HISTORY OF THE FARMERS' ALLIANCE. 105 



suit of the rapid growth of our organization and success 

 of our gigantic undertakings in business, we have encoun- 

 tered great opposition, and no effort will be spared by 

 that opposition to thwart our efforts to free ourselves from 

 the iron grasp of monopolistic oppression and slavery. In 

 dealing with these great questions it is of vital importance 

 that you lose sight of all selfish ambitions, remembering 

 that the weal or woe of more than 250,000 honest trust- 

 ing farmers is dependent upon your action." 



The report of the committee on industrial depression 

 is so clear and pointed that we feel it best to append 

 the report in full: 



COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL DEPRESSION. 



To the President, Officers and Members of the Farmers' State 

 AUiance of Texas : 



"We, your committee to enquire into the cause of 

 industrial depression, beg leave to submit the following 

 report, assuring you, however, that the time at the dis- 

 posal of your committee is entirely inadequate to make a 

 thorough investigation of the subject. We gather the 

 more prominent facts from authorized statistics, with the 

 most rational deductions we are able to make there- 

 from and present them for your intelligent consideration: 



" It is a fact which can not and should not be longer 

 disguised, that there is among the laboring and producing 

 people an alarming destitution of the means of maintain- 

 ing a progressive civilization. The masses of the people 

 who are engaged in productive industries, are being 

 driven, year by year, and day by day, nearer 

 a condition of serfdom and tenantry. Where 

 is the responsibility for this condition? Is it 

 the failing energy and enterprise of the peo- 

 ple? Has the increase of population outstripped the 



