The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-23
SovEREIGNS OF INDUSTRY.
Organization of the First Chi
cago Sub-Council.
Explanation Of the Initiation Fees,
SPEECH OF THE AGENT OF THE IOWA
Changers.
The Pecuniary ane Political Results Of The
OrganirA don.
From the chicago Tribune, al.t.

OrganizA Aon.
From the Chicago Tribune, 0ist
A meeting of workingmen, ana others
favorable TO the cause OF the Sovereigns
of Industry was held at the house OF Mr..
Allen, No 2lO North La Sale street, last
evening. Mr.. A. Barker, boiler-maker,
presided.
The attendance was sufficiently large to
crowd the parlor and sitting room.
EXPLANATION.
Mr.. Earle, Grand Master of the Order
of Sovereigns Of Industry, from Worcester,
Mass, was called upon to state his views
relative to the organization. which he did
at some length, embodying the sentiments
expressed by him to Tribune reporter,
as published in these columns Wednesday
morning.
POLITICS.
The Chairman asked whether such a
thing as politics was allowed in the meet
ings of the Councils and Sub Councils OF
the Order.
Mr. Earle replied that no politics were
recognized samong the members. Princi-
pies were, however, and no man forfeited
his political right to vote for whom he
pleased by simply becoming Sovereign
Of Industry"
A delegate from the West Side Rolling
Mills asked whether members would be al
lowed to speak to their favorite candidates
for Office in the meetings of the Councils
He considered that Mr.. Earle's explana-
ton did not go to prove that the ''Sover-
cigns' were entirely outside of politics. In
fact, from what he had heard of the move
ment, he believed it to be more political
than anything else
Mr.. Earle replied that politics were ut
terly excluded from the order, but, as indi.
viduals, members could use their judy
ment ia voting, just as much as Masons
and Odd Fellows did.
THE CHANGERS.
MIR. Elliott, from Benton County, Ia,
now General Agent for the Changers OF
that State in this city, was called upon tc
give his views relative to "Grangism."
Mr. Elliott stated that when the first or.
ganization was attempted in his county
four years ago, rascally Deputy ran of
with all the funds of four different Grang.
es. This discouraged members, but, fired
by detestation of the extortions commit
ted and practiced by middle-m and com
mission-men, the farmers rallied anew, and
now there we're in the State of Iowa ne
less than l,S00 Granges-all in excellent
working order. Their resources were almost
illimitable and their influence was grow
ing greater every year.
An English delegate from the North
Branch Rolling Mills asked whether the
Grangers were not strong politicians All
the papers of the country said they had
elected their men throughout the States
MIR. Elliott stated in reply that, as mat
NnN .. II
regard for their own interests, the Grang
ers had certainly changed the face of pol
itics in Iowa and elsewhere. Previous Il
their organization everything was run by
lawyers and professional politicians. Now
they were governed by farmers-men whC
were in sympathy with them, and were nat
urally identified with their interests. A.
regarded the men elected, they were no
nominated in the Oranges, but outside OF
them.
The English Delegate-I should regard
it as very poor political education If
had only to vote for the nominations made
by other people
Mr. Elliott stated that, although the nom
nations were made at regular meetings o
the Changers, still there could be no deny
ing that outside of their meeting places
in caucuses, and elsewhere, they exercised
paramount influence. They were no
politicians, Tor they had cut loose from par
~ ties. They would not vote for any man
Democrat or Republican whose record wa,
not clear. Before the Changers had at
tanned their present growth, not one MAJ
in ten knew who was his representative il
the General Assembly, who was his Con
gresham, OF who his Senator. Now the
reverse was the rule, and this politica
knowledge had also been extended to the la
dies, who were most jealous in the cause OF
the farming class The Oranges met to
gether, and combined business with pleas
ure. They had their sociables and all tina
kind OF thing, and, in that way, extended
their influence.
WHAT MATERIAL GOOD?
The Chairman-But what material gooC
have you effected, Mr.. Elliott?
Mr.. Elliott said that very great good hat
been effected. During the last year the,
had saved in the State OF Iowa no les
than $2,000,000 on machinery alone Tha
might appear an extravagant figure, bu
he had the papers and other matters t,
show the truth Of what he asserted. Tn
price of every farming implement had beer
reduced more than one third. They haC
established their agents all throughout Iowa
and every article was received at almos
cost price, 10 per cent. being charged t,
persons outside the Oranges. He enumer
ated the savings in plows, cultivators. reap
ers, etc., and stated that they Furnished
pianoes that used to cost $500 each fol
$500 and sewing machines that cost SIO(
each TOR $50, and so on in proportion.
The Englishman-Does that come from
the pocket OF the manufacturer
MIR. Elliott emphatically denied that i
dld. 1t came from the pockets of the mid
dle-men or commission brokers, who rob
bed the manufacturer and the consumer
alike. Their system had effectually thrown
cold water on the commission business
which was, as a rule, gross imposition
not one degree removed from downright
swindllng: The Changers had been yer,
successful thus far, and were advancing il
power every day they existed They ha,
Dullt thirty elevators in Iowa, had estab
nshed their own agencies, and had highl,
Improved the moral tone of the farmin
classes. The mechanics and operatives
who were large consumers, were the yer,
men they wanted to reach. They conl1
save 81 on every barrel of flour bougb
from an agent of the Changers, Onlv I,
cents a barrel was paid, for necessary ex
penses, over the cost price The agent
were paid salary, but no commission wa
flowed.
THE PLOw-MEN
Mir. Allen-Did not some plow-firm her
IN town refuse to sell you plows, or some
pay old prices? ~" teiu'0u