Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-05-27
4 WORD OF CAUTION TO FARMERS.

En-. REPoRTER:-knowingY Won TO be in
teresied in the prosperity of the farming
and lahoring interests of the country,
would It not be timely to say to that
class of patrons of your valuable paper,
that while this Alliance question is being
so earnestly set forth, it vii! be well for
all those newly organized, to look care
fully to the bylaws they adopt govern
ing their business departments, as on
these much of their success depends. As
understand some of the plans proposed
they are simply calculated to tear down
one nng TO build up another. 1t looks
to me that if all the Alliances in the
Territory should purchase their Irvine
and cos. through one man. their lumber
through another and 50 on through all
branches of trade, there would be quite
temptation TO make an honest farmer
scratch his head ia the effort to resist
the chance offered to turn dollar for
himself We ought never to allow our
selves 10 expose any OF our number to
temptation. In my judgment the only
sure way to success is to organize a
purchasing and selling board in every
Alliance, no matter how few are the
members. The bylaws adopted by the
Alderman Alliance offer no possible
chance for few to become rich at the
expense Of the many-it holds the pur-
chasing power in the hands of the ALI
ance itself aud contemplates the support
of home business men and interests as
the FIRST consideration. Who of us can
declare ourselves independent of our
home business men7 l do not wish to
be-we only say to them through our
agents. how cheap can you finnish the
bills advertised through our local papers?
Let them reply in sealed envelope, so
that no one outside the bidder and the
members of the Alliance receiving these
bids know anything about them. To
buy of an agent, no matter who he
purports TO be, even at a trifie less than
of the local dealer is indirectly to do our
selves harm in the end.
Another thing, We should organize in
business way. The holding of meet
ings in public places, open to everyone,
will not do. Would the board of trade
of a city go out and openly hold meet
ing before their patrons-the very men
they expect to down, in financial way?
emphatica.ly say no! They meet in
private and devise their plans to PROTECT
trade and then live up to them. Again,
would it not be wise to look at the views
Of the great founder of the Alliance
movement, Milton George2 lie says it
is advisable to organize an Alliance in
every township SO that the members viii
not have so far to so, but meet often and
regularly; be intimate one with another
have 1t so handy that our wives, sons
and daughters can attend. This applies
10 regular meetings. Business it bust
ness he says, and when we meet to
transact business, the young folks can
stay at home. Look well before You
leap, what wins is to take pood aim and
be sure your powder is dry. Patronize
home trade, or at least give it fair,
square deal, by advertising openly for
bldson such supplies as you require
always giving the home boys chance,
even If you pay them little more.
They tided us over when it was ques-
ton Of starye or leave, md we ought
neyeEsero back on them, but oifer them
ever! chance to get there.
7. l2I r. SO.