| Summary |
The purpose of this study is to describe the problems of the North Carolina farmer during the nineteenth century, to determine how the General Assembly of 1891 tried to solve these problems, and the role of the Farmers' Alliance in directing the agrarian reform movement. A depressed agricultural situation after the Civil War led to the rise of farm organizations whose objective it was to secure reforms that would help the farmer. The Farmers' Alliance was the strongest of these organizations and elected members to the legislature of 1891 in the hope of bringing about agricultural changes. The Alliance closely directed the farmers' legislature and succeeded in obtaining reforms to benefit the farmer in particular and the masses in general. Concern over the farmers' predicament extended back to the end of the Civil War. Low prices, a labor shortage, little or no credit, and a shortage of currency left the farmer in a deplorable condition. The agrarian element was also the victim of railroad discrimination. Organizations such as the Grange and the Farmers' Association tried to assist the farmer through education and cooperative stores. However, these attempts were shortlived and did little to protect the farmer from monopolistic industries such as the railroads. In the late 1880s, another organization, the National Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union, grew quickly to prominence in the state. The Alliance assisted the farmer through social and educational activities and petitioned the General Assembly for economic and political reforms. When the North Carolina legislature failed to establish a railroad commission in 1889, the organization decided to elect members to the Assembly committed to endorse Alliance demands. In the election of 1890, the Alliance elected a majority of Assembly members who were pledged to support reforms for the farmer. The first test of Alliance power in the legislature came during the election of a United States Senator. Zebulon B. Vance was the foremost politician in North Carolina. While he favored most of the Alliance reforms, he could not support the subtreasury plan, a scheme to store farmer produce in warehouses until it could be sold for a better market price. The Alliance wanted the legislature to instruct the state's national representatives to support the Alliance financial reforms. The enactment of these instructions and their acceptance by Vance established Alliance dominance in the Assembly and set the stage for further reform action. The primary reform measure pursued by the Alliance in the 1891 Assembly was a railroad commission law. Farmers depended on railroads for transporting their produce to market. Discriminatory rates and exemption The from taxation placed a heavy burden on agriculture. railroads were a major political force in the state and for years successfully avoided state regulation. However, the Alliance succeeded in obtaining a strong regulatory commission with the power to set rates, inspect facilities, and investigate unfair practices. This commission was authorized to regulate express, canal, and telegraph companies as well, thus allowing the government to break up the monopolistic actions of these corporations. The farmer-legislator also realized the need for legislation other than agrarian reforms. Conservation, education, and health affairs were areas that required the farmers' attention. The Alliance legislator responded to these issues with a positive attitude and appropriated funds where they were needed. This assembly enacted a new revenue law placing the tax burden more evenly on all the people in the state. Programs were implemented to develop and promote the state's natural resources. While progressive and forward-looking, the Alliance legislator still clung emotionally to the past. The legislature declared Robert E. Lee's birthday a state holiday. In order to assist the many Civil War veterans in the state, the Assembly established the Confederate Veterans' Home Association and appropriated funds for its upkeep. A negative side of the legislator appeared when he reapportioned the state's congressional districts in such a fashion that an all-Democratic, all-white delegation could be elected. This tie to the past somewhat restrained the liberal nature of the Assembly. The Alliance legislature of 1891 established a progressive record on the important reform issues predominant in the state at that time. Although inexperienced at the beginning of the session, legislators quickly adjusted to government service and represented well the farming element of North Carolina. They were unsuccessful in obtaining major credit reforms that the Alliance wanted, and, as a result, the organization looked to its representatives in Congress for stronger support. Considering all areas of reform, this Alliance legislature was one of the most productive in the state's history and deserves credit for its lasting achievements. |
