128 HISTORY OF THE WHEEL AND ALLIANCE. 



January, 1888, by Col. G. T. Barbee. On the i2th of 

 July, 1888, delegates from twenty-eight Sub- Alliances met 

 at Luray and organized a State Alliance. G. T. Barbee 

 was elected President, and J. J. Silvey, Secretary. 



The Progressive Farmer, published at Raleigh by L. L. 

 Polk, was adopted as the official organ of the Order. At 

 this meeting President Barbee commissioned a number of 

 deputies to push the work of organization in different parts 

 of the State. At this time it seemed that the prospects for 

 the organization in the State were dark enough. But 

 three counties had been organized. Ninety-seven yet 

 remained to be enlightened and enlisted in the cause of 

 justice. Secretary Silvey, writing of this period, says: 

 4 ' During this dark period, when all seemed doubtful and 

 uncertain, Col. L. Iv. Polk, of the North Carolina Alliance, 

 with a few devout followers, came to its rescue; an act 

 deserving the gratitude of the Alliance men of Virginia. 



"By the efficient work of these brethren many new 

 Alliances were formed, and from this time on the Order 

 assumed a new phase, the clouds of doubt and despair 

 began to roll away and the bright and cheering sun of a 

 new era arose. ' ' 



The impetus which the organization received in the 

 aid of these brethren has placed it in a prosperous condi- 

 tion in the State, and since that time it has grown with 

 wonderful rapidity; many who opposed it at the beginning 

 now espouse its principles and are its warmest supporters. 



The second annual meeting of the Virginia State Alli- 

 ance was held in L,uray, Page county, on the 6th, ;th and 

 8th of August, 1889. Thirty-five delegates were present, 

 representing thirty-two counties and 460 Sub- Alliances, 

 with a total membership of nearly 8,000. Most of the old 

 officers were re-elected, among whom were the worthy 

 President, G. T. Barbee, and Secretary J. J. Silvey. Dele- 

 gates were elected to the National meeting to take place in 



