The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-18
WHO is RIGHT?
Mr.. TiLLMAN'S VIEWS OF THE
MATTER.
Says the Farmers Alliance Will Not
Support the Action of beCin-
cinnati Convention.

!: i. ! !: !: j: /;
KING to
AN0 the question of wheth
N er or not the Farm
A ers' Alliance is sup
GE q porting the Cincin-
.$&AG natl conventionA says
| 3J% a recent press dis
patch from Washing
ton City, Mr.. Tillman, Secretary Of
the National Executive Board of the
Farmers Alliance, said:
"The National Farmers Alliance is
not supporting the action taken by the
Cincinnati Convention
"How was the Cincinnati Conven-
ton called
"It was called by Mr.. Powers, of
Indiana, who is neither State nor
national officer of the Farmers Alli-
ance, and absolutely without authority
from the National Alliance for such
action"
"Did not the Farmers Alliance
send delegates3"
| "Not by authority or consent of its
national officers. I am told delegates
were sent there by State Alliances from
only two States, and I doubt if they
were sent there On basis of representa-
ton. The Citcinnati Convention ap-
pointed committee to confer with
Alliance men on 22d of February
next"
"What, in your opinion, will be the
outcome of that conference In regard
to the subject of a third party move
ment?"
"I do not know the shape political
affairs may take by that time, but I
am of the opinion that the two old
parties will so endeavor to meet the
demands of the farmers that there will
be no necessity for a third party
"Suppose neither of them does?"
"Then / believe large majority of
the members of the Alliances in the
country will remain with their respect
i've parties
"Will the National Alliance, as a
party, undertake third party move
ment in your opinion?''
"The National Farmers Alliance
is not a political party. But in answer
to your question would say it will not,
because it is non-partisan. Farmers Of
all political parties can become men,
bers of the Farmers Alliance
"What is the Farmers Alliance,
Mr.. Tillman?"
s'It is the greatest and grandest or
ganization on earth. 1t means the
greatest good to the greatest number,
and is absolutely determined to have
exact justice to all, and special favors
to none. We have, standing together,
from five to eight millions in co-opera
ton, and have more members than
any organization known to history,
and the order is becoming more pow
erful every day."
"You say it is not a political party
sort of a missionary society or Sal
vation Army, suppose?"
"It is missionary enough to prevent
a few monopolists from controlling
everything, and is Salvation enough
to save this country. The farming and
laboring people are fast coming to
know how to stick together and what
organization means. They have the
numbers and can control politics; that
is, take it from the hands of the few
and place it back in the hands of the
many. We are rapidly burying all
! sectional jealousies and sectional strife
in the interests of the classes who feed
and clothe the world"
"You said before, sthe Farmers Al
lance is absolutely non-partisan.' You
say now, 'they have the numbers and
can control politics. What do you
mean?"
GAS an organization, mean it is
absolutely non-partisan; but its num-
bers are sufficiently great in the two
old parties to enable the Alliances to
capture both, and control them to re-
lieve the oppressed farming and labor
ing people,
''If that IS the purpose OF the Farm
ers' Alliance, do you mean to say that
it is not a political organization1"
"The Farmers Alliance sprung into
life from the necessities of more than
three -fourths of our people. The Ma
tional Farmers Alliance cannot be-
come political party, because it is
composed of members of all political
parties, and there is no party slgni6-
canoe in it. But in answer to your
question, I may say there is big polit-
ical signli ,ance in it, but not party
political significance.
"Then there are not likely to be
any immediate developments by your
organization for a third party move
ment?"
"Certainly not"
"Then the Alliance will not put out
ticket this fall1'
"None whatever"
| A New York State paper says that
Lieut.. Gov. Jones has the support and
control of the Farmers Alliance in his
canvass for the Governorship of tha,
State. is that a tact1"
"There is not word Of truth in it.
The Lieutenant Governor cannot con-
troll the Alliance, nor have anything
to do with it,
"Suppose he should become a mem.
Der. With the familiar legend oi
Zones, he pays the freight 1 suppose
he has endeared himself to the farmer
class, and, if he SO desired, might be