HISTORY OF THE FARMERS ' ALLIANCE. 103 



He then issued a call for a meeting of the State Alliance 

 for trie purpose of electing a President, Vice- President and 

 Chairman of the Executive Committee, to perfect plans of 

 co-operation and to elect delegates with a view to organ- 

 izing a national body. This called session was held in 

 the city of Waco, on the i7th day of January, 1887, C. 

 W. Macune President pro tern. , and J. H. Moore, Secretary. 

 Hon. Evan Jones was elected President of the State 

 Alliance ; B. F. Butler, Vice-President, and J. H. Harri- 

 son member of the Executive Committee. Delegates 

 were also elected to meet with representatives of the 

 Farmers' Union of Louisiana, for the purpose of consol- 

 idating the two bodies. The Union of Louisiana was an 

 organization having the same objects in view as those of 

 the Alliance. The first Union was organized at Antioch 

 Church, March loth, 1886. To Samuel Skinner and J. 

 A. Tetts, perhaps, more than any others belong the 

 credit of originating and perfecting the organization. 

 The Order spread rapidly throughout the State, and when 

 the Waco meeting was called, sent delegates there to aid 

 in the organization of a National body. The convention 

 for that purpose was held on the i8th day of January, 

 1887, an d the organization effected. C. W. Macune was 

 elected President; J. A. Tetts, of Louisiana, First Vice- 

 President; G. B. Pickett, of Decatur, Texas, Second Vice- 

 President, and E. B. Warren, Secretary. A National 

 Constitution was framed and adopted and much other im- 

 portant business transacted. President Macune, realizing 

 the importance of organization, now began to send organ- 

 izers in other States and the Order rapidly spread over 

 most of the Southern States. Even* where the farmers 

 were realizing the importance of organization and united 

 action against those who were encroaching upon their 

 rights. During this time the Alliance in Texas was tak- 

 ing effective steps towards putting their co-operative 



