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Show HON. IIIIRUS llflOM One of the Foremost Men in America in the Farmers' Alliance Movement. VIEWS ON MONETARY QUESTIONS The Sub-Treasury Bill More Important Than First Appears They Favor Frte Coinage of Silver. Tho reporter of Tiik Times last night met tho Hon. Charles Boone of Warren, Illinois, who is now spending a few days in this city on bis return from a three months trip to tho Paeilie coast. The meeting was a surprise and a delight de-light iu more ways thau one, for the reporter had known Mr. Boone from his very early boyhood and they bad been friends when one was a child and the other a man. Tha double pleasure arose from the fact that Mr. Boouo is now one of tho most prominent leaders of the farmers' alliance iu tho United States; ho is one of the leaders who helps to mould tho thought and formulate the principles of that organization, organi-zation, and than which thero is no other which is attracting so much political poli-tical attention and discussion today. There is so much interest manifested in this movement that it was esteemed an unusual privilege to meet and discuss the subject with one who has attained the eminence iu economic philosophy produce a greater era of prosperity among the farmers do you anticipate, that your party can carry the next National Na-tional election v" "It is too early to express an opinion as to what might follow were we to enter en-ter national politics as a new party. Our movement is industrial and need not bo political unless forced to such policv bv tho enemy. We propose to accomplish our ends through peaceful and constitutional methods." "What do you think of tho chances of such men as Senator Stanford of California Cali-fornia and Secretary Husk for tho presidential pres-idential nominations of your party, both of whoso names are prominently mentioned in that connection?" 'Should we present a national ticket it is not likely candidates would bo selected se-lected who have already played a prominent prom-inent part iu either of tho old patties. I am not aware of any special admiration admira-tion on the part of alliance men for the two statesmen metitiotiod. It should be remembered that up to tho present moment, mo-ment, and for a considerable period further, we shall have no occasion to propose anything but measures. Later, nhould tho exigency arise, we hope that the best men to head the ticket will be forthcoming. "Then, iias tho alliance- any sympathy sym-pathy with Mr. Boone, oris it favorably impressed with the single tax movement move-ment or the theories of Henry George lew farmers comprehend 1 1 it; doctrines advocated by Henry George in what is known a the single tax. The alliance is opposed to the ownership of land by aliens, and the, withholding from use of largo tracts for speculative purposes." What is the senatorial situation iu Illinois?" ' Three alliance ntembers of the legislature leg-islature hold tho balance of power between be-tween the democrats and republicans. They regard this as an opportunity to elect their man by sheer persistence, as was onco before done in Illinois when Judge Davis became senator. The choice of these three members is A. J. Streeter, an old timo granger and greenbacker and a man possessed of all the- qualifications for tho national senate except being a millionaire. 'u regard Ogleshy and l'almor as very re-, speotahlo fossils, but not in sympathy with our ideasof monetary reform. The alliance respectfully declined them." "If organized as a national party what effect do you anticipate tho alliance alli-ance would have ou the solid south;" "Wo declare iu our creed against national na-tional ami sectional prejudice and strife. Organize 1 upon industrial lines, with common interests, political hatred among the people must die out." "State now iu what way you expect the financial changes you propose will benefit the country." "Reducing interest upon money to a low and uniform rate will assist debtors to liquidate. Mon who now iuvest in mortgages will not compete with the government but put their money into business. Tho larger volume of money iu circulation that Mr. Boone has. Some years ago ho was a most enthusiastic advocate of tbe greenback doctrine, and it was observed ob-served that the views he then entertained enter-tained on-monetary subjects had rather developed and progressed in tho same line rather than ho had changed. When, therefore, the reporter waited ou Mr. lioono at bis hotel, amunitioned with a roll of paper ami asked him to give his views 011 some of those topics, the discussion dis-cussion of which bred the cyclone in the last election, metamorphosed tho complexion of congress and caused the hearts of certain senators who were not returned to their seats by the legislatures legisla-tures of their stales, to bo filled with an ulterable anguish and their lips to blossom with navy bluo profanity, on the damnable ignorance and iugrati-tudo iugrati-tudo of a species of human nature which asserted its rights to have a square meal ouce in a while and a suit of clothes doeeut enough to make a public appearance in; an untutored mob who asked that their wives aud daughters might experience the delights of decorating their forms in some of the beauties of raiment in which women tako pleasure; who demanded that their sons might bo endowed with an education which would qualify them for the duties of citizenship; we presumed that tho interview would bo profitable to himself and perhaps eu-taiuing eu-taiuing and educating to bis readers. In the first presumption ho was not disappointed dis-appointed and he doe9 not think he will be in tho last, especially not as regards thoso who are not so biased as to tear to listen to opinions which may be opposed op-posed to their own. After a prelude of reminiscences the reporter propounded this question: "Mr. Boone will you please give me succinctly the main principles of the farmers' alliance platform?" "The aim of our movement is to instruct in-struct our industrial classes in the science of economic government iu a strictly non-partisan spirit. We do noj, ask privileges for a few, but rights for all. Believing the great mass of our countrymen to be hopelessly in debt, with chronic business depression as a consequence, we seek relief chielly through improving our existing monetary mone-tary system. We proposo that govern-nieut govern-nieut loans bo made diretly to the people, peo-ple, at low interest upon such security as their homes, farms, factories, and principal farm aud factory products afford. We want this system of loans to be organized in all its details upon a strictly safe and equitable basis as be- will stimulato traoe anil rewanl production. The interest saved by a lower rate will reappear in a general advance in wages. Debtors, especially farmers, now crippled and disabled as customers, will have more of theirearn-ings theirearn-ings to spend for 'improvements,' conveniences con-veniences and comforts present high rales of interest deny to them. Hence, work for tho unemployed. The interest accruing upon tho money loaned by government will go as revenue into the. public treasury to meet public expenditure, expendi-ture, to provide funds for tho acquisition acquisi-tion of railroads and the construction of public works. Under our alliance monetary system ordinary taxation will disappear when, as a people, wo shall have learned to administer public affairs upon holiest aud economic principles." Mr. Boono is a very emphatic speaker, a clean-cut, logical reason without a bit of the demogogue in his nature. Ho is plain and unassuming, very positive, yet desirous of being criticised and having the weak spots of his arguments pointed out. He is an houost and gentle spirited farmer about 00 years of age, not rich but in a good substantial position financially. Pecuniarily Pecun-iarily tha measures he advocates would bo disadvantageous to him as he is so fortunately situated as to be able to loan money to his less favorably conditioned con-ditioned neighbors. iwoen government ami lnuiviuunis. '.'What strength has the movement in your own section, and what do you believe be-lieve it to be in the states you liavo recently re-cently visited?" "I am not advised as to present numerical nu-merical strength, but understand ur membership to be over 1.200. Out). Counting other organizations more or less in affiliation with us, it probably exceeds 2,000,000." "Is then," pursued the reporter, "the farmers' alliance the old greenback party of some years ago more perfectly developed, and if not, what caused its inception?" "Tho alliance is undoubtedly tho joint growth of the grange and greenback green-back movement. The educational work then done is bearing fruit now. The leadership has not changed in character, charac-ter, and not greatly iu person; to the men who deplored tho timid conservation conserva-tion of the grange is duo the birth of tho alliance, and these men aro its active spirits today. "Now will you tell Tub Timks of tho condition of prosperity among the farmers of Illinois, and to what you attribute at-tribute their misfortunes?" "There is no prosperity among American Amer-ican farmers in any section of our country. Debt is too common, and tho interest tribute too excessive to permit of prosperity among our industrial population pop-ulation anywhere," "Mr. Boone, will you now tell mo the position assumed by tho alli.inee on tho subject of the free coinage of silver." "Tho freo coinage of silver is one of the planks of our creed. So long as gold and silver are to be used as money wo want both metals to be placed upon an eipial footing us to coinage and legal tender." "Do you think that measure would prove beneficial to farmers and producers pro-ducers of wealth?" "Conjointly with all who favor" a larger volume of currency, we believe the addition which free coinage of silver sil-ver would bring, must stimulate business, busi-ness, and benefit all classes, with tho exception of the comparative few who draw fixed income from money loaned. These, however, as a matter of course, will antagonize us with ail their strategy strat-egy and power. Tho alliance fpiite understands un-derstands that it is entering . upon a tight with the dynnsty which reigns in Wall street and rules at Washington. Hence it confidently expects tho sym-paty sym-paty and support of tho commercial and industrial population of our cities." "And now, Mr. Booue, would you be kind enough to tell nio what you think of tho sub-treasury bill and what vou believe to be its advantages and def-cts?" "There is really more merit in tho sub treasury scheme than at first sight appears. It is iu effect a proposition to hold over the surplus of prosperous seasons against our time of uved, by averaging reward to producers and C03t to consumers through a series of years, thus measurably avoiding glut at oue period and scarcity at another. It is intended as a blow to market monopolization mo-nopolization now so prolific of evil to all classes." "Should not hing intervene that would |