The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 12, 1891 Page: 4 of 8
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THE SOUTHERN MEROUBT: DALLAS, TEXAS, THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1881.
The Southern Mercury ,b01uld '"K ,he Am,n" *°dl
-«j J ranks of its enemies outtide.
OFFICIAL ORGAN
Texas Farmers State And Industrial Union.
ONB DOLLAR 8 Y88R, IN «DV8N08.
Published Brorr Thursday by th8 Farmers
State Alliance Publishing Company.
MILTON PARK, General Man g r.
Entered at the j.oitoffloe, Dallas, Texas, aa
aecoud-claai mall matter.
N. R. P. A.
Have you heard of the great Waco
council called for April ai?
nsaoBaeaan
Harry Tracy, the "Sam Jones" of
Texas, was in Dallas Monday. '
Do all the members of your Alli<
ance read The Mercury? If not,
why not? ________
Cut out President Jones' proclama-
tion and ask your county papers to
publish it
Read carefully the vote on an elec-
tive commission and see how your
representative stood.
t9MBES=BS99BSES9!
Is your subscription out? Then
renew and send a list See the pre-
mium list in (his iseue.
eSBESSKBHMBBBSl
Be Sure to read John Johnson's
letter to Senator Reagan. It's a
acorche . "Lay an, McDuff," etc.
join the
It is
dishonorable to "hold with the hare
and run with the hounds."
Bro. J. T. Crawford of Cisco,
chairmain of State Alliance executive
committee, was in Dallas on Tuesday
en route home from Denison and Sher-
man. He reports Alliance prospects
brighter than ever before.
Way not have your sub-Alliance
represented at Waco? Try it and see
how easy it will be to do a good work
for the Older.
How can Hon. A. W. Terrell recon-
cOc fab past teachings with his present
upon Die elective clause of the
frnrwhr'm bUL
nEEVps0B9PQB9BSB9
Wheiui the sense to howling stop.
riMg railroad a, While the Stand-
ard OT company runs the blind calf
ove* fhe sand legislature.
I I I, — II I II >«■!■
Aocordimo to promisa ThA Mer-
cury this week publishes the opening
chapters of "Jonathan and His Contin-
ent" Do not fail to read it
Tas people are not qualified to
el ect railroad commissioners. Oh, no!
But they can elect a governor to ap-
point them. Statesmanship? Bah!
If your sub-Alliance is not finan-
cially strong enough to senda delegate
to Waco, club in with some other one
too weak also. Don't faO to be *ep-
resented.
Some legislators were afraid that Ac
railroads might bribe the people, but
the governor being infallible would
naturally appoint good men and true
on the commission.
Wuev disgruntled parties who hava
been kicked oat of high places in thai
Alliance Issue libellous circulars,
would be well fot them to place their
property under caver.
OHOhMrtennaBe
Of course the Standard Oil com-
pany dashes a rigid inspection law,this
is manifested by tho fact that they sent
to Austin attorneys and heelers to de
hat any inspection law.
Got. R. J. Sledge of Kyle, presi-
des! of Ate Farmes State Alliance pub
hshkg company and chairman of t ie
national cotton committee, spent Sun
dsf and Monday in the city.
Nearly every mail brings com
mendations of the premiums given to
those who secure clubs. Why should
you not receive some of these valuable
premiums? You can get a list as eas-
ily as any one else. Try it
With a rigid state coal oil inspection
law in Tennessee, 155 S Fahrenheit
test, brilliant oil sells for nine cents
per gallon while in Texas without any
state inspection law, ii89 Fahrenheit
test, oil sells at 20 cents per gallon.
Attention is called to a communi-
cation from Bro. Mooney, correcting
a misstatement as to the position of
his District Alliance en giving com-
missioners courts authority to issue
bonds for the improvement of public
roads. ____________
Do you want some good lecturing
your community? If so, you had
better secure the services of the Hon.
Frank Fogg of Lansing, Michigan.
Only a few more appointments are
needed to make his list complete. If
you delay, your application may come
too lata.
President Eyan Jones, with his
genial, happy, wholesouled, good na-
ture was a welcome visites to The
"Mercury office Monday. Bro. Jones
says, the Waco meeting in April will
be a grand success, and that he hopes
to see every Alliance in the state
represented.
When the sage of Travis tuns his
wistful eyes towards the United States
senate in 1892 he will hear echoing
front a long line of farmers in his front,
tíieie words, 'notworthy to enter there-
in," because you voted for an appoin-
tive instead of an elective railroad
commission bill.
