Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-02-12

it were not virtually placing the masses
of the people in abiect servitude, bound
down by the will of few manufacturers
of the country. "Well," say these
gentlemen, "what are you going to do
about it ?" I say, for one, that L have
a seventeen-year-old reaper, l have
plows, etc., and I will run them for
seventeen years more before | will ever
surrender to ills kind of a ring. How,
then, shall we meet these unjust CON-
binations There seems to be but one
way, and that by thorough organization
and cooperation.
Farmers of the Seventh Congressional
District, are you prepared for the work
before you Will you surrender your
manhood by purchasing a machine of
any character from those who have
combined against you? We have
claimed no privileges, no other guaran-
tees than that accorded to others, and 1
have taken the responsibility of saying
that we will accept nothing less. do
not understand that farmers, as many
have assumed, wish to dispense with
middlemen, nor to compel manufac-
turers to do away with agents, but that
we shall claim the right to purchase,
through our own agents, such goods
and machinery as We may require, es-
pecially where almost the entire COM
mission usually paid to agents may be
saved and retained in the hands of the
consumer. Is this demand unreason-
able Is it unjust Have we asked
any special privileges from the manu-
facturer than what seems to be proper
and right. We propose to pay him
cash where he now receives long time
notes, many of which we never paid.
1t has been said that competition is the
life of trade. If this be the case, the
old standby agents should find no
fault. But, without dwelling upon
this point, wish to say that the lii
nois State Farmers Association has
adopted a business system, one which
it is believed has but few Objectionable
features. Some slight variations and
changes may become necessary, yet the
plan has been pronounced by business
men feasible and practical. This sys-
tenn, a copy of which will be presented
for your consideration, is apparently
free from anything that looks like mon
opoly or oppression, requiring of every
man who has anything to do with car
rying cut its provisions to give a strict
account of all his doings and acts con-
nected Herewith, and if in any instance
he isfound wanting integrity or business
qualifications, there is power behind
that will inform him that his services
are no longer wanted. We want no
salary I trust We have none
yet. If hydra-head should appear,
cut it off without waiting from two to
six years before it can be done
legally. This long-winded style of
thriving should be done away with, and
a provision be made for the removal at
any time of agents appointed by the
State or local organizations, if found
dishonest. incompetent, or neglectful of
duties. Why not apply this rule to all
public servants? If we do not pluck
the weeds from our cornfelds, our crop
will prove failure. Why not farm our
public assemblies when we are in need
of bountiful harvest? The rule to be
applied would have to be rigid, yet its
application might effect wholesome re-
suits. The rules governing the business
department are ample, requiring but
little more care or labor to carry them
cut than is required in conducting any
ordinary business establishment. A
record is to be kept and reports made
that will enable the association to detect
almost any instance of fraud, and at the
expiration of the year know exactly what
has been saved over the old system OF
purchasing. What, then, remains to be
done to make the plan success? The
system, of itself, will not do it. The
agent you appoint is not sufficient, but
it will require your united cooperation,
watchful care, and firm determination
to stand by the right. Your agent and
your association, every individual, must
feel that he has duty to perform that
cannot be done by proxy, and that the
success, growth and development of this
movement can be measured only by the
earnestness and workings of its sup.
porters. 1t is easy to talk, but not SC
easy to act. Precept is good, but ex.
ample is better. One is indicative Of
what might be, and its beauties and ad
vantages are to be seen In the dreamy
distance, while the other is stern real
ity, giving to us that which is tangible
and has intrinsic worth, and will give
straight and ultimate success to oul
movement. But individuals not especial
ly interested with us will tell you oul
movement is not practical, and that the
farmers will not stand by each other
Second, that it is discriminating agains
the poor man. Third, that there are Nc
business men connected with us. Fourth
we cannot obtain the machinery. Now
we believe these opinions and assertions
to be untrue in every particular. II
the first place, farmers in general, here
tofore, have allowed parties who have
no particular interest in their welfare t.
do their thinking, who to-day are figur
ing for themselves, and the more the,
think, study and figure, the more per
fectly they understand and comprehens
the situation. They have formerly solt
their products at Wholesale and pur
chased at retail have also taken what
ever has been offered for them, and pait
whatever was asked for articles the,
were obliged to purchase. They hav
been, and are to-day, to large degree
represented in our State and nationa
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