THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE. 121 



the part of the National Farmers' Alliance, to prepare a constitution 

 and plan of consolidation for said organizations. Adopted. 



The following resolution, relative to taking census, was read and 

 adopted : 



Whereas, Statements are often made and the belief is growing, that 

 we are becoming a nation of landlords and tenants, and that the homes 

 and farms of the country are very largely under mortgage ; and 



Whereas, Exact knowledge on this subject is of great importance in 

 the study of the social and economic questions of the day ; therefore be 

 it resolved by the National Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union, 



1. That Robert P. Porter, superintendent of the eleventh census, be 

 respectfully requested to collect evidence in the next census, what per- 

 centage of the people in this country occupy their own homes and farms, 

 and what proportion are tenants ; and of those who occupy their own 

 homes and farms, what proportion have their property free from debt ; 

 and of the homes and farms which are under mortgage, what percentage 

 of the value is so mortgaged, and also what proportion of such indebted- 

 ness is for purchase money. 



2. That if the present law providing for the census enumeration does 

 not include provisions to take a complete census of farm indebtedness, 

 we request the Congress of the United States to so amend the present 

 law as to provide for the above enumeration, and further that the publi- 

 cation setting forth the above facts shall be the first report given to the 

 public. 



3. That the secretary forward a copy of the above resolutions to the 

 superintendent of the census and each member of Congress and Senate. 



FOURTH DAY. 



The report on constitution was read and accepted ; after which the 

 following officers were elected for the ensuing year : 



L. L. Polk of North Carolina was elected President ; B. H. Clover 

 of Kansas, Vice-President ; J. H. Turner of Georgia, Secretary ; H. W. 

 Hickman of Missouri, Treasurer ; Ben Terrell of Texas, Lecturer. 



On motion, a committee from the Northwestern Alliance was received, 

 and considerable time given to a conference with this body. 



Brother Polk was asked to take the chair to receive the committee. 



Adjourned to meet at 7.30 P.M. 



Convention called to order at 7.30 P.M., President L. L. Polk in the 

 chair. 



