VI. Farm Movements A. Farmers have always been independent B. Oliver Kelley made first attempt to organize farmers 1. Order of Patrons of Husbandry much like fraternal organization a. goals to better themselves, their farms, and communities C. The National Grange became more militant in response to depression 2. blamed middlemen for their troubles a. Grain Brokers b. Silo Operators c. Railroads i. dependant on railroads to take produce to market ii. charged farmers more than industry

2 a. farm goods traveled farther & rural tracks used less iii. Gave discounts & kickbacks to large customers 3. Farmers formed cooperatives to deal with situation C. Grange put pressure on state to regulate railroads Illinois,Iowa,Wisconsin & Minnesota passed Granger laws a. established maximum rates on railroads & silo operators b. some states established commissions to regulate prices 2. Supreme court upheld these laws Munn v. Illinois Reversed their decision Wabash v. Illinois In response congress passed Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 a. required railroads to establish just and equitable rates b. started first federal regulatory agency i. Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

3 ii. limited to control only commerce between states iii. little enforcement capabilities iv. could only bring suit in federal court D. Grange declined in late 1870s 1. economic prosperity&small gains let farmers believe not needed 2. renewed interest in late 1880s during another depression E. 1880s Southern Farmers Alliance grew to prominence. 1. much like Grange 2. lobbied for change and improved conditions in rural America a. government regulation of railroads and silos b. better rural schools c. agricultural colleges d. equal rights for women

Alliance met at Ocala, Florida a. proposed national platform for reform i. called for direct election of U.S. Senators ii. a lower tariff iii. increase of the money supply a break from gold standard iv. wanted treasury bills based on silver v. wanted government silos in rural areas a. hoped to keep prices stable storing grain when cheap b. holding grain till prices increase vi. also supported graduated income tax vii. government regulation of transportation & communication

5 b. not much support from government i. policies to liberal ii. government a friend of big business iii. supported some local candidates iv. once elected they forgot their promises to alliance c developed a political wing and helped form a third party i. the People's or Populist Party ii. Colored Farmers Alliance & National Farmers Alliances joined a. brought together Black and White farmers iii. Leonidas Polk president of Alliance first presidential candidate iv. died before the convention v. nominated James B. Weaver union army veteran a. James G. Field a confederate veteran for Vice-president

6 d. Their Omaha Convention of 1892 continued issues i. raised issue of direct election for U.S. Senators ii. direct primaries iii. the initiative iv. the referendum v. recall vi. the secret ballot vii. free coinage of silver at 16 to 1 (silver to gold) viii. nationalization of railroads & telegraph and telephone ix. tried to gain urban support a. supported the eight-hour workday b. immigration restriction c. condemned Pinkertons as private armies to break strikes

7 e. Not completely unsuccessful i. carried four states, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada ii. parts of Oregon and North Dakota iii. could not break Democratic hold of south iv. could not convince Midwestern farmers to vote for them v. urban voters distrusted them vi. remained a force in local politics and in silver mining states