the great reforms originatod awong the lowly, and why should uot this great reform which we now seek he born vithin the ranks of the tillers of thesoilt I wiaut to enter my prolestagaiust the unequal uccumulation of wealth fn the hands of a fow, and if you will seek the pages of history you will find that this is an era similar 10 that of the French revolution. Then monarchs were in power and organized soci- ety was much like that of today. The rioh were suatchiug what they could from the laboring classes. When the rabble broke into the king's paluce the condition of affairs ‘was much the same as now. We have banks, telograph companies and corporations, all of which wre orgasized snd proteoted by & law oxtorting from this r\nplu not cnly onothird, but even wo-thinds of the earning of the poor, which are transferred t the coffers of the rich. The people of this country are being driven 1o the wall, not ouly in the large cities, but inthe country, and the time is l‘llflfllg w- preaching whea aristooracy will hold the er in the states and et Washingtou as noly as it didin France, “This was demoustrated in this state but a fow woeks &go. You know the bistory of this of which T lrhl, aud it is not necessary for me to manut . “As 1 sald before, the great reforms were THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: WEDNESDAY. ANUARY 28, 1801 | diffused | we must appeal to hope, and in doin ¥ business s all | | entitled. started by the lower classes. The French were inspired by Voltaire and Paine, and the promulgators of the Ameriean revoltion by ideas practically the saime. through the masses, and when wo dsk ourselves of the futnre of the alliance, this wo must believe that it has'a bright future, For the present our work must be confined to cer- tain classes, The conflict of today s between the sses and the masses, and the masses that have been termed the mudsills and clodhop pers of society must be brought up to the standard of prominence to which they are Tt was not many years ago when the farmers were th thank God, they are now becoming the pillars of societ **The grading and de: for gold 318 Do passion so absorbing as the eternal struggle which hns = taken possession of our peeple, and with this in view I say that not only our country stands in"danger, but every institution is menaced. During the past ‘two weeks 1 have been ught face to face with this fact. 1 have n where 1 have scen the hidden hand of banks and railroads reaching into the pock- ets and placing the accursed stuff within the reach of tho courts and the legistators, If the alliance does not reach out _its hand and stay this course I tremble for the future,” *“We must contiuue to organize and make our influence felt; or must find out what laws are needed and work toward that end. We want to know that the government of tho country is 1o the hands of competent and true men. - We must not say that all we have t0 do'is to educate the masses, for there is still greater work. We must have the key; the key to political power. “There are many ways to get possession of this, one of whichis by the orguvization of u new party, though I do not think we should get together and send delegates to form such a party. Just how itshould be done I am not prepared to say. There has been a great deal of diseussion about merging ull of the ul- liances and labor organizations under one head for concerted action. Oune year ago, when I went to St. Lows, 1° thought that could ~ be accomplished, but I don’t know about it now. In this state we made an_atterapt last sum- mer 1 do a little merging, but it was o fail- ure. We drew up our principles and_circu- lated our declarations among the people who, 20,000 strong, signed them. You know the result. Many men stood by them, but others did now. We went beforo the people in No- vember and elected our governor, and if God and the -supreme court judges’ are willing, and an houest vote can be “reached in the leg: ture, wo will seat bim. [Chear *I would adopt a platform upon which hon- est, men cannot differ, and I would putit in tne form of a declaration. Iwould ignore or- ganizations, and now I tell you that if you follow this ndvice the alliance will sweep the country in 1542, ““Whatever is done, the alliance ultimatoly means political action, and there s no dis- guising this fact or keeping it from the public any longer. “I now ask_ you, friends and brothers, whatare you doing " [Crics of, “We are getting thiem all along the line.” | As Mr. Burrows took bis seat ho was ten- dered a voto of thanks, and the building re- sounded with long and loud cheers for the alliance and a third party. Mr. Root moved thata committee of five be appointed to request Mr. Burrows to mere fuily outline his plan of work for bringing about the new party movement. The motion was lost sizhtof for a moment, but finally Root of Nebraska, Parrott of Obio, Kennard of Indiana, Baldwin of ITli- nois and Westfall of lowa were appointed as h committee. Secret work was then discussed and a mo- tion was made that a committee of one from cach county be appointed to submit a report. A lady delegate raised an objection, stating that the constitution does not provide for such proceedings. Mr, Root thought the work should bo s and shonld beof such a nature as to ‘that the mudsills have moved.’ Mr. Root urged that by a_conference with A committee it would save time, as the com- mittee could report tothe eonvention. Mr. Furrow of lowa thought there was a colored man in the woodpile, “tor,” said ha, “if any consolidation is to be talked the members of this convention want to know something more about the pian than _simply what information can be gained from # committec's veport.” He had heard con- solidation talked, but did not think it could be accomplished, A lotter was received from W. E. Stillwell and other merbers of the Farmers' Mutual Benent association, asking for the apppoint- ment of & committee to confer upon the po- litical situation, Upon looking about the room the president discovered the Ilinois gentlemen in the room and asked them to present_ their views, Mr. Root objected avd favored the confer- ence committee, This raised a chorus of objections, members arguing that as the men from 1llinois were present they should present their views to the convention and not to the committee, A dolegate from Iowa thought this should bo left with the committee on resolutions. Mr. Westfall moved that a declaration be sent out to all alliances, asking them to sub- scribe to the principles to bo formulated by the natioual alliance, and come together in convention at some future date. Tho motion prevailed. Mr. Pratt of Nebraska favored reporting to the convention. He did not want any star chamber committee reporr. Mr. Shaver of fowa said that all the cour- tesies of the floor would be extended to the Ilinois gentlemen, and for this reason op- posed the appointment of a committee. Mr, Parrett of Ohiosaid: “We want to meeu those gentlemen on the rostrum and ndge for ourselves ot the merits of their plan. Then we can approve their course or vote it down.’” T'his ended the discussion, and a substitute to the motion was adopted, by which the gen- tlemen will appear before the convention this morning. ‘The evening session was held in the ball in the Young Men's Christian association build- ing, where addresses were deliveroa by D, H. Talbot, N. B. Ashby and Milton George. Tho brograthme for teday is as follows: 9:00 8. m.—Iteport of committees and mis- oellaneous work. 11:00 a. m.—Address by Miss Eva Mc- Donald, state lecturer Minnesota state alli- ance, 1:30 p. m.—Election of officers and miscel- laneous business, s} PBESIDA‘]; POWERS ADDRESS, He Urges Reforms in Money, Land, Transportation and Other Matters. Some time before the hour for convening the delegates assombled in the council cham- ber, where Mr. Bushwell of Ohio stated that he would receive subscriptions for the Na- tional Stockman, of which he is the editor. Mr. Ashby of Towa passed arouad a circular deseriptive of a book on farming. At 2 oclock President Powers arvived and soated himself in the chair usually occupied by President Tom Lowry of the council. He immediately called tho convention to order and issued an adict to eject all interlopers. Thedoorkeeper performed s work and roported that ali of those in the hull were tried and true alliance men., President Powers then stated that be had not read the programme and consequently did not know the order of busiuess, Several members tried to take advantage of this lack of knowledgo upon the part of the president and dewanded the appointment of the committees. “I am not ready 10 appolut any commit- tee,” responded the president. ““T'hen et us have tho addross,” exclaimed a dozen members, Secretary Post was called to tho chair, and stopping down from the platform, Mr. Pow- ers spoke as follows : Brothers of tho National Allance: The industries ol a country may be considered in two departments, Those that consist princi- pally of mavual labor or that occupation wiich may be sucessfully fallowed with but little systomatio muufht. aud those which depend for success chiefly on systematic and continued mental traluing. It i3 true that the best ana noblest type of manhood and womanhood consists in'a judicions eombama. tion of these qualities. ~ And the mental jant who towers above his follows by is sirength of miud, his clearness of log or lights of gentu, A ho docs not turn theso quallioations o somo practical use, i 1o more to be commended than the stupid- brained, hard-musclod athlete who, though an adept in the sporting arts of his class, has little more semse than the brutes whose strencth and agility he emulates. The actual worth of fudustry or labor may be measured by the actual production of the vecessaries or comforts of life which i brings forth, Education is now | » mudsilis of society, but, | | to change or the benofits to mankind which arises from it. A man may think as acutely and act in as skillful and shrewd a manuer to rob a safe or a railway train, or to gain the ad- vantage of his fellowmen in trade or bar- gain as the honest farmer or mechanic in their laudable ave jons, But while in the 0 case the whole effort is to get possession f that which rightfully belongs to another, by violence and fraud, the other tends alto- gother to inervase the actual wealth in the world. The one earns, while the other profits s earnings ctual produ I think, is the true And Industrial organizitions prop- erly speaking, are those whose mem bors make it a business, by their owa laborand thought, the powers and substances of nature into that which may be of service and use to man. The merchant on the contrary, while there is labor connected with his calling, devends mostly for his profit and success on_what is called skill in trade, which, while it some- times refors to using good judgmen t in roaard to the time and price of his purchases ana los, oftoner