HISTORY OF THE FARMERS' ALLIANCE. 113 



different States should be represented at Congress by a Com- 

 mittee on Demands, for the purpose of securing legislation to 

 protect the interests of agriculture. The Legislative 

 Committee constituted by the National body at St. Louis, 

 in December, 1889, indicates that other States were in 

 line with Alabama on this important question. At this 

 convention S. M. Adams was re-elected President and J. 

 P. Oliver was chosen Secretary. 



The next meeting of the State Alliance was held at 

 Auburn, in August, 1889. ^ ne g rea -t absorbing question 

 was the consolidation of the different agricultural organ- 

 izations. This convention, in addition to many other 

 resolutions, passed one asking that the government loan 

 money to farmers, on real estate at half its value, at two 

 per cent, interest per annum. Bills to that effect have 

 since been introduced in Congress by Senator Stanford, of 

 California, and Congressman Featherston, of Arkansas. 



Alabama has a State Exchange with a large capital 

 and is saving the members of the Order many thousand 

 dollars each year. 



The union of the Wheel and Alliance was perfected 

 October i5th, 1889. The Order in Alabama has educated 

 the people on political and economic questions, has 

 taught them improved methods of farming, has brought 

 about concert of action among them, and has united them 

 in feeling, in desire and in determination. 



THE ALLIANCE IN DAKOTA. 



The organization of the Farmers' Alliance in Dakota 

 began in 1884. In response to an informal call a 

 number of influential farmers assembled at the city 

 of Huron, December 19, 1884. The number assembled 

 was small, but they fully comprehended the need of an 

 organization, and the benefits to be derived from it. Sev- 

 eral local Alliances had been previously organized and 



