Fergus County Argus

WHAT THE FARMERS WANT.
Secretary Windom Has No Authority to Grant Their Demands.
Washington, Nov. 17.-It is stated that Secretary Windom, in his annual report, will give no attention to the demands of the Farmers' Alliance, as questions raised by that organization are not within his official purview. The Farmers' Alliance, as is well known, demands free coinage of silver, the passage of a sub-treasury bill and the abolition of the national banking system, and Secretary Windom is opposed to all of these propositions. It is believed, however, that the Alliance will have so much power in the Fifty-second congress that it will force some of its views upon congress and compel the senate to adopt some of its measures. The senate, of course, will never agree to the abolition of the national banking system, and it is likely that Congressman Dorsey's proposition giving banks circulation to fill the par value of bonds deposited and decreasing the minimum of circulation to $100 for each bank, will be adopted at the approaching session. This proposition is being pushed in the senate by Sherman, who says it is time that the Republicans were giving close attention to the demands of the farmers' organization. He says he is willing to enlarge the circulating medium in almost any manner, provided that obligations, be they certificates of deposit issued by sub-treasuries or any other authorized agencies, are made redeemable only by the United States government. It is likely that Sherman will champion some proposition to give large increase of circulating medium per capita. He believes that the Farmers' Alliance will have sufficient influence upon the senate to force through some questionable measures, and that it will, if that body does not take the initiative and propose some remedies in the direction of the demands made by the Alliance.