Thr hue and cry ran through the
capitol that the enemies of the railroad
commission were all in favor of elect-
ing (he railroad commissioneis, but lo
and behold when the ayes nays were
polled, only two anti-railroad commis-
sion members voted age, while five
leading railroad attorneys voted no.
THE COMMISSION BILL.
Several days before Terrell's sub-
stitute for the substitute commission
bill came to a vote, the corridors, lob-
by and rooms of the capitol were filled
with wild eyed men who vehemently
asserted that the railroad lobby, and
railway attorneys, who were members
of the twenty-second legislature, were
unanimously in favor of an elective
railway commission. Whippers-in ran
to and fro urging the farmer members
to attend caucuses and • save the com-
mission bilL They attended these
caucuses and were warned that if they
voted for an elective commission they
would play directly into the hands
of the railroad power and the
commission would be a failure and the
country ruined. These statements
were received as true until it was found
that two railroad men favered the elec-
tive feature and seven opposed it, then
the Alliance men began to suspicion
that something was wrong and the
caucus began to slowly dwindle. At
once the managers changed their tac-
tics and forced a vote under the fear-
ful threat that Gov. Hogg would veto
any elective bill, a prompt aye and nay
vote was had with the following result:
YEAS—27.
Hood at Parker, Peebles,
Priets,
Cade,
Cain,
Crtnnellee,
Crowley,
JlX,
roKirett,
Gi'riud,
Hamblen,
Hodges,
Adklps,
Afinew,
Jones,
King of Bowie,
Peyton,
Robleon,
Shaw,
Kirk patrtck, Shaper,
Klelber, Swan. '
Martin of Somer- U rbahn,
veil,
MoKlnuon, York,
O'fcrien.
NAYS—61.
King of Burls- Bogan of Brown
son,
* ~ " Bogan, Caldwell.
Baker of Tom King of Bell,
Oreen,
Batta, Lewis, Rogers,
Brown, Lindsay, Rowland,
i.gowning,Don- Lowry, ltudd,
Browning of Halone, Sellers,
Lampasas,
Martin of Wlje, Selman,
iCunnlngham, Strange,
Oiegg,
Colibrí
am pasas,
f.
ran,
Crayton,
Curry,
DaTla,
Derden,
DIUs.
Duncan,
Francis,
Gouffh,
Goodman,
Gossett,
Graves,
Oresham,
Mot
McElwot,
McGregor,
MeKinney,
Melton.
Moody.
Murthison,
MurroU,
Nhnltz,
Oliver,
Ownloy,
Patton,
Perry,
Hood, Fannin, Pblllips
Jester, Retifro,
Keith, Reynolds
Hvvuyno,
Tom pie ton,
Terrell,
TUson,
Toltw'rt,
Traltt,
Vfistal,
Wuters,
While,
William «on,
Wilson Of Hill,
Wilson of Harri-
son,
Wonuiek,
Wursbucb,
Yovr County Alliance declared for
an elective commission. Did you
send an Alliansa man to the legislature?
If so; look at his vote. Is he in accord
with the views ol his constituency?
When the white eyed statesman
£«m North Texas convinces his anci-
ent partner that ho is worthy to be
trusted it, will then be in order for
the people to consider his sincerity.
What about a man who advocates
tha election of United States senators
If a direct vera of the people, yet says
these same people can not be trusted
to elect thrsa railraad commissioners?
aMBBMBBBMSn
What should a man who is an Alii,
anca member and who is not in accord
with tha purposes of the order do?
Ha should canvass his objections in
sida of *a AlHaaca aad present his
views fully ta tha order. If this does
nal have the effect ha desires and he
ia unable to change his views, he
In Tennessee whero they have a
rigid state inspection law, 17$* Fah-
renheit, Eupion oil sells Coria cents
per gallon, while in Tesas 15a Fahren-
heit test sells for 30 cents per gallon.
Who is hurt worse, the people of
Tennessee who have an inspection law
or the people of Texas who have noae.
MONEY.
The Galveston News says:
"Senator Peflcr's notion of money is
sueh that though he speaks for free
coinage he distinctly departed from all
that is essential in the theory of free
coinage. His copper flat money would
cease to represent value if not control-
led in volume by the government. All
such advocates as Senator Peffer
should bo distingu shed from the free
coinage advocates. They represent
a dread alternative which unquestiona-
bly threatens to water all creditor stock
and practically repudiate as large a
proportion of all debts as congress at
any time may see fit to repudiate in
that insidious manner which may be
denominated pure greenback flatiim.
They may call for silver coinage mere-
ly as a small step toward making
money more plentiful, but if they
possess any idea of the logic of free
coinage they certanly repudiate its
limitations, which are those of honest
observance of obigations. They as a
party are the whirlwind which the re-
publican party sowed when it tampered
with the finances of the country during
the war and after die war."