refers to a_faculty or skill of buying at a lower, and sclling at o higher price than justice would permit or honesty admit. of, But the fact that many of our people aro engaged in occupations that ro in them- selves mixed with evil, does not rendor those igaged in them necessarily worse than other men, nor remove them from claims to our consideration. But it does, and should ren- der them 1neligiblo to membership in dis- tinotively labor organizations. The man who earns euough bread for himsalf and family by the sweat of his brow, and in ad- dition earns the big ' profits of the successful merchant, the usurious interest for tho prosperous hanker, the exor- bitant rates for the railroad company and the surplus of taxes to be squandered by the cor- rupt officeholder and politician, has some in- terests that aro not shared by any of these recipients of his earnings and which can only be sustained by such corbination of strength as can only be obtained by systematic organ- izations of those whose interests ate iaen- tical. It would naturally follow from theso considerations that each separate branch of industry should have its: separato organization. The blacksmith has peculiar interests in_relation to raw material, tools, ete., w hich are difforent from the car: penter, aud both of these from the shoe- maker, and so with all the different trades and occupations. And all others differ from the farmer in this, that while people may for a time go barefooted or without shelter, the products of the farm are absolutely necessary every day, ana all ths time, for tho very exist- ence of everymemberof a civilized community. But while trades unions and Kuights of Labor assemblies are necessary in the citics, and the farmers’ allisnce other kindred organizations are necossary in the country, there are interests which are common to all these, and for which some geueral organiza- tion is absolutely necossary. The question of business co-operation on & scale of national magnitude is a very im- portant one, and to be made productive of lasting benefit, will require such careful con- sideration and'such close and practical study as I haye been unable to give to the subject. I would only suggest that until such an ar- rangement of the industries and business of the country is made, that the productions of the labor of every individual will add some- thing to gemeral comfort and prosperity, there will be room for improvement in that direction, But it is in relation of these organizations 10 government, that the greatest necessity for co-operation exists No effective arrange- ments of a national character for the conduct of the business industries of the country can be nade, and prove of benefit, without being in effect laws of tbe organizations which adopt them. And 0 to prevent general and continual conflict with the laws of the wov- ernment, the government itself must be con- trolled by these socicties, How this can be aceomplished, 1 think, is the most imporant question which should be considered at this session of our ulliance, Two gencral plans at once present them- selves to my miud for Attaining this object. The first, that which has the sanction of the political history of ur country and the reju- dico arising fromx” our own political educa- A new party. The other, ion, wiich has been v, successful in a number of the states during vhe past years. To the first proposition ham docidedly op- posed for the following reasons, viz first: Such & political party is not practicable for industrial organizations, Such societies aim at reforms. And although a party formed by " ther might, and would atthe first, be formed an such principles as at the tims were advo- cated by all, no such platform could be adopted unless on such vague presentation of priucipies as would be of little practical ben- efit as an assurance of whoiesome political action, that would not in many parts soon be- come obsalete, and of no effec Witness, the two purties which have di- vided the government during the last thirty years. Ench of them was formed ou prin- Ccipies which were definite and practical at the time, but long ago thoy have been lost sight of, and instead of tne contention be- taveen them being on principle it is a strife as o which can the most successfully apply all the deception und corruption attending mod- ern politios to gain the spolls of office and the mavagement of the public treasury It is not possible to confine a political party toany ouo class or condition in society, From motives of principle or _policy, men_of all classes would vote with the new indus- trial party, for it would be large and power- ful cnough to be sought after as the possible winning side, Yau could uot rejct the vote of & man because he does not belong to your society. The result would be, your new party would embrace bankers, lawyers. professional poli- ticinns, men who' are not interested in you, or your prosperity, exceptin sofar as your political triumph wmay giwvo toem a ower and 1fluence over you and then hav- ng o foothold in your party, they would soon gain the asvendancy the same us they now possess in the old partes, and youwould realize you only bad theold party machine under 8 new name. In fact tho essential underlying principloof @ political party is, that those who vote with you may be your political masters and compel” you €o vote as they dictate, or punish you with political astracism and the party lash. 1 believe in plediges. T believe men