The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-07-01
What DR.. Stokes Saws.

DR.. Stokes was interviewed by the
World correspondent at this place in
reference to the above. The following
is what he said: He did not know why
be had been so unceremoniously left
out, and that be has not yet received
and does not expect an explanation OF
the why and wherefore of the matter
Any explanation along this line would
have to come from other sources, as he
certainly bad none, nor knew of any to
give.
In answer to other questions, DR..
Stokes said: II had some intimation of
this gathering, but did not know when
it would come off. I really expected
to be notified, but no notification ever
came, and l did not know that the meet
ing had been held until l saw some men
tion of it in one or more of the daily
papers.
"The views of those who discussed
the matter of the establishment of an
out and out administration paper with
me, beforehand, seemed to recognize
the difference between the Farmers
movement and the Alliance. They
drew the same distinction between the
State Alliance organ and paper de-
signed to defend the Reform admins
tration. 1t was recognized as very desi-
rable that there should be daily paper
in Columbia, fully ;sympathizing with
the administration and capable as well
as willing to defend its actions-or at
any rate, to- see that its actions were
fairly presented to the public. This
function The Cotton Plant was not in
position to perform, even if it were
within the scope Of its purposes. Its
field is the advocacy of Alliance prin-
ciples along lines Of political economy
not the defense of any party or fac
tion. 1t is at liberty to comment upon
current events, and does so, whenever
it sees proper: out that is no p .rt OF it's
duty except as its duty is TO do the
right snd see that the right is done,
Consequently there could he no conflict
between The Cotton Plant and such a
paper as I understood Was under con-
temptation.
81 certainly think that such a paper
as I have indicated above would be
very desirable, and in fact. almost ne
cessary to the fair presentation of the
actions and purposes OF the Reformers
in Office
''Do you not think, Doctor Stokes,
that the fact OF the Cotton Plant advo-
eating the demands of the Ocala plat
form, and especially the sub treasury
idea, while Governor Tillman and oth-
ers of the dominant element oppose the
sub-treaeury scheme, absolutely pre-
vents the realization of any hope that
the Cotton Plant could ever become the
organ OF the present Administration" ?"
DR.. Stokes replied that he did not
thlLk so, though The Cotton Plant had
never asptred TO that position. think,
said he, that there would be no more
improperly in our occupying that rela-
ton than there would be IN an anti
silver Democratic paper occupying the
same relation, for the great majority of
the Democratic party are pronounced
in favor of free silver. In my Judg-
ment d sub-treasury Democrat is as
about aa good a Democrat as an anti
silver Democrat"
SIS it not somewhat more than proba-
ble,'' ! asked, that the chef function
of the proposed organ, by the June con-
ference, would be to boom certain men
for future political ,preferment?"
"Well, while such a paper might be
used in that way, in my judgement the
controlling motive in the minds of those
at the conference, in It's establishment
was to secure for the friends of reform
fair statement of what was being
done by the exponents of reform in Col
umbia."
What, in your opinion, will be the
effect OF the present fractional fight
among the leaders of the Reform eie
ment: for do you not regard this con-
ference as naug ght else but throwing of