The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-17
MILLS AND THE FARMERS.
HE TELLS WHY HE CAN'T sUPPoRT
THE ALLIANCE BILL.

To do so, He Thinks, Would Compel
Abandonment Of His Democratic
Principles-He Would Rather Retire
to Private Life Than Go Back on His
Party.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Benjamin Ter
rel Of Texas, national lecturer of the
National Farmers Alliance, came out to-
day with the announcement that the alIi-
ance crop warehouse bill must be passed by
this congress or the next House would be
filed with elliancemen. Nevertheless, Mr..
Mills Of Texas is out in letter to the alli-
ancemen in his district, published in the
National Democrat, condemning the crop
warehouse bill and pointing out that tariff
reform Is what the farmers need.
HOW MILLS WINDS UP.
MIR. Mills concludes his letter thus: 'It
is painful to me to decline to support any
measure urged on me by my CO .stituents.
l am deeply sensible at all times Of th q
gratitude owe them. They have con
terred upon me honors and distinctions be-
yond my merits. They have supported me
with unwavering fidelity through long
public service, and it would be a great
pleasure to me to represent them again IL
can do so as democrat, standing on q
democratic platform and aiding 10 carry
ing out democratic principles, which |
believe to be necessary to perpetuate ths
blessings of free government.
A CONTINGENCY IN WHICH HE MUST RETIRE.
"But il my constituents have grown
weary OF democrstic principles, weary Of
hearing the words OF jefferson demanding
equal and exact justice to all mem as q
Fundamental condition of free government:
If they want TO embark In class legislation
and inaugurate a war Of interests and OF
classes; IL they want TO surrender their
private business to the control of a central
lied government q thousand miles away
from them; IL they have lost faith in their
capacity to govern themselves better than
they can be covered by others; IL they have
ceased to believe that the govern
ment is best that governs the
least, or, as Samuel j. Tilden
most happily expressed it. The general gov.
ernment should not do for the state what
the state can do for itself, and no govern
mont should do for the citizen what he
should do for himself then l must z i've
place to another.
TOO TRUE TO BE A TURN-coAT.
81 am too old to change the convictions
of a lifetime. am democrat because
believe the great sum Of woes which human.
ity suffers comes from disregard of demo-
cratic principles. lam democrat because
believe that the happiness and
prosperity of ourselves and our
children depend upon the triumph
of the principles which were declared by
Jeffel elson and supported by Madison, Mon
roe, jackson, Van Buren,, Polk, Pierce,
Buchanan, and Grover Cleveland. nave
given the best years of my life to my state.
have served her faithfully in war and in
peace. / have never done an act that my
convictions told me was detrimental to hsr
interest. ! am too old to be tempted by any
position TO abandon post Of duty or prove
rec-eant 10 public trust. can afford to
retire to private life, but cannot sfford to
snare the guilt Of participating in an act
that will bring distress and suffering to
millions of my fellow citizens"
M'oUNE BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
The legislative committee of the national
farmers alliance appeared before the Senate
committee on agriculture and forestry this
afternoon, and through Chairman McCune
made an argument in support of the bill
authorizing the issue of notes upon con-
signments Of grain in public warehouses.