ought to be willing to pledge themselves to each other to vote for goad wen or good measures ; but not 10 yote for men or measures because & mu- jority of uny party or class of men may de- mand it. But the important question is: How may volitical independenco be made successful? Ianswor: Every new party is: formed by independent political action, and all that, is necessary for its success is that its principles should bo held by & majority of the voters of the country or locality and that they be en- abled to nominate and concentrate their votes on such men as are true to those principles. Now as success has beon achieved in this way in several instances, and that without the md of any definfto plan, but arisiug as it were on the spur of the momient, it does s reasonable that by following out a definite, plain system for such action every year that success would be the rule and not the excep- tion. What is the reason that in every great question of reform, or every measuré for the public good which may be suggested and brought forward it is so dificult to get peo- pleto vote together{ It is because they ave arrayed against cach other 1n existing polit- ical parties und those parties will not sanc- tion such combination to sustain the princi- ple as would beeffective, but insist that their numbers must be arrayed against each other on partisan lines, Surely some better way to reduce righteous principles into legal enactments may be de- vised. Permit me to suggest a plan’ for your con- sideration. Let this alliance discuss and agree upon such measures as it shall deem ex- edient to form 8 basis for political action For this year and nest, . Plico this by corres. pondence before the other great ndustrial or- gavizations, and with their concurrence let a convention be called at some central poiat for the purpose of comparing views and finally adopting us a uatioual platform a conoise set of principles which can be cordiaily sup- ported by all. Then publish them fo “the world and letthe remainder of the yoar bo speut in disseminating theso principles and proparing for the great struggle in 158, The subjects on which those principles are founded should be those which are most vital to the prosperity of tbe people, the honest taborers of the Whote country, and which can be 30 tmpressed on the majority of the peo- ple that, they can be adopted and ewrried out, 1 think they may be all included in the fol- lowing list: Money reform, land reform, tanusportation reform, ballot reform, and the suppression of any viee that is tolerated by law to the perilof our pational prosperity. Time wili not permit meto give any more than a_glance at each of these subjects, but [ hope that during our session they may bo discussed in suoh & manver &s 10 load o a definito line of “medon on each subjeet. Dut it during the discussion it should appoar that peactical unantity cannot be arrived aton any subjoct, it far'the present should not be adopted for polftical action. And in present ing my views Blifly on these subjects, it is not in my dogmatic syirit, but rather s a loarner anxiou Jodraw out’ ideas drom you, my nmmem,? Mrengthen or modify my own. Monoy is a créitiire of Iaw. The intriusic value of the mateal of which it is manu- factured does notadd toits value. The fece of paper, 3 by 7 jnglies, which is issued by tho government _aud is named 1,000, wiil purchase just a8 niich and pay just as’ large a debt us the one Kundred $10 gold pieces, while the metal could be bartered for the labor and matgrial to manufacture $1,000,000 of the paper moncy, So, while the §,000 bill will fill a contract for &1,000 a $1,000,000 worth of gold or diamonds would not pay it if the creditor choose to refuse. Nor does the spromise to pay*’ wld one iota of value to the Il Lot tho stamp boreversed and just “one thousand dollars” be printed on ‘the paper without any qualification and tho pold bo stamped “proivise to pay,” and their rela- tive value asa circulating medium in this country would not be changed. But if the wold were stumped “receivable for all debts except taxes, the paper would soon be con- sidered worth the most. The fact is, what the government, labels as mouey, it is bonnd to receive as wmoney, and what will pay the government will pay any subject of tho government, unless othérwise prescribed by law, But money, when manufactured by the overnment, is of 1o use to the people except it be. put into circulation, There are two ways in which this might bo accomplished, eithor of which would be far better than the present system. The one, to estimate how inuch per_eapita would be necessary to furnish a “sufieient supply for the business of the people, and then to issue that amount of currancy aud apply it to the expenses of the governinent, in the meantime remitting government tax and duties in o corresponding amount. "The other, o issuo such an amount as_will be just enough for tho best_irfterests of the people and loaning to them on good security without interest such mouey as they need in their industries, limited in amount 1o any one individual. The advocates of the first planseem to overlook the fact thatno adequate amount could thus be put in cireulation without making complote change in our revenue system necessury, o be followed iu a short time by a_recurrence to the old method; or adopting yetanother untried method of sup- porting the expenses of the government. ‘'he method of loaung to the working people without iuterest I think the most feasibleand least ohjeciionable. If money was thus furmished by the government on a term of fow years to individuals, but perpetual to the people, and absolutely without interest, the hoarding of monoy would be stopped, ex- cept it be in the case of & few misers, and all the money in the country would soon be in cireulati In fat, the very design of money is opposed tosccumulation by interest. 