It is very strange that the News dis-
covers at once tha danger to "creditor
stock," there is in the free coinage of
silver, and yet during twenty-seven
years faflad «a sea the almost fatal in-
flueace, upon "debtor stock," of con-
traction. It makes a difference ia this
case whoso ox is gored.
naminaRRffi
When answering advertisements,
//sots mention Southern Mercury.
The Mercury hopes that its read-
ers will look carefully over this list and
then see how the loading railroad mery
in the twenty-seeend legislature voted,
"for I'y their votes ye shall know
th'. in."
Firm the be. information The
Mercury has been able to obtaiu, not
a rai'ioad attorney of any pruninence
voted for the ilcctive featme, while
every one who is :.uw and lias very
lately been known as a prominent rail-
way attorney and manipulator (with
tho exception of Mr. Hamblin) voted
for the appointive feature.
The Mercury does not desire to
censure any one for their vote upon
this question for we know many good
men voted against the elective feature
because they believed what the whip-
pers-in said.
The vote shows conclusively, how-
ever, thut the railroad manipulators
desired aa appointive commission.
No one ever heard of their advocating
an elective commission in any state.
It is a fact well known that the policy
of Gould and other large railroad
men is to concentrate the power of the
p eople into as few hands as possible,
knowing that it is easier to control a
few individuals than the masses of the
people.
The worst feature in the matter is
disclosed by the fact that the men who
worked the rabbit foot on the twenty-
second legislature are found in the
enemy's camp. It was well known to
every member of the house that the
Farmers Alliance had, without an ex-
ception, demanded through the legis-
lative committee and otherwise that the
commissioners be elccted by the peo-
ple at the new general election, and
every two years thereafter.
The Mercury in future, as in the
put, will continue to battle for the de-
mands of our order against all who
chooso to oppose them.
■e-HBWHSW*H«PSM
A3* ANSWER.
A correspondent asks "what is the
definite meaning of tho words 'freo and
unlimited coinage of silver?'" A dog-
matic general answer to this question
is impossible baca use men have differ-
ent ideas caacerning it Tha AlUvuce
moans however by froc and unlimited
coinage of silver, that it shall bo froc
government at tha dictation of Wall
street, restricts the coinage or the legal
tender qualities of silver.
As a legal tender it is to equal gold,
in amount it is to be limited only by
the demands of the people. To speak
of intrinsic value as applied to four
hundred twelve and one-half (412^)
grains of standard silver stamped by
the government as one dollar, is to
produce a gold bugs argument against
free coinage, for the reason that silver
depreciated in value, for the first time
when it was demonetized, and gold
made the unit of value. To illustrate,
had gold been demonetized and silver
made the unit of value gold would
have depreciated, considered by a sil-
ver standard.
By cunning manipulation of legisla-
tion in favor of Wall street silver was
depreciated, just as was the case with
all values that were not speculative.
It is right that a bi-metallic (if it be
metallic at all) standard should be re-
established. Finally, were it not for
the government's fiat stamped upon
their faces, both silver and gold coins
would at once take their places in the
markets of the world, subject to all the
vicissitudes of other products.
TAKEÑIN BY SHABPER8.
A market gardener,near Eagle Ford,
who sells his truck in Dallas went to a
northern city about three or four weeks
ago in answer to a letter from green
goods men who offered $6000 for $450.
He was met fifty miles from the city
by one of the sharpers who steered
him in. He says that money was lying
on tables all around the room to which
he was conducted. He compared the
notes shown him with his money and
found the green goods to be perfect in
every particular. Having decided to
take $450 worth, he paid the amount
and prepared to leave. The swindlers
expatiated on the danger of carrying
so much money and agreed to ship by
express to him at Dallas He camt
home and is waiting yet for his
•'money." It is easy to catch suckers
even in so large a city as Dallas
TECHNICALITIES.
