Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-04-29
MR.. TERRELL OF TEXAS,
HE SPEAKS AT THE COURT
HOUSE TODAY.
The Alliance Orator of the Lone
star state GaIIes Good Talk OH
the Delnands-TO speak Again
Tonight to the H-abOrers.

/
There was a very good gathering o.
farmers and others in the court house
this morning at II O'Clock, to hear Ben
Terrell, the alliance orator OF Texas
talk on the alliance.
The meeting was called to order by
Gen. K. B. Vance and j. S. Bell, state
senator from Clay county was called Ia
the chair. He introduced the speaker.
Mr.. Terrell said he wanted to
talk in way that would not provoke
prejudice and wanted the audience to hear
with minds from all prejudice. He was
he said, believer in the alliance and
was not able to see any way out OF the
present difficulties except by education
expressing himself as opposed to agita-
tions or prejudices, and stating that the
only way to discuss the alliance is to
present its demands. He denied that
the farmers want to break up the mcr.
chants, but said what they want is a
free competitive market. He could not
conceive OF an interest that would be
hurt by bencfitting the farmer.
POLITICS.
AS to politics, he said that the farmer
is more interested in the country than
any other class and has a right to discuss
matters in which he is interested. He
said that the cry that the alliance will
break up the parties is foolish one, and
it is a poor admission for party to say
that when the farmer becomes intelli-
gent enough TO see his condition it will
hurt the party.
ut is," continued Mr.. Terrell, a well
understood fact that the amount OF
money and produce on hand controls
the price OF produce and the farmer
should educate the people on them and
let them then vote conscicntiously and
intelligently.
"Here is an organization that has
nothing to do with partisan politics.
Each man may vote for himself and the
onl /" object is to educate him so as to
vote intelligently. II your party is for
the right government for ALL then edu-
cation of the masses will help it, but il
the party is afraid of education, am op-
posed to the party.
LAND OWNERSHIP.
"The first demand we made is in regard
to the ownership OF laud. We want thy
government to prohibit corporations
from owning land except what is ncces.
essary to transact their business. Here
tofore the laboring men have been divided
by party lines and the money power has
| ruled. but we intend that it shall be dill
terent. We do not want to discuss party
politics, but to do what is best tor the
home. The Alliance is not afraid of any
party The only way you can get the
farmers vote in 1892 is to convince us
that your measures are the best for the
farmers and for all classes.
THE next demand is in regard to taxa
ton. Don't you believe that all proper
ty should be taxed? We want equal
and Just taxation, and only what is ne
cessary for the government. Ii YOU are
not in favor of this we'll not vote for
you in '92. would not care for party
that says it is in favor of us and then
that would tell ME she loved me and then
not let me kiss her. We will not seek for
any party, but for the right.
TRANSPORTATION.
81 now come to another question. The
control OF transportation, so as to free it
from oppression. The railroads are pub
lie highways and there should
be no discrimination in rates. This
is great evil and has got to stop,
The transportation lines OF this country
should not have any more than a good
dividend on their capital. The next de
mand is in regard to money. 1t is ma
tural for the farmer, in mnking demands
on this question, to make them radical,
| He proposes to make money the servant
and not the master. He wants the gov
ernment, when it makcsa dollar to make
it worth dollar and not to have differ
ent values for different dollars. If you
will show us that this is unjust, we will
withdraw it, but we want arguments
| and not assertions. Our next demand is
| for the government to make the circula-
tion $50 per capita. The public debt
is as great now as in 1860, be-
cause OF the depreciation OF products
Notwithstanding the fact that much of
the debt has been paid off. Ought not the
government to increase the circulation,
so as to counteract the effect of the con.
traction of the power of the dollar
| Money is not now distributed fairly.
All we ask is to make a basis for the
distribution of money. This is the sub
treasury plan. want criticism on this
and am willing to debate it throughout
the state with any man. | want to dis
cuss the sub-treasury bill. They say the
government has no right to become a
pawn shop, but whisky is taken in bond,
40 are also silver bullion and gold
bullion. If you establish home
storage OF products, you will
destroy all combines and speculations in
the products and will help the farmer.
As it is the farmers have to sell their
grain as soon as possible, and, therefore,
the market is glutted and the price is put
down, but by the sub-treasury storage
plan this will be alleviated.
"The farmers are not all good, nor is
any other class of men, but the entire
class is not to be condemned by the acts
of few. A man should not be elected
to Office or rejected because of his party
relations, but every man should vote tor
the best nan for the place"
Mr.. Terrell spoke tor about two hours
and on conclusion was given a vote Of
thanks by the audience. He will speak
again tonight to the laboring men and
those who could not attend in the day
time. This afternoon he addressed the al
lance men in secret session and tomor
row will organize the district alliance.