The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-12-04


in this part of Texas are getting on
pretty well, all things considered, |
thought it would not be out of place
to give you a few items, inasmuch
as we receive so many encouraging
reports from other sections through
your valuable paper Cooperation,
YOU know, is the life of our Order,
and we ought to report progress oc
casionally so that we may learn how
we are Weathering the gale.
Our business at this point is pro-
crossing satisfactorily, exceeding by
at least three fourths that of last fall
and winter. Our stock is too small,
though much larger than it was last
year. We often sell out almost in
a single day, and lose much trade
before we can renew. We have
shipped to our Agent at Galveston,
Bro. J. S. Rogers, 80 bales up to
date, and but for the difficulty in
transportation from this point we
would have doubled that number.
His sales have been very satisfacto-
~, those who shipped through us
realizing a half to two cents per
pound over this market.
Capt. ] G. Means, our able Man
ager, is exerting all his energy to
making a grand success of our As
ISOLATION in the near future. The in
dications at present are that success
will soon crown his efforts.
Let me trespass upon your time
| and space to ask a question 1t is
admitted that the Grange has done
much and is still doing a great deal
OF good for the agriculturists of this
country in uniting the laboring
classes against those who are dis
posed to Cypress them. But is il
keeping pace with oppression? Are
not monopolies growing stronger
day by day, and the Money Power
Strengthening its hold upon the lib
critics of the masses of the people
with remorseless grip? I fear we
will be SO slow and indifferent, and
so ignorant of our real condition.
that when we do awake at last, it
will be with our hands tied and
nothing left US but to lament our
folly.
1t is great pity that our people
will not read and become informed
of the condition of affairs Each one
complains of hard times, but, as a
rule, quietly submits to whatever is
laid upon him as if he were a beast
Of burden. | will illustrate: There
has never been but one cotton
weighing yard at this point until
this seasan. 1t is said to pay hand
some profit. A sun burnt farmer
took it into his head to go into the
same business. He has met with
violent opposition, and though he
has standard pair of Fairbanks
scales, it is alledged that his weights
are incorrect and do not hold out at
Galveston and other points. He re-
ceived propositions 20 sell out, but
refused. He was requested TO load
the pea of his scales. He declined
to steal cotton from one man and
give to another. Now, the merch-
ants of this place are not willing and
some refuse to buy cotton weighed
at this yard And it is humiliating
to see farmers move their cotton out
of this yard, where they are salts
fed that it has been honestly weigh
ed, and take it to another yard
where they lose s to II pounds on
the bale. Now, Mr.. Editor, | call
this submitting too far, but l have
seen it done this day. This farmers
cotton yard weights and those Of
Bro. Rogers at Galveston are so near
the same that the difference is not
worth mentioning A people who
will submit to such, deserve nothing
better. Eight thousand bales have
passed through the old yard this sea
son; fifteen hundred through the
new one. will not. trespass fur
Their; but this illustrates my ques-
ton, Are we resisting oppression,
or are we submitting? It's of little
use for one man to act without sup
port. What we need is unity. If
we do not hang together, we will be
sure to hang separately. Our only
hope is in cooperation. If the
Grange dies, all is lost. Long may
you live to advocate the right.
Fraternally, O. w. WHITE.
NJ ov:a NJ - -