The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1891-05-26
rEFfea,s P~REoIcTiohs.
Tho fkansss senator raiss OF the APP
prosecuting Alliance Convention.

prosecuting Alliance Convention.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. May 49,
Senator PETER, Of Kansas, the Farmers'
Alliance representative and successor of
John j. Inaalls. talks In a rather iuter-
esting way about the coming conference
10 Cincinnati, which will be held on the
10th inst. Dir. PETER, In the FIRST place,
declares that the reports which allege an
attenpt OF Socialists aud A~narchiststo
capture the Cincinnati Convention are
prompted by politicians, who are trying
In advance TO discredit the gatherings.
He admits that In the matter of decora-
tions there may be something leaning In
that direction, but he denies that any
thing OF an unpatriotic or A~narchlstic
character will be said or done.
Senator PETER then goes on to ex-
plain that those of his belief do not pro-
pose.to destroy anything, but rather to
build up and defend. They do not wish
to compel the rich to give up all that
they have, but to devise some way by
which the poor can be relieved. The
one purpose OF the Convention, he says,
will be TO benefit the condition OF the
distressed, aud no wandering Off on side
issues Is To be permitted. All classes
OF labor are now working under disad-
vantages, Mr.. PETER believes, and this
Is especially true OF the farmers. The
heavily mortgaged farms and the ruin
GUS rates of interest which eat up all the
farmers substance are a crying evil
which Senator PETER proposes to deal
with by suggesting to the Convention a
scheme Of refundlng such as that adopted
by railroad corporations and other busi-
ness concerns.
In explaining how this is to be effected
Senator PETER gets around to the Alli-
ance idea. of governmental relief, be.
cause, as he is compelled TO admit, pri-
vate individuals will not accept lower
rates Of interest than those now ruling.
He argues that there has been q steady
contraction of the circulating medium
for nine years past, and that the Gov
eminent should print or coin. it makes
no difference which, about $1,000, 000,-
900 to make up for this great loss to the
people. The creation or production of
80 great a sum would, according to the
Alliance idea, give relief to those OPP
pressed by debt, and to distribute it
where it would do the most good loan
agencies controlled by tho Federal au-
thorities are to be established in all tho
States. The absorption of the new
money by the richer classes, or those
unworthy of it, is to be prevented by an
investigation of the circumstances of
those applying for relief.
A farmer who is struggling or under a
mortgage on which he is compelled to
pay a high rate of interest to private cred
itors will come to the United States loan
agency and be able to pay of his mort
gage by securing n new loau from the
Government for l or 2 per cent per an
mum, giving his property as security
therefor, and getting al extension of
time that will save him from force iosure.
Under the present condition of affairs,
Senator PETER claims that a farmer can
not hope to pay more than his interest,
which in some cases is &, 10 and even
Is per cent. Witha | per cen rate from
the Government he would have a chance
to get clear in n reasonable number OF
years and becomes free owner.
Mammoth mass meetings in all parts
OF the country arc TO be inaugurated
during the coming summer to agitate this
question, which the Cincinnati Conven-
ton. Mi. PETER hopes, will make prom
inent. In regard to- the formation of q
Third Party, the Senator from Kansas
says that nothing ofthe kind Is intended
at present. He declares there will be
no discussion of candidate OR of a party
platform at Cincinnati. That question
will be postponed until a later day, and
the Convention will content itself with
issuing an address to the people, plead
ing ior relief from debt at usurious in
terest which adds to the wealth OF the
EMPLOYER and LIST and leaves moth.
ing for the employee or debtor. Not
outstanding Senator Pefler's expressed
confidence in the limited line of discus
sion which he has marked out for the
ClncinLa Convention, there arc many
who expect the gathering to branch out
into other fields of thought opposed to
the present order of things, politically
and socially, and preparations are being
made to have special'reports of the meet
ing that will have something besides a
cut and dried version, which it is the
evident intention of those in control to
supply.