1t is only intended and nceded as a medium of exchunge, and should no more be subject to accumulation than an order on the baker for bread or on the grocer for sugar or coflce. 1f a man is unabloto work Lo ought to be supported by law. But if he is able to work, the property which he may have and which renders Lim not only independent of aid by law, but the less dependent on his own industry for support, should be made o ineans of oppressing his fellow men, This may be avoided by the government making perpetual alternating loans to the people. So ong as the industries and trade of the coun- tey are conducted on the principles of compe- tition the power that controls the money of the nation controls the tion, ~ And when the people's government manafactures and furnishes to the people a fixed amount of money per capita, sustains it at that ratio and_keeps it all in circulation, then, and nottill then, will labor aud the products of labor receive certain adequate reward. On tiie question of transportation but one solution of the difficulties seems to be loft us. Auticipating the attempt of the people to en- force their demand to bring the railroads under tho control of law, combinations and consolidations have been'effected o aim_ at, and bid fair to practieally apply a volicy which shall euable the conpanies or compauy (for 1 thiuk they aro virtually now but one) to di tate their own terms of operation and rates for service, or to subject the people of any locality or-of the whole country to the ai- ternative of being deprived of railroad ser- vice and thus starv® them into | subjectio There is but one effective remedy for thi and that is forthe governuient, which has always admitted its obligation to furnish of transpovtation for the people, by to corporations and indi- viduals privileges by charter to pro- vide and operate such roads, to take them into its own hands and farnish that service for its people which the corpora- tions have failed to render. How this should bo bronght about, whether by purchase or confiscation, T shall expect. to hiear discussed by others before we close this s five it to say that it is not con true patriotisin to permit an institutior necessary to the people to be ran and m aged in such a manner as to uot only impo erish them, but to endanger the sal of the government itself. A prome itated connivance of these comp nies with foreign invasion, or domestic insurrection might easily placo our govern- ment at the mercy of its enemies. And the snme disposition which leads them to rob the neople would lead them to rob_or destroy the government if they conceived it would be to their advantage. Land reform is attended with as many dif- fleulties as any question with which we have todeal. How to preserve the rights of prop- erty, the obligations of the government, and the 'matural - rights of the tillers of the soll, may well puzle the wisest philoso- plers. It seems to me the only clear way for government i recognize the Giod- given right to the soil of those who tillit (ot have it tilled), and that this result should be brought about in the least injuri- ous and most equitable mauner possible. Ballot reform magy be resolved into two questions: Who shall vote: and, how shall hov vote ! In regard to the first, T think it is time to consider whether the ignorant and vicious nopulation, which exists in a_greater or less degree in all our cities, shall be allowed not ouly to vote, but control the votes of othiers, while intelligent women ail over our land are deprived of all share in & gover went which affects their interests to fully as great a degree 0s that of e And why the forcimer, ignorant of our insti- tutions , ignorant of our language. aud pe haps opposed to all restraints of law and arder, should be permitted to vote after a residence of but @ few months on payment of a paltry sum for his papers which perhaps is furnished by some scheming politician, and taking the oath, the obligation of which he does not recognize; while our own sous, who at sixtcen years of age are bet ter qualified to "oxercise good cliolce and sound judgment in voting, are required 0 wait tive years bafore they are treated as full citizens ‘or allowgl to exercise the rights of freemen. Iha principle embodied in the Australian ballot Sy§temn no doubt would bo a great improvement on the present plan if properly guarded:' But in many cases where it has obeen adopted the best features bave lieen so changed that it cauuot be mueh improvement. The object aimed ao: should be to insure the secrecy of the balloti To make some degree of intellivenco intho voter necessary. To veuder bribery uhsafe and to remove the voter us far as possible from partisan preju- dice and to facilitate the success of independ- ent nominations, ~ * Au now, my biotuers, how is it with our own organizationi. Is there not something more necessary Lo, sequre unitormity of con- stitution and plan so as Lo give groater efi- ciency and purm}xé{m'_\' toour society? giving Should there ngt 'be more systematic and definite informatforprovided for, so that we may know the fodlings, plons. and uction of all parts of our brotherhood? If the secret work has advantages of power aad per- manence, ought it #0v be adopted! And if that is coneluded on, should there mot be, in addition to the peculiar work, or system for euch state, a generul mystic bond by which brothren frem all parts of our couutry should o recoguized and ‘weleomed by each othe Should there not be somo prescrived active work for each of our officers to perform{ Are wo not by our lack of system and our in- definte, loose orgunization as a national so- eioty, laying ourselves hable to be atsorbed by other more compact Orzanizations, whign although hawing the same gencral objects in view would not be so congenial to our brotherhood! 