The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-01-16
wILLETs OF KANSAS, THE NATIONAL
LECTURER OF THE NATIONAL
FARMERS ALLIANCE.

Hon. J. E. willetts, of Kansas, is q obarac-
ter worth studying.
His name was one Of those m ST often
heard ut the National Alliance Convention
in Ooala. He is rigid refvrmsr and a
stra' ghtoat third party man, but for al that
rs modest, unassum,ng gentleman ss one
need hope to find.
Although he was n 4 a candidate, he de-
feated Ben Terrell, of Texas, for the position
of National Lecturer Of the Farmers ALI.
ance. and he is expected TO defeat John j..
Ingalls, for the United States Senate. His
election as Lecturer wes said to DO in recog-
milton of the 6gh, 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 - MIR.
Willetts, this is about the complexion of the
Legislature in Kansas: SO are necessary
10 elect; 81 were elected on the peoples
ticket aad are openly and squarely pledged
against ingalls, there are 13 Democrats be-
sides these in the House aud three or four
in the Senate who are very apt to prefer the
peoples candidate to the soured South
bater.
Mr.. Willetts served in the legislature in
1871 and 1873, and this covers his entire
political experience, previous 10 his great
race for Governor. The Legislature of 1878
sent ingalls, TO the Senate, but Willetts re-
tains tho proud recollection of having voted
against him.
In reply toa question as to his early
%SSsnen!s 10 Tie ,sss1Es sld MIR W!l!ssi eta
'a"I am farmer. tand I must 70 homo and
get thugs SO fixed up thatI can leave. l
had no idea iu tho world of icing made
National Lec'urer, and I'm not quite ready
for it. fil the place of q regular hand on
my farm, and some disposal must be made
Of the work tba, would do before can
leave. Then will consult President Polk
and other Alliance leaders, aud start out on
my rounds
Chow do you account for your election to
the position of Lecturer without your having
any designs on the Officer"
"Well, suppose it was a compiimen mt 10
Kansas and q sort Of compliment to what
had done in guiding the Kansas movem cnt."
"You are strong peoples party man p
~ 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 Thought
"wiIl you advocate the third or peoples
party in your lectures to the farmers
throughout the country?''
81 will try not meution the word party
at NIL. The doctrines Of the Alliance ex-
clude partisan politics, and will steer as
clear of them as / can. or course, 1 will
discuss oil the measures before the people.
and it is but natural that as ] am people 9
party man, my speeches should, TO somo ex-
tent, reflect my sentiments"
Mr.. Wille'ts spent the first twenty-five
years Of his life in a lanyard in the State of
Ind ana. For the last twenty three years
he has been n farmer in Kansas. He was q
Republican before he reformed and became
an advocate of equal rights to all classes.
He impressed me as typical farmer, plain,
honest, fearless-willing to stand in his
place and fight like man for the cause he
believes to be right.-CLAUpE N. BENNETT,
tn Atlanta Journal.