IO4 HISTORY OF THE WHEEL AND ALLIANCE. 



plans into practical operation. A Cotton Congress was 

 held in the city of Waco, on the 4th of May, 1887. Plans 

 for manufacturing woolen and cotton goods were consid- 

 ered, and many business enterprises discussed, which 

 have since been put in practical operation. A short time 

 after this session the Alliance purchased, for $50,000, the 

 celebrated Marble Falls, situated in Burnett county, Texas. 

 These falls, said to possess over 2,300 horse power, are 

 centrally located in the State and surrounded by a country 

 rich in the production of raw materials. Here it is proposed 

 to erect woolen and cotton mills. The wisdom of this enter- 

 prise is unquestioned. With the savings of freight, storage, 

 commission and middlemen's profits thus effected, the 

 farmers of Texas will be profited many thousand dollars. 

 Besides the water power the purchase includes extensive 

 quarries of the finest granite, immense beds of variegated 

 marble and large deposits of coal and iron. Partly on 

 account of an oversight and for other reasons we have 

 unfortunately failed to obtain the proceedings of the State 

 Alliance for 1887. On the 2ist day of August, 1888, it 

 met in the city of Dallas. Hon. Kvan Jones had been 

 re-elected President and presided over this meeting. A 

 large delegation was present and the greatest enthusiasm 

 prevailed. The address of President Jones was able and 

 pointed. He reminded the delegates of the responsibili- 

 ties resting upon them. "You represent here to-day," 

 said he, "one of the greatest industries, one of the most 

 powerful organizations in the world; an organization 

 founded on equity and justice, whose cardinal doctrines 

 inspire purity of thought and life, and whose intentions 

 are * Peace on earth and good will towards all mankind.' 

 * * At no meeting ever before held in the history of 

 our Order has the Farmers' State Alliance been confronted 

 with graver questions or business of greater importance 

 than the one now in regular session assembled. As a re- 