The following language was recent-
ly used by Chief Justice Peter Turney
of Tennessee in delivering an opinion
from the bench:
Technicalities should never be em-
ployed as shields for wrong, but only
for the protection of merit. When tliey
present themselves na barriers to jus-
lice, courts should without hesitation
cut through them to tho righfc, that the
ends and the purposes of equity and
good consciouco may be attaiucd and
served
The utteranoe has been very gener-
ally commented upon and commended
by the Tennessee press. The Mem-
phis Appeal-Avalanche says:
If the courts generally shall heed the
words of tho chief justice, the cause of
justice will be greatly promoted, and
the people will suffer less from the law's
delay. In the criminal courts, techni
calities have become the refuge of the
guilty to such a degree that criminals
who are able to employ counsel skilled
in technical construction generally find
it possible to evade the law's wrath
This is particularly true in murder ca-
ses, for it seems to be getting more and
more difficult to punish those who take
human life. When courts act as Chief
Justice Turney advises, the poor will
have more confidence in them as tem-
ples of absolute justice, in which the
cauBe of the worthy cannot be affected
by litigation unduly protracted. "Tech
nicallties should never be employed as
shields for wrongs, but only for the pro-
tection of merit!" Into^that sentence
the learned chief justice pits the whole
essence of the law. It Is a phrase that
will live after him and stand to bis
great credit. It should be put in glow
ing letters in every court room, and
should give character to every form of
court proceedure.
Not enly is it true that hundreds of
murderers and othor law breakers es
capo the penalty for their misdeeds
through technicalities; but it is also a
fact that thero arc multitudes power-
less to resist, who are oppressed by
technicalities. Should Chief Justice
Turney act in accordance with the
principle set forth in his opinion as
above stated the people of Tennessee
will hava caute to bloss his name.
It is to be hoped that tho principle
enunciated will, ere long, obtafa every-
where.
THE ALLIANCE ASSOCIATION.
Especial attention is called to the
proclamation of President Evan Jones,
which appears in this issue. As pres-
id;nt ot the Texas Alliance he has la-
bored earnestly to promote the best
interests of the organization. That he
has devoted very forceful thought to
the situation is shown by the master
stroke of his administration as set forth
in his plan for a state association or
council of Alliance men. The most
prominent Alliance men in America
will attend the meeting, and a thor-
ough discussion of Afiance principles
will be had. No more important
meeting was ever called in the state of
Texas than this. At least one thous-
and people are expected to attend. A
more thorough understanding of Alli-
ance purposes will be one result 01
this council, and a hearty co-opera-
tion will follow.
President Jones, by his suggestion
provides a way out of a great difficulty
which has heretofore stood directly op-
posed to true Alliaiice advancement
An incomplete knowledge of AlUauct
principles has made possible th<
schisms desired by men who wish to
wreck tha order.
Ey making the April council a sue
cess the Alliance of Texas will tak<
the first step toward thfe practical edu-
cation in economic measures of hei
people. The ground work for the
proper dissemination of Alliance liter-
ature will be laid, and the most power
ful incentive to renewed vigorous ac
tion will be_ applied. Perhaps tht
most important feature of the meeting
will be its effect in fixing < ducation a?
the rock upon which the Alliance may
stand undaunted by the attacks of it
enemies.
The programme will be improved
in every possible way and announce-
ments of changes or additions will be
made from week to week.
Every Alliance man in the state
should feel a personal interest in the
success of this great enterprise. Do
not put off action but commence yout
preparations to attend or send some
one. The good of the order demands
your co-operation. Will you comply?
ing in its interest. "The Half White "
by Fanny Van de Grift Stevenson, is a
strange story of considerable power.
"J apa nica " the fourth paper, 'Japan-
ese Ways and Thoughts,' by Sir Edwin
Arnold, is quite a spirited account of
Japanese life, and will doubdess lead
to a more thorough investigation by
Americans of the lives and characters
of this curious people. "The Orna-
mentation of Ponds and Lakes," by
Samuel Parsons, Jr , is beautifully illus-
trated.
#
*
Dr. C. W. Macune of Washington
chairman of the executive committee
of the National Farmers Alliance and
Industrial Union and editor of the Na-
tional Economist, was in the city this
week and paid The Mercury a very
pleasant visit. While here President
Jones secured a promise from him to
attend the Waco council.
Some men who have a desire to
dominate the order think that desire a
qualification, and in proportion as the
desire possesses their souls do thc>
consider their qualifications, preemi
nent. ' They would rather be light
alone than to err with the whole ordei
at their side." Every dematd and
every law must be changed to suit
their particular whim. In this posi
tion they make a small mistake oi
three letters. They were not properly
instructed when they were initiated.
They should have been informed thai
a burning desire for office in the Alli-
ance is a dis-qualification.
MAGAZINES.
Harper's Magazine [Harper and
Brothers, New York] for March in
illustrations and literary matter is
marvel of excellence. The frontis-
piece, Antipholus of Syracuse.
"Teach me dear creature" is especial
ly striking. "The Argentine Capital,"
by Theodore Child, illustrated, is very
good. The third installment of Charles
Egbert Craddock's new aad thrilling
novel, "la the 'Stranger People's'
Country" marks a growth in interest
Thomas Hardy's "Wesaex Folk" is
series of characteristic Dotstt tales
well illustrated. These features, with
many others, combine to make Har
per's for March a greater favorite than
ever with magazine readers.
