The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-11
Nhe 8erala AMI 0ews,
ALLIASCE LEADERS MEET.

Conference Of Presidents and Committee
men-President Polk Fayors the Peo-
pies Party-J. F. Tilman OPP
poses the Idea.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, May 3.-Fifteen
States are represented at the meeting
of Alliance presidents and executive
committeeman which convened here
to-day. Mr.. Macune was taken i'll just
before the meeting convened and was
unable to leave his room.
President Polk called the meeting to
order and made long speech, saying
that he had expected such meeting as
this for two years. His speech, while
conservative, was favored with strong
Third party sentiment. He called on
all the Alliance presidents to render an
account Of their stewardship, and IN
turn each president arose and told OF
the growth Of the organization in their
respective districts, its drawbacks and
needs in his State.
). F. Tillman, of Tennessee, men,
ber of the National executive board,
was outspoken, and talked to the
point. He said this conference would
not become Third party meeting, or
s. landslide, as some called it, into the
Peoples party, because it would be
contrary to every principle Of the or
ganization as originally designed, and
it would be clearly unconstitutional.
An attempt to throw it in the Ihlrd
PARTY would be considered political
and partisan effort.
In reply to questions, Mr.. Tillman
continued: "I have become tired OF
designing gentlemen trying to convert
an original grand organization into
political machine, for their own selfish
purposes. Every member OF the entire
order should know that it is strictly un-
constitutional, because it is in direct
opposition to the solemn obligation ne
took before he could become member.
He was assured that this organization
would not couhict with his political or
religious views, and no man could ever
become a member unless he had taken
this oath. This conference has as
much right to interfere with the
churches. to which hundreds of thous-
and of Alliancemen belong, as to inter-
fere with their political rights. Tne
presidents and executive committee
men here have met for the good OF the
organization, and have no power on
earth to attempt to fetter and shackie
its members hand and foot, and de-
liver them souls and body to the Third
party. This would be more than a
Southern member could bear HIS
liberty would be at stake. No such de-
ception and fraud shall be practlceo
upon innocent Alliance members
They have never taken an obligation
to support any such acton oy 1e"
designing, self-constituted Third party
leaders. They will never be captured
in such o manner, and every member
is left free to think and act for himself
and vote with whatever political party
he believes will best advance good gov
eminent"
Among others who spoke were:
Sledge of Texas, Corput of Georgia,
Adams of Alabama, Baskln of Florida,
CLAYTON ofLouisiana, Leonard of Mis-
sousi, Lyer of Mississippi, Gardner of
Kentucky, Mcdowell of Tennessee, and
many others. Several Of them boldly
favored an independent political ac-
ton, and all showed that the Alliance
was constantly growing.
The hearing of these reports occu-
pied the entire morning and evening
sessions. At no time was there a
direct issue on politics whereby the
strength of those favoring and those
opposing the Third party could be dis
played.
At to-night's meeting G. w. Macune,
who was able to attend, having re-
covered from his sickness, opened with
a long speech, counselling harmony
and cooperation and Indirectly con-
demning political or partisan action.
At to-day's session resolution was
passed ordering that special watch be
kept on newspaper men to see that
they got nothing.
1t was expected that Third party
resolutions would come up this after
noon, but they did not, and strong
efforts are being made to prevent any
political action being taken.
President Polk openly says now that
all true Alliancemen will vote for the
full Peoples party ticket to be nomi-
mated at Omaha.
The Alliance meeting adjourned to-
night, after Macunehad finished speak
ing, until tomorrow.
THE ALLIANCE NoN-PoL1TIcAL.
So Declared by the Birmingham Confer
ence Proposed Affiliation with the