Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-03-22
PATRONS OF ~HUSBANDRY.
GRANGER MERCHANDISING.

- GaC Acth,
Territorial Grange of Montana, in a COM
munication to the ROCKY MOUNTAIN Hus-
of March 8th, advises the expedl-
ency of organizing 81 Central Grange Depot.
Without doubling the sincerity OF the wor-
thy secretary, or questioning his motives,
we must say that his article and recommen-
dations expose a lack of understanding as
to the laws which govern commerce, ana
an equal lack as to what would be the re-
suit of the practical working offate plan he
suggests. In larger and Wealthier commu-
mites such a plan might succeed, and prove
beneficial to it's members but in a large
Territory, sparsely settled, such as ours, it
ship on those who Ell gagged in it, and prove
an utter failure in the end.
With the present limited population OF
Montana, our only salvation hes IN our uni
.ty of purpose III everything that tends TO
development of our resources. The arrayal
of one branch of industry against another
will prove our ruin.
1t is safe to say that seven-tenths OF our
farmers class are in debt to the merchant
class. We admit that this state of business
relation between the two classes may nave,
to some extent, been brought about by the
high prices that have prevailed for merchan-
disc, and the short crops and low prices that
have prevailed for farm products; but, no
matter what the cause may have been, it IS
nevertheless true, and leaves the tarmerln a
poor position to set himself, not only IN OPP
position, but in direct hostility to the mer-
chant, whose debtor he Is.
We have no desire or intention to say
aught against the grange AS an organlza-
ton, as we approve Of many OF its tenets
and practical workings; but when measures
are proposed in relation to it that we deem
dangerous to its prosperity and alike dam
aging to every interest Of the Territory we
deem it our duty to oppose them.
We trust our Granger friends will look at
this matter carefully before they move to
II definite action"
Now Mr.. Editor, | happened to be one OF
those farmers who differ with the Madiso-
MAN. I think the suggestion of the Secre-
tary is good, and that we could be bene-
llCleu by ~ StAiSC ACpoh III -
may be true that some of the farmers are
more or less indebted to the merchants, but
this is no reason why they should not w
q store Of their own. am afraid that such
a central depot as the Secretary proposes,
cannot be successful unless we get more
speedy and cheaper transportation to this
country. There is not a farmer in Montana
who does not pay out more than double the
amount of his taxes every year to the fe"
wholesale %monopolies 0 fthe country, and
sec no reason why they should not enter in
10 this business on their wv plans. | see
that some of the farmers are opposed to the
railroad subsidy, Oh account OF the hlgl
taxes which will be levied to pay for the
road. Idiffer with them, | believe that the
extravagant charges paid here upon farm
implements and merchandise, amount tt
twice rs much to every farmer as the rail
road tax would be, and | think, when oul
farmers see this in the right light, they viii
much prefer TO have the road. With a roaC
we can send and get such goods as we neet
from the States, and not be dependent OF
the. few Wholesale houses, which now, OF
account of the great distance, have to carr!
large stocks the year round and charge higl
prices. II.
Prickly Pear Valley. March 10, 1877.
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