The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-05-14
cultural States by the disastrous financial
policy Of the past.

want the tariff reformed, and We are too
afraid of the negro to run off into any
third party"
(Which of these questions do you con-
slider of the greatest Importance" I
asked. The reply was prompt:
"The financial question, undoubtedly.
It is of more pressing import to us than
the tariff. We can stand the tariff q
while longer, but more money we must
have and at once. It seems to me, how.
ever, that ne can afford to neglect Meth.
er the financial or the tariff issue. They
are both of overwhelming importance,
and they will not down. Least of all
could ne afford to relegate the free silver
issue to the rear"
Speaking of the
sUB-TREAsURY BILL,
Governor Tillman said:
ri am opposed TO the measure. want
something BETTER and that something
better I believe to be what I have
already suggested-the free coinage of
silver combined with the issuance of
greenbacks either on the Governments
own credit or on land. The sub-treasury
bill violates the Alliance doctrine of
Equal rights to all, special privileges to
none.' don't believe that two wrongs
can make right, and because farmers
have been systematically and outrageous
ly imposed on in the past is no reason
why they should demand class legislation
for their own benefit now.
"My opinion is that the majority of the
] farmers of the State are not in favor of
the sub.treasury bill, though in that
opinion differ from some of the Alliance
leaders. The reason no opposition has
| been developed to it inside the Alliance
in this State is that it has never been
made square issue. In any contest with
an Allianceman advocating the sub.
| treasury and non-Allianceman oppos-
ing 1t, the sub.treasury would be pretty
sure to win, but as between two Alliance
men, both loyal to the Order, one oppos-
ing and the other supporting the sub
treasury, believe the anti-sub- treasury
man would get as many votes as the
other. In other words, where Alliance
men have the subject presented to them
clearly and are allowed to. vote without
the interference of prejudice, I believe
the majority of them would 60 against
the measure.
"However," continued the Governor,
"I don't believe the Alliance can afford
to split on the sub-treasury. They will
hunt something better rather than at
tempt to force it down the throats of the
very large section of the Order opposed
to it. They must agree to disagree as to
details in order to achieve the great
reforms at which they are all aiming"
FUTURE OF THE ALLIANCE.
"What of the future of the Alliance?"
I asked Governor Tillman.
"It is hard to say, utitseems to me the
Order has great future. Even when
its political reforms have been secured,
there is its business organization to hold
it together. Already the Order has done
vast good, not only in affording direct
relief to the farmers, as in the jute bag
ging fight and through cooperative
stores, etc., but by teaching them the
secret of acting together, of cooperation.
| It has shown the farmers that they can
do something when united, and that
without unity they are helpless.
"There is one danger the Alliance will
have to guard against" said the Cover.
nor, "and that is the individuals who
would use the Alliance vote for their
selfish ends. The rank and file of the
| Order will have to relegate to the rear
those leaders who would attempt to
enforce unanimity; to measure men by g
'yardstick,' and ostracise or e1pel all who
refuse to do their bidding"
AN INTERVIEW WITH TALBERT.
After my interview with Governor
Tillmau. I met Col. WI. Talbert, super
intendent Of the Penitentiary and lectur-
er of the State Alliance, whose utterances
on the subject Of the third party have
been widely quoted and have attracted
attention outside the State. Col. Talbert
has been quoted as advocating the third
party movement, and ! asked him to tell
me exactly what bis position was.
"In the first place." said Col. Talbert,
"I am Democrat, was born Democrat,
and have been one all my life. don't
think anybody in this State will attempt
to impeach my Democracy. My idea Of
the principles of the Alliance is that they
are the principles OF the Democracy; /;
that there is nothing inconsistent in
being both an Allianceman and Demo-
crat. Our Order is political, but not
partisan, and in its ranks men of both
parties are fighting for reforms, without,
however, renouncing their party allegi-
ance. We propose to endorse for Con-
gress, or for the Senate, or for President
only men who will advocate the reforms
we demand, but we will make our fight
in the primaries or conventions, as the
case may be, and will abide the voice OF
the majority of the party, whether it is
for or against the Alliance candidate.
"Now, as to third party, I want to
say this: 1 am opposed to it, unless we
find that the reforms we advocate cannot
be brought about in any other way. II
they cannot, then there will be time
enough to decide on q course of action.
1t might be that third party would be
found to be the best, or it might not. I
have never crossed bridge before I got
to it, -ode horse faster than it could 60,