The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-04-27
Answer to Farmer.


Editor efM Register;
A Farmer" in the last REGISTER gave
his "views upon the grangers," and it
seems that his views, from some cause, is
but pin hole view, hence he says some
hard things about the Changers, and that
means me. First he asks, "if any rational
man can help seeing that the Changers
are going to ruin the most important
branch Of business, manufacturing ?"
Then gives his reasons, which to a
Granger, at least, looks like very poor
reasoning, just as though manufacturing
interests were more important than farm
ing interests, which none will admit, as
all other occupations are dependent upon
the farm and furthermore, just as though
the manufacturer would be ruined, because
The Patrons, by being united in their
purchases, and paying cash down, can
thus save part Of the "mddlemen's" CON-
missions, and thus he, compelled to cease
to manufacture. Readers of the REGISTER,
is that common sense?
Then "Farmer" utters another wall in
behalf of the "middlemen," meaning the
merchants | suppose, and says, Just as
true as there is God who rulcth all
things, every cent you get off on a yard
of cotton takes off three on pound Of
butter, &C." His faith in God. as we
look upon the Supfeme Greater aud Ruler
of the universe, must be pretty small, or
else he has God that rules the mercan-
tile world. Now if Farmer" will
multiply the number Of cents cotton has
declined per yard since the war by three he
would find that it would make the price of
butter more cents below nothing, than it
is now above, and within a few weeks
butter has declined in price nearly twenty
cents, and cotton has not changed price.
Thus | would enquire, what has the price
Of cotton to do with the price of butter
Farmer" follows with more of the
same kind Of logic, with an exhortation to
the Changers. Now, Mr.. Editor, l would
like, with your permission, to tell Farmer"
something about Changers, or Patrons of
Husbandry. In the first place they do
not propose to wage war with any class
of respectable citizens, whether merchant
or mechanic, and in regard to buying
such articles as they need, they claim the
privilege Of getting as much for their
money as they can, and concede to the
merchant the same privilege, and neither
do they expect or ask the manufacturer
to work Tor them for Dothing. The
Patrons acknowledge the necessity OF the
/ L. I'll
chant and the Patrons are going to be a
great benefit to them IN the end for the
simple reason that cash down is one Of
their principles, and it is not that class OF
, customers that fails our merchants. but
the long time aud dead beat customers.
Farmer" has such love Tor the
mechanic, why does be not try aud stop
our eastern manufacturers from bringing
their wares here, and selling them at
much less price than our country mechanic
can afford to manufacture them for.
Would Farmer" 60 TO his townsman
who makes wagons, and pay him twenty
five dollars more than he would for an
eastern one just as good, and affordiug a
greater profit than his townsman asks
for | think not. Then again the
Patrons do not desire to Go their own
mercantile business, and will not. when
the merchant will sell them their goods at
a fair commission. No Granger buys
his sugar in Market because the merchant
sells it so cheap they can buy of the
merchant; in fact the merchant sells sugar
cheaper than he can afford to, and less
than the Patrons would be willing to pay,
;f the merchant would sell other goods at
the same pio6t.
Some merchants are beginning to see
that it is for their interest thus to deal
and secure the trade OF the Patrons in the
State, numbering great many thousands
1t there are some merchants who buy on
time, and thus are unable to buy so that
he can compete with the cash paying
Patrons,h be may have to leave the business,
but the former are ever ready to receive
them into their ranks without any feelings
Of opposition, which is not true of most
other classes in community. II merchant
or doctor hangs out his sign in the
vicinity Of another Of the same kind,
there is opposition at once.
About selling farm products it is well
understood that nearly all Of our staple
farm products are regulated in price by
the worlds market. The Liverpool price
current has much more to do in fixing the
price OF most farm products in the United
States, than all the cities in New England
About the Patrons associating together to
make their purchases, is no more than
other associations are doing throughout
the country, and no one questions their
utility. Then why censure the Patrons I?
The commissioner Of agriculture mentions
the results of several associations that
have thus saved several thousand dollars
to their communities, even as high as fifty
thousand in single counties. Also one
enterprisiug man in Virginia saved to his
neighbors eleven hundred dollars last
season in buying fertilizers aud clover
seed. Is that man to be cursed? No,
he is noble-hearted fellow and ought to
be Patron.
Now brother Farmer" open your eyes
and look the whole of this matter over,
and when convinced you were prejudiced,
repent, and join some Grange, and you
will be welcomed by A GRANGER.
Bridport, April 1879.