1 sk your earnest considera- tion of these matiers, and trust that you will leave nothing undoune which seewms neoes- sary to the efticient and_ successful exocution of the great work we ane attempting. Let us not be deccived. 1t 18 no time for boys' play and mock demonstrations. There wis & time when the corporatigus and monied oligarchies looked wpon us with unrafed contempt. That econdition s changed. Three miilion voters cannot be drawn up in line in an army withont attracting gencral attention even” thongh thoir discipline may be imporfect and their lines disconnected, The enemy is alrendy marshalled for the battle, We must conquer or suffer ignominious aefoat, Be not decoived. deemed. 1f we nrov, This people must be ro- unworthy of the trust we nave undertaken, God will raise up other instruments to accomplish His will, for He hns purposed great things for this uation and He will - accomplish them., But we, how shirll wo answer for_our lost opportunities? What will oue children think of us? How shall we answer on that day whon nations and societies are put on trial as well as indi vidualsi Lot us acquit ourselves like true men; lot us encourage each other; let us close up tho lines; let us lift up the bannor of freedom on high. let us pass the word down along the ranks, “Tho People, God, and Our Native Land." 'Let us shout the battle or “United Wo Conquer,” and our foes will seatterod. o Light - will break forth as tho Liberty will triumpl, Our coun- ol Nebraska, lowa and Dakota Pensions. WasiiNatox, Jan. [Special Telogram to Tk Bir.|—Vensions were grantea today to the following Nebraskans: Original in- valid—Joshua H, Evans, Callaway; Jacob H. Brown, Wayne; Willism Brunka, Clarks; Lafayotte Groess, Superior; Thomas J. Churchwell, Fairbury; Myron F. Barber, Stromsburg: John E. Danhuer, Central City; Jeorge Allword, Cortland; Ira Bennett, Rulo; Richard S, Black, Holdrego; Albert 1. Masterian, Omaha; Samuel dott, Wos- ton; William Murfin, Haigler; William H. Hamilton, Albion, Increase—Eli F. Chitten- den, York; Robert Grant, Lincoln; George W. ' Knight, Iuavale. Reissue—Wilson S, Richards, Fairchild; Camillus Smith, Douglus.” Mexican ' suryvivors—Nathau P, Britton, Lincoln lowa: Original Oliver, Fair- field ; James L. illtown ;. War- 5 Gustave Charle: , Clinton; Verr. sovenz Knabe, Marshalltown; 1 ] Hardiny, Kinsley: George Shuler, Dumont Joseph Hart, Wilton Junction; Peter Kirley, Missouri Vauley: William Shaw, P’ George Shaner, Pilot walter, Panora’ Poter Woodring, Celwein William H. H. McCabe (deceased), Milton | Wyatt H. Bell, Vinton; Herman P. Manly, Storm Lako; John W. Amlong, Spring Hitl} Wesley L. Brandt, Baster. Increase—John S, ¥ord, Grundy Center; Anson Tolman, Rook Rapids: Charles H. W. Payne, Welsh' Mortimer W. Nelson, Randolph: James B! Cook, Floris; Sumuel L. Squires, Newton Reissue — Lockwood Johnson, Janesville; James James, Corning. Reissuc and incroaso —David K. Dougherty, Evans; William Ogle, Bancroft. Original widow’s, - ete Lucetta K. _Patton, _former _widow of William H. H,' McCabe, Milton; Mary A. Manchester, former widow of James 'S, Wright, Villisca; Emily D., widow of Jacob A. Edwards, Maquoketa; Mary 0. Rice. former widow of James H. Brow, Decorah : Minors of J. 4. McKie nan, Mexican ~ widows—Martha W., widow of Tsu Preston, St South Dakota: Original—Nathaniel J. House, Canton: Samuel Ebbert, Dolan, (de- ceased) : ( ge E. Hopkius, Estelline; Hor- ace H. Warren, Wolse - INE DOGS AND FOWL. They Are Ex\ibition at the Dakota Pet Stock Show. Mirenerr, S. D, Jan, [Special Tele- @ram to Tiy Bre,|—The state poultry and pev stock show opened hero today. The entry of fowls makes a splendid exhibit of all the high bred grados of chickens. The prin- cipal exhibitors thus far ere: J. M. McPher- ren of Noxthleld, J. W. Russell of Tripp, W. S. Andersonof Aberdecn, E. A. Dume of Mitchell, J. T. Heatland of Marion Junction, George Mumby of Marion, C. A. Saxb; Madison; C. B. Billinghurst, Ashton; J. M. Drayer, Doland. Ther y others who have mage smaller entries than these, F. W. Sheelibergor, Litts, In,, is the poultry judge. The exhibit'of canines'is an interesi- ing oue, There are English mastifs, 1 and cocker spanicls, Scotch and. skye ters ars, English grey hounds and a variety of setters. Tomorrow occurs the coursing races after the jack rabbit for a prize of £00. The show will not close nutil Friday. A large attendance is expected the next two days. South 21 Behind the Timos. Cravperialy, S, D, Jan. 27.—[Special Telegram to Tie Ber.|—Six half grown In- dian boys 1 the government school at Lower Brule agency ran away this morning, but were captured and brought bacis by Spotted Horseand Old Lodge, two Indians, When caught, the boys claimed they wero on their 7 10 Pine Ridge agency for the purpose of joining the hostiles. They probably donot ead the paper were ot aware of tao fuct that the Indi AnAnti-Pronibitio Huroy, 8. D., Jan. 27.