THE ALLIANCE IN TEXAS. 31 



" ' In witness whereof I have thereto signed my name and set my seal of 

 office, this 6th day of October, 1880. 



(Signed) "<J. M. RICHARDS, 



[SEAL.] "'County Judge, Parker County, Texas. 



" ' ENDORSED. 



" Charter of the " Farmers' Alliance" of Parker County. 

 " Filed in the Department of State, October 8, 1880. 

 (Signed) " ' T. H. BOWMAN, 



" ' Acting Secretary of State? 



'"THE STATE OF TEXAS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 



" * I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original charter 

 of the " Farmers' Alliance " of Parker County, with the indorsement thereon 

 now on file in this Department. 



" * Witness my official signature and the Seal of State, at the city of Austin, 

 the 9th day of October, A.D. 1880. 



"'T. H. BOWMAN, 

 [SEAL OF STATE.] " Acting Secretary of 'State? 



" Our readers should bear in mind that, up to this time, the Farmers' 

 Alliance was local in its character, imperfectly organized, with no literature 

 or means of educating its members, and nothing wherewith to push its organ- 

 ization, save patriotic hearts and willing hands. Hence, it devoted itself to 

 the social conditions and local questions affecting its members, pointing out 

 the evils from which the farming classes were suffering and which all acknowl- 

 edged, but there was no remedy to be found for them outside of a thorough 

 organization of the farmers. The Grange^had been disorganized, the farmers 

 were scattered, divided in opinion, almost indifferent to their condition, the 

 means employed in valuing their products, and without any means of express- 

 ing or enforcing their views as a class. And thus the Alliance employed what 

 feeble means it had to effect an organization of the farmers. 



"Called meeting of Grand State Alliance, at Garretfs Creek, November 

 13, 1880. All officers being absent but the secretary, on motion and second, 



F. M. Culwell was elected president pro tern. House called to order by 

 President Culwell, and J. W. Culwell was appointed doorkeeper, and ordered 

 to take up the word. Finding all correct, the Alliance was opened in due 

 form. Roll call : J. N. Montgomery, W. T. Baggett, J. C. Gilliland, Andy 

 Dunlap, J. S. Welch, and W. C. Thompson were fined $1.00 each. L. 



G. Oxford and J. W. Sullivan were absent, but excuse rendered and 

 received by the Alliance. President appointed J. A. Culwell and J. H. Dover 

 to examine credentials. Report for Wise County Alliance, J. A. Culwell and 

 H. C. Richburg; for Jack County, Lost Creek, No. 21, J. E. Overhuls ; for 

 County Line, No. 14, J. M. Rowe and S. F. Gilliland; Poolville, No. i, W. H. 

 Thompson. Next, call for the report of the committee appointed at Peaster 

 Springs, September 11, consisting of Andy Dunlap, R. Lyons, and O. G. 

 Peterson, all absent, and, on motion and second, fined 50 cents each. On 



