The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-01-16
WILLETS OF KANSAS. THE NATIONAL
IE.sS vr InE HhrIUNAL
FARMERS ALLIANCE.

Hon. J Z. wiIletts, Of Kansas, is cbarsc-
ter worth stuiy!ng.
His nsms was one Of those IN s.. often
heard ut the National Alliance Convention
in Ocsls. He is q rigid refvrmsr and a
stra ghtout third party man, but for a that
rs modest, una.sumng gentleman IS one
need hope to find.
Although he was n I a candidate, he de-
fea,ed Ben Terrell, Of Texas, for the position
OF National 'c-.-.>. ,ue rarmers Ali
ance. and he is expected TO defeat John J.
Ingalls, for the Unitei States Senate. His
election as Lecturer was said to be in recog-
Dirion OF The fight that he made as the
leader Of the peoples movement and to a..
sist him in his contest with ingalls,. All the
Kansas delegation declare that Ingalls, could
ea-ier jump the Atlantic Ocean than leap
again into The Senate. According t. MIR.
Willetts, this is about the complexion of the
Legislature in Kansas: SO are necessary
TO elect; 81 were elected on the peoples
ticket and are openly and squaroly pledged
against Ing Ills /; there are l3 Democrats be-
sides these in the House aud three or four
in the Senate who are very apt TO prefer the
peop'e's candidate to the soured South
batter.
Mr.. Willetts served i'm the Legislature in
1871 and 1873, and this covers bis entire
political exi erience, previous TO his great
racs for Governor. The Legislature of 1878
sent ingalls, TO the Senate, but Willetrs re-
tains the proud recollection of having voted
against him.
In reply to a question as to his early
movements in the lecture field, Mr.. Willets
..I am farmer, hod must 20 home and
get thugs 50 fixed up that can leave. l
had no idea in the world cf Icing made
National Lee urer, and I'm not quite ready
for it. | fiji the place of a regular hand on
my farm, and some disposal must be made
of the work tha, | would do before can
leave. Then will consult President Polk
and ether Alliance leaders, aud start out on
my rounds
GLOW do you account for your election to
the position of Lecturer without your having
any designs on the Office"
"Well, suppose it was compliment 10
Kansas and sort Of comp 'iment to what l
had done in guiding the Kansas movement"
"luu are strong poop e's party man 2
IL made my race on that ticket. believe
it is the right ticket, and that it will win in
the end"
MIR. Willetts reply to the next question
furnishes food for thrught.
evil you advocate the third or peoples
party in your lectures to the farmers
thrLughiut the country?'
al will try not 20 mention the word party
nj oil. The doctrines of the Alliance ex-
cludc partisan POLITICS, and l will steer as
clear of them as l can. OF course, | will
discuss all the measures before tho people,
and it is but natural that rs am people 5
party man, my speeches should, 10 somc ex-
tent, reflect my sentiments"
MIR. Wille;ts spent the first twenty-five
years Of his 'ifc in \ lanyard in the State of
Ind ana. For The last twenty-three years
he has been II farmer in Kansas. lie was a
Republic before he reformed and became
nm advocate of equal rights to all classes.
IL impressed me rs n Typical farmer, plain,
honest, fearle-s-wrlling to stand in his
place and fight like q man for the cause he
believes to be right.-CLAUpE n. BENNETT,
| in Atlanta JoUrndi