The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-07-10

DIFFERENTIATION OF ORLEANS GRANGE.

ACTION OF ORLEANS GRANGE
Resolutionsadopte by Orleans Grange
NO: %, at a regular meeting convened
on tuesday, the Both day of June, A. D.,
1874.
Whereas, it is all important that the
subordinate Oranges ofLouisiana should
reflect and act with unanimity upon the
most important matter of "tlie Grange
Agency" prior to the assembling of the
State Grange, with the view that q mat
ter OF such vital Importance to the farm
er may be thoroughly investigated, and
just and proper remedies obtained to
correct the evil and unjust system as it
now exists, through the earnest efforts
of our delegates to the State Grange, on
December 9Th, 1874.
Therefore be it resolved, by Orleans
Grange No. SO, in regular meeting con-
vened, l.. That we believe the present
system of establishing "Grange agen-
cies" detrimental and in conflict with
the strongest principles of our order and
foster and protect under the auspices of
the Grange" additional commercial
firms clothed with monopoly and doing
business as inexperienced men, under
rules equally as exOrbitant and ruinous
| to the producers rs those charged by
JIM IL j liz L L hSSl1IS
are allowed to Overleap their legitimate
functions as agents and establish a COM
mercial firm, it results, as sad experience
in the city of New Orleans has demon
strated, that if by death, or removal, or
even at expiration of term of office, an
other party should be elected or appoint
ed to administer the trust, he enters
upon his field of duty and finds as COM
petitOr for the " Patrons" favor the old
agency, under the headOf an established
firm, which can only be classed as "mid
dlemen,H reared under the favor and
patronage Of the Grange at rates of
commission and charges as high as those
charged by other firms, which are purely
in the interest of agents only, and in no
way advance or protects that of the pro-
Queer; and furthermore, the agency be-
ing unable to offer or grant any facilities
to aid productions in no way merit the
patronage of the tillers of the soil.
2. That we commend to the sub0rdin-
ate Oranges the formation of q cooper
ative association under the general laws
Of the State, under the management and
control Of the Farmer" with honest
and experienced officers to superintend
and administer the same, paid limited
though liberal salary, clothed with power;
to sell, buy, and i'll general to transact
business and make such monetary adj
vances as may be deemed expedient and,
necessary in the interest of producers /;
the rate of commission, interest and
other charges to be placed at the lowest
possible figure, and whatever profitarises
from the business done over and above
the absolutesalary and expenses paid,
shall be declared a return commission
or dividend in which the parties in in
terest shall participate pro rata upon the
amount of business furnished Thus
the most experienced and best clerical
force is obtained at moderate salary and
the producer supercedes the agent by
the enjoyment and benefit of whatever
profit is derived from the business of
selling his crop and buying his supplies.
Or If this policy should be deemed mex
pedient andimpolitic to meet the desired
end, we suggest that an agent be elect
ed, II for each State, by the delegates
to the State Grange his duties explicitly
defined, making them that of an agent
only prohibited from buying, selling,
specializing, OF engaging in any kind of
mercantile pursuits on his own account;
let him be an officer of the Grange at a
moderate salary, to communicate with
the Oranges, represent their interests at
the post assigned to him, and turn over
all products consigned for sale and all
orders for the purchase of supplies to
the legitimate and experienced business
houses willing to accept such consign-
ments, and make such purchases at the
most favorable rates to the producer
and to possess, as agent, the rights of
the principal as q council, subordinate
Grange, or individual Patron, has the
right to contract for the sale of their
products at certain rates and to buy their
supplies at the lowest figure; SO let the
agent act, to buy, sell, and do business
when it can be well done and on the
lowest terms: That the foregoing is res
pectfu1ly submitted to the subordinate
Oranges of Louisiana for consideration.
g. That the Secretary forward a copy
of these resolutions under theseal of the
Grange, to each subordinate Grange in
Louisiana; that the same be published
in the official organ "The Rake,n Our
Home Journal, Republican, Bee, Plea
yune, Times, Bulletin, and that all
journals friendly to the movement be
requested to publish the same.