* •
•
Scribaer's Magazine [Charles Scrib-
ner's Sons, New Yoik] for March has
The Forum [The Forum Publishing
Co., New York] for March has an arti-
cle, by Senator John Sherman, with re-
ference to his Nicaragua canal scheme.
Bishop A. Cleveland Cox writes quite
a suggestive article entitled,' Do We
bate England?' W. S. Lilly's "The
Shibboleth of the People" is a
¡stroke against demagogy, and at the
■ame time an appeal f< r the classe .
' Formative Influences," by Mart) a
J. Lamb, is a recital cf extended ob-
eivation and use ul experiences. \V.
M. AcworthV'Railways under Govern-
neat Control" is a review of ihi poli-
cies, under which the railroads are
tirst, owned by the sta e, second, are
closely supervised by state officials and
are organized almost as a department
the public service, and third, those
n which the railways are the property
>f private trading corporations.
* *
#
The Round Table, [Dallas, Tekas],
or March has the first chapters of a
story, by Belle Hunt,called "The Lo'e
That Lived." Chapter three of* a Heio
ui Black," by S ie^h3rd Grace, com-
letes fye story. Literary notes aio
especially good, and the magazine
¿rows in inte est wi'h ea h issue.
A Groat. American Magazine.
THE SUC0ESS OF "THE CENTURY" AND
ITS PLANS FOR 1S91.
The Century Magazine is now so
veil known that to tell of its past suc-
cess seems almost an old story. The
New York Tribune has said that it and
ts companion, St. Nicholas for Young
Polks, issued by the same house, ' are
r.;ad by every one person in thirty of
rhe country's population,"—and large
editions of both are sent beyond the
eas. It is an interesting fact that a
few years-ago it was found that seven
thousand copies ot the Century went
to Scotland,—quite a respectable edi-
rion in itself. The question in Eng-
land is no longer "Who reads an
\merican book?" but "Who does not
ee the American magazines?"
A fw years ago The Century about
doubled its circulation with the famous
war papers, by General Grant and
others, adding many more readers
later with the Lincoln history and
Kennan's thrilling articles on the Sibe- '
rian Exile System. One great feature
of 1891 is to be
"the gold hunters of california,"
describing that remarkable movement
to the gold ñelds in '49, in a series of
richly illustrated articles written by
survivors, including the narratives of
men who went to California by the dif-
ferent routes, accounts oi the gold dis-
coveries, life in the mines, the work of
the vigilance committees (by the chair-
man of the committees) etc., etc.
General Fremont's last writing was
done lor this series. In November
appears the opening article, "The First
Emigrant Train to California,"—cross-
ing the Rockies in 1841,—by General
B dwell, a pioneer of pioneers. Thou-
sands of American families who had
some relative or friend among "the
Argonants of '49" will be interested in
these papers.
many other good things are com-
ing,—
the narrative of an American's travels
tiri ugh that unknown land Th bit (for
700 miles over ground never otfore
trod by a white man); the experiences
of escaping war-prisoners; American
newspapers described by well known
journalists; accounts of the good Indian
fighters, Custer and others; personal
anecdotes of Lincoln, by his private
secretaries; "The Faith Doctor," a
novel by Edward Eggleston, with a
wondertuily rich programme of nove*
ettes and s-ories by most of the leading
writers, etc., etc.
It is also announced that The Ce: •
tury has purchased the right to print,
before its appearance in France or any
other country, extracts from advance
sheets of the famous Talleyrand Mem-
oirs, which have been secretly porserv-
ed for halt a century—to be first givoa
to the world through the pages of an
American magazine. All Europa ii
eagerly awaiting the publication of this
present history of Talleyrand—greatest
of intriguers and diplomats
The November Cestui;
new
quite a quaint frontispiece, drawn by: volume
Iron and steel work, are to be estab-! Robert B)um, called "The Musmee." (£* °°)jpiy be
11 shed in SaÜ Aaleato, If suitable ar-¡ _ , , ..... e .. _ , „ the publishers 1
ranfMnents as te a location afcd local;' ^ M#tch w uh Starving Caluma ¡ iampie oopy—a recent bach
and unlimited so lor as regulations of aid can be made. | by A. J. Mouuteney Jephion, is thrÜk to any orfo desiringÜ.
I ' I
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The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 11, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 12, 1891, newspaper, March 12, 1891; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186178/m1/4/: accessed June 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .