The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-02-16
EsR.mERs CLUB or ANTWERP.

A. G. Glidden. Subject for discussion: Co
OPERATION for formers.
Tho Preridept, James Bale, sad: Gentle
men OF the Farmers Cluo OF Antwerp Co
operation is to act or work with one another in
producing some effect. The subject OF ASSOC
citation or cooperation has been advocated by
all business men In times past it has only by
the farmer been elected in great measure.
The experience OF farmers cooperating In
any of the branches OF farming, such az wool
growing. cheese and butter mixing, is, that
they have prodl ID better article and MAN.
tanned better price. We think We may give
credit TO toe VIC o. growers association, OF this
county, for the maintenance OF the present
tariff ON wool Therefore We see reast rs Tor
the cooperation Of farmers; no interest OF
such magnitude has engaged the thoughts OF
business men in anv country or age, as the
farming interest OF the United States bust
ness engaging over ono third OF the population
is left 70 itself to bear, rs beet it may. the IN
certaintes OF seasons aud tn, tricks OF specu-
iators. Therefore, cooperation. in forming
and the mainta,ng OF Farmers Clubs, and Co
operation in the moro expensive machinery OF
farming ia beneficial, see it in farming imple-
meLts. 1t gives the small farmer tho benefit
OF expensive machines; q neighborhood may
have all the heavy machinery, such az good
horse power, reaper and moSer, roller. drii'.
stJsS cutter, ETC., at the cost OF one machine.
Commercially, every branch OF business ID
protected by organizations. The grain, iron,
coal, salt, and liquor trades are Imported by
its Board OF Trade. There arc tue Manufac-
turing Unions In all their branches: / do not
th,nk you may except any of the professions,
rom the lawyer down 10 the street scavenger
or boot black, all have their protective unions
and are profited by them. But the farmer OF
to-dsy is like tie strong man, bound, despoiled
of his gcoos. Nearly all the products OF man
ufacture have maintained steady price by It's
unions, while the product, Of tie farm by it's
present system has raised and lowered from
one Go ninety-fve per cent in twenty-iour
hours; where is our protection. We ask where
When there is prospect OF al advance rrice.
me sharks, IN the shape OF railroad managers.
produce-dealeIs, middle men generally, aud
think you may include many OF our editors and
newspaper correspondence ming one 81
ganEc circle Of fraud al ! deception, to take
within it's embrace all the profits OF the farmer
Again we ask where Is our protection! NOT
J., the political circle7 No. Millions OF dollars
by Che intrigue CT politicians, are drawn from
the hard earnings OF the farmer, without even
suffering thought TO arse against 1t or to ask
why Where Is our protection? We answer:
first in forming Farmers Clubs. and maintain
them with town, county, and state unions
embracing all the staple farm products, such
gran. wool, pork, beef, aud dairy products. -
Second. ,et us support such reliable newspapers
az are identified with the interest OF the pro-
ducsr and strict honesty. Third, let us, as far
al possible, deal directly with the manufacturer
and consumer, and lastly, let us elect such men
FOR representatives and senators as are troe to
our interest as agriculturaliets.
Wei, has one said; United wa stand. di-
Vdod we fall"
r.. y Mills salc: In thinking over our
subject and Judging by what has come under
my own observation, l have concluded that
the idea OF cooperation among farmers is al
most impossible. Tho word means working
together for the ssm, end and az the pr.
Suary object is Independence, and as a geDernl
rlle, believe that we, az farmers, choose this
occupation because OF it's independence. 1
don't think wo could sacrifice that independent
feeling even for the sake OF greater profits
Tho man that shoulders his ak, and starts for
q nome in the wilderness, could succeed better
oad he = hundred with him Of the eame energy
aud zeal that be possesses. 1t would do away
with great deal Of labor and inconvenience,
II instead OF fepcing ten acres, Thousand we're
ssll feucsd and all work within the enclosure.
But the fear OF drones and traitors in the camp
induces men generally to fight sipgle-handed
and alone. There is q general feeling OF sat !
istacyl0n III knowing that We possess homes IN
ctr own right, that we can cow when and
where we please, and gather INTO barns. And
now comes the principle point in our subj Jet
10 wit; disposing OF our produce i am well
aws,e that some farmers do better than others
IN msrketug; that they have faculty Of get |
ting the bottom cent every time; but men like |
TO dispose OF thei. own, and their circumstan-
co; being different must &C, accordingly. A,
Vs. and G.. may have held their wool and gram
ttiJ year and tapped tho market at the right |
time but have known them TO hold too long |
Al d thereby lose. Consequently | would not
have them 60 rulo in our Company, Eat if we
rs r. Club, cGn by regular meetings and by our
votes decide when and how to dispose OF our
produce, for one would be Wiling to join it,
sue --buv fear it would not ct al times be
satisfactory. Coud we appoint Treasurer
rat could Lo,d suffi cent sum to enable tho
small farmers to be accommodated until sucb |
n time ~ the Club should decide when to sell
certain product, by paying fair rate Of iuto-
reat, il might be we:-and for one, would be-
clad 10 sec the time whoo farmers could hold
iheir IN With sharpers and not be obliged to
CAKE what is offered and glvo what is asked
avery time. for one, would do my part To-
ward creating change in this particular. but
~ 81 have little faith Il at any great results
cap he obls,ued. We see by the thinuess Of
our numbers how little is tho interest IN thIs
great business OF ours. Men arc becoming
secl, ded end selfish in the extreme and no
public matter seems to affect tlsm. They arc