, 1874-02-21
S0VERElGNS OF INDUSTRY.
Organization Of tho First Chicago
Sub-C0uncil.
Speech of the Agent Of the Iowa
Changers.

The Pecuniary and Political Results Of
the Organization.
meeting Of workingmen and others fa7ora-
bic to the cause OF the " sovoreigns of Indus
try" was held at tue house of Ar. Allen, No. 21o
North La Sale street, last evening. Alr. A. Bar
! ker, boier-makcr, preaided.
The attendance was sufficiently large to crowd
| the parlor and sitting room.
I EXPLANATORY.
! Mr.. Earle Grand Master Of the Order OF Sov-
ereigns Of industry, from Worcester, Mass., Was
called upon to state bis views relative to the Or
| ganizaton, which be did ut some length, en-
! bodying the sentiments expressed by him to a
TRIBUNE reporter, as published in these columns
Wednesday morning.
POLITICS.
The Chairman asked whether such thing az
politics was allowed in tho meetings Of the
Councils and Sub-Counclls Of the Order.
Mr. Earle replied that no politics we're rocog-
rized among tho members. Principles were,
however, and no man forfeited his political right
to vote for whom ho pleased by simply becoming
"Soyeroign. Of Industry"
4 delegate from the West Side Rolling Mills
aeked whether members would be allowed to
speak Of their fayorito candidates for office in
the meetings Of tho Councils. He considered
that Mr. Ear1o's explanation did not go to prove
that the "Soyereigns were entirely outside Of
politics. In fact: from what he bad heard OF the
movement, he believed it to be more political
th an anything else.
A1r. Earle replied that politics vera utterly OK
cluded from tic order, but, as individuals. mer-
bers could use their judgment in voting, just as
much as Masons and Odd Fellows did.
THE CHANGERS.
Mr. Elliott, from Benton County, a., now
General Agent for the Grangers Of that State in
this city, was called upon to give his views 1ela-
Mr. Elliott stated that when the first organiza-
tion was attempted in his county, tour years
ago, rascally Deputy ran OF with all tho funds
Of four different Granges- Tlis discouraged
members, but, fired by detostation OF the ex-
tortions committed and practiced by middle-men
aud commission-men, the farmers rallied anow,
and now there wore in the State Of iowa no less
than 1.800 Granges-all in excellent working Or
der. Their resources were nlmoBt ilinitablo,
and their influence Was growing greator every
year.
An English delegate from the North Branch
Rolling Mills asked who.h the Grangers wero
not strong politicians. Al! the papers OF tie
country said they had elected their men through
out the States.
11r. Elliott stated in reply that. as matter re-
sulting. from education aud Intelligent regard
for their own interests, the Graneers llad GER
tainly changed the face Of politics in Iowa and
elsewhere. Previous to their organization ev-
ezything was run BY lawyers AMI professional
politicians. Now they we're governed by furu-
ers-men who we're in sympathy with them, aud
wore naturally identified with their interests.
Az regarded the men elected, they we're not
nominated in the Oranges, but outside Of them.
very poor political education il had only to vote
for the nominations naado by other people,
Mr. Elliott stated that, although the nomina- |
tions we're not made at regular meetings OF tho |
Changers, still there could bo no denying that I
outside OF their meeting g-p!aces, in caucuaas and
elsewhere, they exercised paramount influence. |
They were not politicians. for they had cut
loose from party ties. They would not voto for
any man: Democrat or, Republican, whose
Grangets had attained their present growth,
not ono man in ten know who WaH
his representative in tho General Assembly, vino
WAS Lis Congressman, or who his Senator. Now
the rove1so Was the rule and this political
who were most zealons in the cause Of the farm
ing classes. Tho Oranges met together, and |
combined business with pleasure They had
their sociables and al that kind OF thing, and,
in that way; extended their influence.
WHAT MATERIAL GOOD?
The Chairman-But what material good hAvo
you effectad, Mr. Elliott7
Mr. Elliott s2ld that worry great good had been I
effected. During tho lust year thoy had saved
in the State OF Iowa no less than 81, o00, 600 OIL
lonet That might appear IN ex-
trayagant figure, but he had the papera,and other
matters to show tho truth Of what lie assorted.
The price OF every farming implement had been
reduced more than one third. They had eetab-
lished their agents ali through Iowa, md every
article WIS received at almost cost prico, 10 per
sent being charged to pcrsnns outside tho
Oranges. He enumerated the savings III plows
:u1tiyatora, rcapers, ETC., and stated that they
$500; aud Bewing~machines that cost 800 each
Tor $780, and SO on in proportion.
The Englishman-Does that coma from the
pocket of the manufacturer?
It came from the pockets OF tho mddle-men or
nanufacturer and tho consumer alike.
Their system had efrectually thrown
;old water on the commission business, which
sas, as rule, gross imposition, not one de-
rec removed from downright swindling. The
irangers had been very successful thus lar. and
gere advancing in power every day they existed. |
Choy had built thirty elevators in Iowa, had es-
ablished their own agencies aud had highly i'm
,roved the moral tone Ut the farming classes.
he mechanics aud operatives, who wero large |
wero the very men they wanted to
each: They could save - on every barrel Of
our bought from an agent Of tho Grangers
]
1penses, over the cost price. The agents were
aid satary, but no commission was allowed.
THE PLow-uES.
Mr. Allen-Did not some ploW-hrm here in
nv, because you refused to pay old prices7
Mr. Elliott They did. and passed resolution !
the sharehoIdcrs-to that effect. We met tho I
flair by passing resolution not to buy from {
hem at Ill, unless they gaTe US what we wanted |
fair valuation. Then VIC set to work and c. c
,b1ished plow-factories OF our own, go as to be G
,dependent OF them altogether. When they I
IN that, they camo to terms Immediately, and
, did the folks in St. Louis and elsewhere. One
agent said to me in town here
1e other day: fare you Grangcr7" said
Yes" .'Wel1," said he, s'you fellows
,st us $4,000 this past year" I said.
That's nothing; we'll cost you $4,000 Q
sfore another year." and We will. !,
tell you, workingmen, that we defy monopoly :,
ID trade thimb]e-nsging DOW, and il You or =
anize in proper shape, as We have done, you y