—[Special Telegram to e Bex.]—James McGregor has been held to appear before the grand jury to answer to the charge of violating the prohibition law. Seven hundred dollars worth of liquors were found in McGregor's place by the sheriff. ‘This is the first case here under the state pro- hibition law. TWO PRESS OPINIONS. Irish Journals Give Their Views of the Condition of Affairs, DunLiy, Jan. 27.—[Special Cablegram to Tur Bee.]~The Express today says that the conferences at Boulogue-Sur-Mer are sim- ply an attempt to discover a pathway for a decent retreat of the followers of Mr. Justin McCarthy from a position too hastily as- sumed. The Express adds that the dissen- ton in the Trish “party is not of @ permanent nature, as the leaders of both sections have too much to lose tokeep open the quarrel until the general election, The Irish Times today says that the few Trish members of pacliament who ure pres- ont in the house of commaons are followers of Mr. McCarthy and are sitting behind Sir William Vernon Harcourt and Messrs, Ar- nold Morley and Henry Labouchere, while the Purnellites are stumping Ireland and treating the Boulogne conference as a farce. B A Cowar {1y Assault. Curcaan, Jan. 27.—[Special Telogram to Tue Bre.]—The police are looking for Riley Ruffin, & negro twenty-one years old who came here some months ago from Omaha, who 1s suspeeted of making @ murderous us- sault on John Hansborough, captain of the Leland hotel bell boys. Hansborough dis- charged him about ten days ago and Ruffin red he would kall Hansborough uuless was taken be About 5 o'clock yes day morning as Hansborough was leaving home on Harmon court he was knocked down, his throat cutand his right eve gouge 50 that ity bung on his cheek, He did not fully recdiznize Ruflin as his assailant, but he believes from his size that he was none other. The police have been unable to find any trace of him. Hausborough will probably die, ———— Cut His Throat on the Street. Deapwoon, 8. D, Jan, 27.—[Special Tele- gram to Tur Bee]—D. N. Cooley, s young man who arrived here recently from no one knows where and who has since posed as a private detective, was urrested tonight on @ charge of burglarly. While in the custody of the ofticer he managed to pull a razor from his pocket and cut his throat from ear to ear. The suicide occurred on Sherman street, one of the prineipal thoroughfares of the city, and croated the wilaest consternation tothe mary people passing ut the time, The Council, The council held a brief and peaceful ses- sion 1ast evening. The committee appointed % investigate the monagement of the plumbing inspector's office presemted a r port recommending that the inspector be reprimanded for the creless manner in which bis accounts wers kept. The Bullou electric light ordinance was introduced and referred for one weok. The ordinance mak- ing tho tax levy a total of 87 wills was futro- duced. L Gessler’s Magic Headache Wafers, Cureall headaches in 2 minutes, At ull druggists, The Shah of Persia Though advanoed In years, has har of raven Alrs are uls dominfons, and ments to that country of Ayer's Hair Vigor, by the use of which the Shali's sulyects save not only their hair but their hoads. Ayer's Hatr Vigor restores the natural color of the hair. Itshould beon every tollet-table. “ Some time ago my hair began to fade and to fall out so badly that 1 thought 1 should be bald; but the use of Ayer's Hair Vigor has restored the orlginal color ind made my hair strong, abundant, and healthy. 1t does not fall out any more.* — Addie Shafler, 540 Cinelnatl, Ohio, My bair (Which had partly turned gray) was restored to Its youthful color and wuty by the useof afew bottles of Ayer's ir Vigor. I shall continue to uso it, as 're Is no better dressing for the hatr. Galdo Gapp, Georgeana, Ala. ’ e Ayer’s Hair Vigor, DR.J.C. AYER & CO,, Lowsll, Mass. DIVIDING THE TERRITORY, Task of the First Meeting of the Western Trafflo Association, A COMPLAINT FROM SALT LAKE CITY. It is Not Likely to Result in a Redue- tion of Rates—The New Fast Freigtit Line—Tow Latest. Curcaco, _Jan. 27.—|Spocial Telegram to Tae Ber]—The commissioners of tho new Western trafic association held their initial ng today. Theouly subjoct under con- sideration was the boundary of the territory over which each commissiouer should have jurisdiction. The whole ground was ¢ fully gone over with u view to including the whole territory of certain lines in one district if possible, in order to avoid having two chalrmen considering the same complaint. This plan will bo adopted as far as possible The commissioners think they will succoed in this task at tomorrow's session and then the work of the new ass tion will be ac- tively pushed. The pooling of the traffic will not be con- sidered until the figures on at least two months’ trafiic have been tabulated. The pool will then be « ach road carry ing wbat the commnissioner pusider more than its share of the traffic being ordered to turn over to its competitors enough to even up. Climax Cipooer. B al Telegram to va raliroul commission- ers have capped the dlimax of reduced rates in that state of hostile legislation to railroads. They today sent all the railroads doing busi- ness in the state an order lowering the cls fication on nearly a hundred important.ite of traflic. This ovder is effective Februat and loyers the rate about 25 per cent on all the articles montioned. The oMcials of the interested fines estimate that the order is equivalent to & reduction on il trafie of 10 per cent, Tho ordor was received lato this aftornoon and alrady stops are being taken 1o hold & meeting of the interested lines. It was the general opinion that the order would be i long as possible and then a_fi it is brought fnto court. The ground of the contest will be that the onler is a confisea- tion of property, in that 1t reduces rates to a non-payiug basis. Tup Brr.