Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-07-15

Patrons, by the fact of their organic
ed existence, as well as by frequent
uttcrances, assert that they have rights
which manufactures and dealers care
bound to respect" BY that organiza-
ton aud those utterances, measures
have been begotten and matured, which
have secured practical acknowledgment
of those rights. Propositions, making
large discounts TO Patrons, have been
made by manufacturers, and large guam
titles OF implements and goods nave
been furnished under such arrange
ments. and immense sums thus saved
10 purchasers. This mode OF doing ouSl'
ness is satisfactory to the manufactures,
inasmuch as it make sure sale for his
product for CASH and the arrangement
is mutually good one, as the manu-
iacturer gets his fair profit, and the
Patron gets the discount heretofore
made to mddemen; or, in other words,
he BUYS at manufacturers prices. Now,
it is clear that if Patrons and manutac,
turers both act in good faith in tins ar
rangement, the advantage will be
reliable aud permanent. But the manu-
facturer has also some rights which the
Patrons is bound to respect. For
instance manufacturer makes propo-
silions TO National and State Executive
Committees, offering his products at
fifty per cent. discount from retail price.
This proposition gets proper recogni-
ton, and general acceptance by the
order. The manufacturer, relying upon
tie good faith and sagacity CT the
managers of business affairs, puts his
business upon basis accordingly.
Agencies are discontinued, and he
adopts Grange channels through which
TO do business. But it very soon be-
comes apparent that there are really
two sides To this arrangement, and that
both parties to it must act in good faith,
or it is of no value to either in the long
run. But suppose Patrons don't re-
cognize any particular obligation on
their part; and also fail to see the adj
vantage to the order of sticking to the
arrangements; or of standing by the
manufacturer who has thus made large
concessions for the trade Of the order,
expecting they would take his entire
product, which would indeed be but a
small supply of the real wants of men,
bers; and that the manufacturer, who
had expected increased sales, finds
diminished sales; and iEasmuch as he
has practically shut himself from the
general trade, he has nothing tor it but
10 suffer loss in business and loss of
confidence in the honor not only, but
in the business sagacity of the order.
1t is doubtless the individual right OF
Patrons to buy where aud OF whom
they please. 1t is their right to de-
nounce selling agents, and the manu-
tacturers who are behind and sustain
these agents, for demanding extortion-
ate prices. But if the manufacturer
comes out from behind the agent and
squarely says to the order. "Buy OF
me direct, and you shall have all the
discounts" the order should meet him
halfway, aud stick TO him when they
have clasped hands over the contract.
But somehow it often happens that the
individual Patron thinks he can do
better by himself than the organization
can do for him. lie seems to think he
can contract for one barrel of -four. and
get it at as low rate as the order can
contract for one hundred barrels; or.
that he can buy single mower aud
reaper as low as the manufacturer mas
engaged to sell his entire product tor,
or that he can buy sewing machine
of combination sewing machine agent
just as low as the Executive Committee
has engaged the product of an entire
mandatory at. Now of course all
these notions of the Patrons are fallaci-
Gus; but it il hard for the average Am
erican farmer to voluntarily give
up his individuality for any as
sociated good. ale likes to run his