The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-05-23

Senator Butler has " ritten the follow
ing reply to the questions propounded to
him by the Farmers Alliance:
WASHINGTON, D. G., May IL, 1894.
Mr.. T. P. Mitchell, chairman Executive
Committee, F. 8. A., Woodward, s. c..
My Dear Sir: Some days ago received
the following letter from you:
"Hon. M. G.. Butler, Washington, D.
C.-Dear Sir: AS chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee of the State Farmers
Alliance it was made my duty by reso-
luton to PROFOUND the following Ques-
tions to all candidates, and request
written answer to same, and as yoh 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.
aFirst. Will you discuss the Alliance
demands in the coming campaign, par
ticularly those relating to the finances of
the country, and defend them against the
enemies Of onr Order?
"Seoond. Will you pledge loyalty to
the demands of the National Farmers
Alliance aud Industrial Union, above
loyalty to party caucus, and vote against
any and all candidates who decline to
commit themselves to this extent
Yours respectfully,
"THos. P. MITCHELL.
Chairman Executive Conn.,, F.. s. A."
In reply to request from me, you
transmitted the following as the platform
or demands of the Farmers Alliance of
South CAROLINA:
FINANCE.
First. We demand national currency,
safe, sound and flexible, issu I'D by the
General. Government only, full legal
tav,1 ell 1ohfo pnh1ic onA nriUQka
and that without the use Of banking cor
porations, a just, equitable and efficient
means of distribution direct to the people
at tax not to exceed 2 per cent. per
annum, to be provided as set forth in the
sub-treasury plan Of the Farmers Alli-
ance or better system also by pay
ments in discharge Of its obligations for
public Improvements.
We demand the free and unlimited
coinage of silver and gold at the present
legal ratio of 16 to /.
Wedemand that the amount of circu-
lating medium be speedily increased to
not less than $50 per capita, exclusive of
legal reserve.
We demand that our nations al legisla-
ton shall be so framed in the future as
not to build up one industry at the ex-
pense Of another.
We believe that the money Of the coun-
try should be kept as much as possible in
the hands of the people, and hence we
demand all national and State revenues,
shall be limited to the unnecessary ex-
penses of the Government economically
and honestly administered.
We demand that postal savings banks
be established by the Government for the
safe deposits of the, earnings of the pco-
pie, and to facilitate exchange.
LAND.
Second. The land, including all the
natural sources of wealth, is the heritage
of the people and should not be monopo-
lized for speculative purposes; and alien
ownership Of land should be prohibited.
+. ALI land now held by railroads and
other corporations, in excess Of their
actual needs, and all lands now owned by
aliens should be reclaimed by the Gov
ern meDt apd held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORTATION,
Third: Transportation being means
of exchange and a public necessity, the
Government should own and operate the
railroads in the interest of the people.
The telegraph and telephone, like the
post Office system, being necessity for
the transmission of news, should be
owned and operated by the Government
in the interest of the people.
Taking up the questions of your letter
In their order, I beg to say in response TO
the first, will discuss any public ques-
ton the people may desire to have dis
cussed, and rs the Finances Of the coun-
try" are legitimate and proper subjects
for discussion, will discuss them with
pleasure and without reserve. I will
E,11 tn ho 1oo OF ronfof nf
inquiry, whether I will "defend them
against the enemies of our (your) Order"
when come to DISCUSS the Alliance plat
form. I don't quite understand, how
ever, whether you mean to ask me
whether will defend the Enhances of
the country against the enemies of your
Order, or the Enhances Of the country" as
proposed by the Alliance. assume you
mean the latter.
Replying to your second question,
bag to say that in my political life have
never allowed any caucus, or society or
organization, to bind my conscience, and
shall not do 80 in the future, Cancuses,
or societies, or organizations Of any kind,
which seek to bind the political consci-
ence of any free American citizen, are, in
of conscience aud political action, 80
essential to the preservation Of the Re-
publican institutions, I have attended. !
many csucuses of the Democratic party, |
to which belong; have never heard
the suggestion that any mans conscience |
or political action should be bound by
them.- I never will 80 far surrender my |
individual judgment as to be bound by |
any cauous. am loyal to the principles |
of the Democratic party, and shall main
tain that loyalty so long as it adheres to
principles think conducive to the best |
interests of the people, not 81 day longer.
I have beoa under the impression that |
the Farmers Alliance Was not political
organization, but an !Iudustrial Union"
for the protection of the farmers against |
impositions from other sources. do |
not believe in secret political organiza- |
tions. We had sad experience some |
years ago with them. Whatever con-
Germs the political welfare of our people |
should be open to the fullest, freest, most |
public discussion. In order to prevent |
impositions on the people, the light must
be turned on from all points Of view. /
recognize no master in this country, ex-
cept the people. Caucus rule should not |
be allowed te hsurp the rule of the peo-
pie, will, therefore, say I will pledge
my loyalty to the demands of the Alli-
ance, so far as they meet the demands of
nv Judgment, and / can not hold them
above loyalty to party caucus, because
make no pledges to "party caucuses,"
and deny the right of dparty caucuses,"
or any other caucpses, to command
pledges from me to surrender my con-
science and Judgment to its dictation.
C.-;no ypoo, RI tho 6emanda parmit