SITUATION IN THE NORTHWEST. 307 



understand finance, and that money and transportation must be left in 

 the hands of their friends ; i.e. the bankers and railroad kings. 



Between 5000 and 6000 Alliances, Knights of Labor, and Labor Unions 

 have been organized during the past few years in the four States men- 

 tioned, and every one is a living and vigorous protest against the exist- 

 ing order of things ; and if the politicians were not blind they would 

 see the storm brewing, and trim their sails accordingly. But none are 

 so blind as those that will not see, and nothing but a political cyclone 

 will open their eyes. The people have about despaired of securing 

 relief from either of the old parties, being satisfied that they are hope- 

 lessly and helplessly under the domination of Wall Street and the great 

 corporations, and are moving strongly for the organization of a people's 

 party ; and if they do, it is a safe prediction that they will sweep the 

 Northwest with an overwhelming plurality. 



In South Dakota the majority of the county officers, two-fifths of the 

 legislature, and a United States senator were elected last year on an 

 independent ticket. 



Minnesota polled 58,000 independent votes, electing legislators 

 enough, headed by the president of the State Alliance, Hon. Ignatius 

 Donnelly, to control largely the legislature, and elected one congress- 

 man by a large majority. North Dakota, while not electing her men, 

 largely controlled the nominations of the other parties, resulting in the 

 election of an Alliance congressman and a friendly senator. 



In Iowa there was no general independent ticket put. in the field, 

 although a number of candidates were nominated and made a strong 

 run, defeating the majority of the Republican congressmen in that old 

 stronghold of Republicanism. But they are awake now, and will be 

 heard from in 1892; and if the "situation in the Northwest" is not 

 changed, politically at least, at that time, it will not be the fault of the 

 State mentioned. 



