The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-05-25
SENATOR BUTLER ANSWERS THE Al
LANCE.

lance it was made my duty by resolution to
PROFOUND the following questions to all can
didates, and request written answer TO
same, and as you are candidate for the
United States Senate, | submit them to you
and would be pleased TO hear from you in
regard to same at your earliest convenience {:
First. Will you discuss tho Alliance
demands in the coming campaign, particu-
larly those relating to the finances of the
country, and defend them against the
enemies of our order?
Second. Will you lodge loyalty to the
demands OF the Nation,. Farmer, Alliance
and Industrial Union, above loyalty 10 party
caucus, and vote against any and al candi-
dates who decline to commit themselves to
this extent?
"Yours respectfully,
TIIOS. T. MITCHELL,
Chairman Executive Com +. 5. \. Pc
Takiug up the questions Of your lc'teri II
their order, beg TO say in rcSponc to the
first, will discuss any public question the
people may desire to have discussed, and as
the Finances Of the country are legitimate
and proper subjects for discussion, | will
discuss them with pleasure and without
reserve. | will refer more fully to the las I
point of your inquiry, whether | will "dr
fend thei" against the enemies of our your
order, when | come TO discuss nc Alliance
platform. | don't quite understand, how
ever, whether you mcaL TO ask me whether
l will defend the finances of the country
against the enemies of your order or the
Finances of the country aS proposed by
the Alliance. | assume you mean the latter.
Replying to your scconi question, | beg
to say that i'll my political life have never
allowed any caucus, OF Cic'y, OF urgtuiZL-
tion, to bind my conscience, and shall not
so m mo I'm 81 ia
or organizations of any kind. which seek to
bind the political conscience of any free
American citizen, arc i'll my judgment,
lnimical to that freedom of cor science and
political action so essential TO the prcservu-
tion of the republican institutions. | have
attended many caucuscs of the Democratic
party, to which belong; have never
heard the suggestion that any mans con-
science. or political action should be bound
by them. | never 50 far surrender my in
dividual judgment as to be- houG. l> any
caucus. am loyal to the principles of the
Democratic party, and shall maintain that
loyalty so long rs il adhercs H. principles |
think conducive TO the best interests of the
people, not day longer. have been
under the impression that the Farmers Alu-
ancc was not a political organization, but IN
"lndustrlal Union for the protection Of the
farmers against im!ositious from other
sources do not he ievc in secret political
organizations, we had u sad experience some
years ago with them. Whatever Concerns
the political welfare Of our people should he
open tn the fullest, frvcs,, most public dis
cussion. In order to prevent impo>itions on
the people, the Fight must be turned on
from al points OF view. recognize no
master in this country, except the people.
Caucus rule should not be allowed to u>urp
the rule Of the people. | will therefore
say viii pledge my loyalty to the demands
Of the Alliance, so far rs they meet the de
msnds of my judgment, aud cannot hold
them above loyalty to party caucus, because
! make no pledges to party caucuses," and
-ieny the right of party caucuses." or any
other caucuscs to command pledges from me
TO surrender my conscience and judgment TO
its dctation.
Coming now TO the dcmlnds, rcrmit me
to say, by way Of preface, that there seems
10 be very grave miSnrlrchcnsion in the
MINDS CT some people a. tN the power of n
caucus over its mcmbcrs | have attended
Democratic caucuses since ! have been in
tho Senate, but nobody cv.r dreamcl ot
binding any member of the caucus 10 vote
against his judgment. For instance, Demo
Gratis and Republicans diilcr wi lcly among
themselves on financial questions. caucus
are discussed, but in the Senate aud House
each man votes as his judgment dictates
some may favor the free aud unlimited cpin-
age OF silver at one ratio or another some
may favor the sub-trrasury plan of The ALI
ance, and after consultation in caucus they
vote Tor or against either proposition. when
the occasion arises Nobody is bound hy
The caucus unless he chooses voluntarily To
be 50 bound. No "aihs are administered,
no pledges cXactcd. ns "A requisite of party
ieaHy. II there were, | would never attend
caucus.
In regard to demand ''dl$t" ct the Ali
ancc, Will say that the sub-trca,ury piun
has been abandoned because il was found To-
be lmpracticablc and unconstitutional aud
therefore II Is unnecessary 10 i:>clI>, it. Ia
my judgment ''bcllcr system would be
attained by the repeal OF the 10 per cent
lax ON state banks Of circulation. nnl
trnSt that the Alliance will take that up and
max" it one Of its "irmanl1. cannot. Of
cpurt", discuss this propo,!,i ut length in
tins connection, hut take the liberty OF
handing you one Of my speeches delivered
III the Senate nt the last extra session in
wh ch have attempted to elaborate the
argument in favor Of the repeal. and beg you
I do mc the favor - examine it, | think
ION VIII find that if THIS tax SHOULD lie repeal
Il we would have "a safe. SCUM |. flexible cur
Icncy anl enough of il.
favor "thc free and unlimited c~inagc
of silver and gold Il, the present Legal ratio
of IL To /, and advocated it in Congress
before the Alliance was organized, and an.
srathcd 10 know that the Alliance has
adopted my platform OH this subject.
fliy dollars per capita il not too much
currency for country Ike ours but tn,
trouble with our present financial system l.
not so much the per capita amount OF cur.
rency a. the inequality Of its distribution
Some sections of the country have much.
more than 500 per capita. while in orr sec.
ton doubt If we have - per capita. II
IN our State we could b. guaranteed so per
capltH. II 50 much was necessary for the
transaction of our business. | would com
promise on thai; We should then have about
?-",W"uOu of currency in circulation III
South Carolina, whereas doubt if wc now
have S2,UuouO Ii, 10y the repeal Of the 10
per cent. tax. the States should he Icrmittcl
TO authorize banks ot circulation. wc should
have just so much currcucy ~ our local
wants require, and nu more, but We should
have enough.