| Salt Lake's Complaint. Onicaco, Jan. 27.—[Special Telegram to : Brr,]—A meeting of the passonger oft- cials of the lines in the Transcontinental aud ‘Prons-Missouri associations was held todsy to consider the complaint made by Salt Lake City of the rates made to Utah s compared with Montana and California points. The adleged injustice came about through alower- ing of rites to Helenaand other Montana points without a corresponding reduction to Salt Lake City, Pending the arrival ofa committee from the Salt Luke chamber of commerce, nothing was doue, although most of the roads favor raising the Montans rates rather than to lower thoso to Utal Unnamerd Fast Cuicaco, Jan, 27.—-[Special Telegram to Tnk Bee,|—The new fast freight line, of which T. H. Noonan has boen appointed gen- eral manager, is still unnamed. Mr. Nod said toaay that it will consist of tho Balti- more & Ohlo, Baltimore & Ohio Southw ern, Philadelphin & Reuding, Columbus & Cincinnati Midland, the Big Four m and any additional allies, Theso ronds can secure business which will be_carried to and from the seaboard from all points in this territory. Agents will be appoiuted at all avaitable points, the prospect boing that the new line will fairly divide the taffic with its com- netitors. reight Line. “roo Ride Scheme. Cimeaco, Jan, 27. al Telogram to Tur Bee. ~Trafic nanagers of the principal western roads met today to devise” some means of putting a stop to the misuse of tickets issuedt to men in change of live stock shipments, My of theso tako sucha_ job mercly toget a free ride to Chicago, and on their arrival here sell the retum_portion of the ticket to a scalper. A commitice was appointed to consider the mat ter, e Exposed by a Wronged Widow. Cmeaco, 1L, Jan. 27.—Perry Byam, widely kmown in Grand Army circles as the young- est soldier of the rebellion, and Henry Ha, y 4 board of trade man, are under ar- rged with & real estate swindle. It is asserted that they paid a small sum on a tract of land south of the eity, and ad vertisea lots for sale in exchange for grocery saloons, ete. As soon ss 4 doed to the ¥ was made over tothem they would A pagze it and lot the business run itsell. | It is needloss to0 say that the deeds they gave for the real estate were valueless. It is as serted that they have netted §20,000 from many viclims. ~The exposure came about throigh a widow named Graves, who fol- lowed Byam here from St. Paulu few months ago under promise of marriage. The sk learned that he had a wife and children she exposed the scheme to the police. —— a Broken Heart. Mrs, £lack, formerly Jumes A, Flack, died this morniug. liness dates from the da she discovered the perfidious method husband took to rid himselof herby & fraudu- lent divorce. We Believe That S. S. g._is—without an equal as a remedy for mala- rial poison. |t cleanses the system of all impurities. 1 SUFFERED FOR ) YEARS WITH MALARIAL POISON. MY APPETITE FAILED, AND 1 WAS GREATLY REDUCED IN FLESIL | TRED THE MERCURY A0 POTASH TREATNENT, AND CONTINUED T0 8ET WORSE UNTIL LIFE HAD LOST ALL CHARMS .88, MADE A COMPLETE AND PERMANENT CURE, AND MY HEBALTH I8 BETTER NOW THAN IF KVER WAS. J. A RICE, OTTAWA, KAN Book on blopd and Skin diseases free, The “wift Spe -ill: Co,, Alant, Ga New York, the wifs M. Hollman & Oo., 1oth and l'um.-un) Did You Foer Hear of old the when she lived through Mar she always lived through the rest of the year? Did You Lover Think that because you have M, Hellman & Co. ) (it and Farnn oy lived up to the present time without buying more coal or an overcoat that you can do so the rest of the year ? Did You % | Lover otice that at this time of the and clothiers generally congratulate M. Telln Lith and year the coal dealers themselves on their trade, but o > You < Lver Scesucha yearas this past one the business men, when straw hats M. Hellman & Oo, Tith and Far has been for aforesaid would have sold better than Overcoats, and Did You Ever Yet sce a secason from Novem- . Hellman & ( Lith and Farnam, ber to May but that there were many cold days in IFebruary, March and April? Duid YO'u FEover Go througha winter in Nebras- M. Hedlman & Co., Lith and Faruam: ka or lowa without having to l wear an overcoat, orsomething equally warm? Did You Foer Have fortune knock at your M. Hellman & Co, 1ith wnd Farnam \ door and play “not at home. Not while Hellman is selling $15 Overcoats for ¢1o. Did You Lver Hear of any house sciling as M. Hellman & O A'tith wnd Furnawi many Overcoats, regardless of the weather, as they hav done this year. Did You Lver Try to economize ? I Hellmun & Co. Lt aud Furnu, Then try ain, You will not be disap- pointed in Hellman's Over— coats, for they're the very finest M. Helmun & Co.)) 161k und Furuaw. Purchasc for the price. These Overcoats are all prices, worth a great deal more, and come in a variety of sizes, woman who ; . said that she had noticed that P d e A ’fl