Farmers' Alliance
a general term for an American association of agriculturists which was founded in 1873, originally in Texas, where it was organized for the purpose of co-operation against cattle thieves. In 1887 its members had increased to over 100,000, its scope was greatly extended, and it consolidated with the Farmers' Union of Louisiana, becoming incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, as the National Farmers' Alliance and Cooperative Union. In 1880 the National Agricultural Wheel was organized in Arkansas, and branches were formed in other States. These two organizations were consolidated at St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 1, 1889, under the name of the National Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union, with a membership then estimated at from 1,600,000 to 2,500,000. This society is in active operation in all the Southern and Western States (except Ohio and Wyoming), and in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Another organization, called the National Farmers' Alliance, was formed in Chicago in 1880. In 1892, fusing with others as the People's party, it nominated J. B. Weaver FARMING for President and cast 1,041,021 votes.
The Southern branch seceded and went out of politics. The Farmers' National Alliance held a convention in 1914, when it claimed a membership of over 3,000,- 000. The Alliance advocated Federal assistance for inland commerce, a literacy test for immigrants, and a poll tax upon them. kno