The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-04-23

its own Candidates.
BALTIMORE, April 15.-IIon. w. Il.
Willets, of Kansas, the lecturer of the
National Farmers Alliance, was in
Baltimore yesterday.
Mr.. Nillets has recently been at work
in the interest OF the alliance in New
Jersey, and cane over from Washing
ton on his way to the eastern shore.
lie will address the local alliance at
Royal Oak, Talbert county, this after
noon and will spend tomorrow with
Mr.. II. d. Bradley, the lecturer of the
Maryland State Alliance, at his resi-
dence, Linchester, Carroll county.
Mr.. Willetts is one of the alliance
leaders and among the most conspi-
cuous members of the movement. lie
was for a long time thoroughly identi-
lied with the Kansas alliance before he
was elected lecturer of the National
Alliance, and no man in the organiZa-
tlOn has more abundant faith In its
possibilities for the future or can speak
more advisedly than he AS to what it is
and what 1t will be. Last fall he was
the alliance candidate for governor of
Kansas, but was defeated by very
narrow margin, and was subsequently,
prominetly spoken of as candidate for
United States senator to succeed Sena-
tor ingalls, in the legislature which
elected Judge Pfeffer. He is a farmer
In the strictest sense. has never beer
anything else, believes that the farm ers
have brains enough to take care of this
country, and has no higher ambition
than to see the triumph of the cause
which they are SO vigorously advocat-
ing.
The only time he has ever left his
farm was when he canvassed his State
for governor, and then he hired man
to run the farm for him, and went into
the fight with the same energy and
fidelity which he had devoted to his
agricultural interests.
MIR. Willetts 10 a tall, squarely built,
sturdy looking man, with a full beard
he ls Enthusiastically man of solid sense
and Judgment, and speaks unreservedly
and pleasantly upon the work in which
he is 50 deeply interested.
"Talk TO you about the Farmers Alli-
ance? Why, certainly" he said, with a
smile. "There is nothing about it which
you should not know; it has no secrets,
except few pass words, that I need
keep from you. What do you want to
know?"
There has been a great deal said since
the election last fall" suggested the
American reporter, "by men of both
political parties, by big men and little
men, about the purpose of the alliance
and Its possible disintegration or alb
sorption by one of the two political Or
ganiZatiOns. Is there any foundation
for such belief?"
"None whatever. The Farmers Alli-
ance is not thing of to-day; not thing
to be blown aside or frightened to death
by Democrats or Republicans. 1t is a
permanent factor, and will be speedily
recognized as such by those who haye
yet Jailed to learn IT."
"Then you mean that it is destined to
become a distinct party organization ="
Il do not say that; but do say that
1t will not be a tail to the Democratic or
Republican kite, nor be dominated by
any partisan influence"
what will be it's probable policy to
make its influence most powerfully
felt?"
"Our platform, boiled down, is simply
this: Equal justice to all, special privi-
leges to none, more money and less
misery" That is our starting point.
We will preach the gospel according to
the new dispensatlon and baptize in
the Jordan of intelligence. We are
with the people, the people are with us,
If you ask whence comes my belief,
answer, from that which we have al
ready done and the power that 1 know
is within us to do
"Will the alliance hold strictly to their
two leading pri' ,Iples, the free coinage
Of silver and the sub-treasury plan?"
Most undoubtedly. We may make
some change in the sub-treasury plan
as 1t stands now. DO not misunder-
stand me. don't mean change in
the way of taking any step backward,
but to perfect it and make it better for
the farmer than it is now"
"What will be the position of the
alliance in the next presidential eltc.
ton"
1--WE will never vote for any candi-
date, Democrat or Republican, on a
platform opposed to the free coinage
of silver"
"Then Mr.. Cleveland will not find
much comfort in the alliance?"
1--WE will not touch him under any
circumstances
"At this distance what forecast can
you make Of the next national cam
paign. more especially as to the atti-
tude of the two old parties?'
"The Democrats will nominate
Cleveland; the Republicans will nomi-
nate Blaine if he will be candidate.
If he will not, Harrison seems the next
most likely man."
"And as to the platforms?"
.Ihey Will both be against the free
coinage of silver"
"Then We come back to the original
Prooposition-what will the Alliance
1--WE will not support any candidate,
except on the st. Louis platform"
"And that means third candidate p''
Eyes. think there is bound to be a
third candidate, think he will be
nominated by the Citizens Alliance
which Is distinctly political organiZa
tion."
"And the Alliance will endorse him p"
eyes, if they nominate on our st.
Louis platform, as think they will.
They accept that platform, and we will
not support any candidate who is not
in accord with it,"
IF that can be accomplished In no
other way, then it is probable the alli-
ance will nominatep"
Yes; it Is not improbable"
AZ -. lIaAz