The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-12-04
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

NoIS 4S4NS ANIL xA4NS w ND
J.. A. HIS the colored Farmers ALI
ance the sane as ours? :
Answer-No. 1t is a separate and dis
tinct organization with which we have
nothing to do.
ing to the eligibility of those engaged in
eral reply: No person selling goods or
merchandise to the general public is eligi-
BILE to membership in the Order-no mat
ter how small his stock IF how much he
may have invested in farming. Nor are
the clerks in stores eligible.
F. L. SIS a lady, whose husband
a farmer-has been rejected by the ALI
ance, eligible to membership?
Answer-The rejection of her husband
does not ~disqualify her.
w. w. B.-Has a landlord who belongs
to the Alliance the right to buy fertilizers
through the Alliance Agency for his
tenants?
Answer-Yes. The landlord has an
interest in the crop.
Can the County Business Agent make
arrangements with a local merchant for
goods without first trying to buy them
through the State Agent?
Answer-Yes. If he deems it best for
his Alliance.
N. 7. R.-Mechanics who live in the
country are eligible. (You fail to give
your postoffice.) =
Questions ~propounded by Sub Alliance
No. 4Ol, to President Alexander of n. c..
Farmers Alliance:
l. Does the Alliance recognize the
principle that agriculture, manufacturing
and m constitute the three great
industries which create a division of
labor among the people, and that each Of
these interests should be fostered within
its proper limits and restrained from en-
croaching upon the rights Of others?
2. How shall the Alliance restrain the
encroachments of and resist
the extortions which trade imposes upon
labor. Shall we abandon the old mer-
chants and select a new set from our own
number, or shall we combine to get the
best terms we can from the merchants
already in business?
3. Is it wise in the present depressed
condition of the farmers to ask them to
raise two hundred thousand dollars by
contribution to give the Alliance a finan-
cial standing in the commercial world?
4. How would the two hundred thou
sand dollars, if that sum should be raised,
give the Alliance a financial standing, and
for what purpose?
Submitted with utmost respect by
ALEX. NJ. MoIvER,
L.. j. HAUGHToN,
A. II. MERRITT,
The following answer was given to the
foregoing questions:
CHARLOTTE, n. c., Nov. 8, 'SS.
Messrs. Alen. Ifciver, IL. j. Haughton, A.
II. Merritt, Committee::
Brothers: Answer to your first ques-
ton: Yes.
Answer to your second question: 1t
would be best to deal with old merchants
if possible. By cooperating, and con-
centrating trade, terms can be had that
will reduce the prolific what is equitable.
Heretofore the merchants made those
who paid pay also the debts Of those who
did not pay, and the spirit of speculation
carried this last feature to that point that
honest men were virtually robbed of
their profits in farming.
Answer to third question: The contri-
button to the agency fund is a gift. The
fund is an insurance to those we deal
with against loss by our agent. Hence
1t gives him a commercial standing.
Answer to fourth question:: Two hun
dred thousand dollars is too high an esti-
mate. If we get fifty thousand dollars
it will be gratifying. Only those who
are able will give, and any n familiar
with the condition of our people must
know that the great majority of our
members are not able to give. And as
the system provides that each member
shall nave all the advantages he can make
of it, we hope to improve it from year to
year as the experience and the demands
of our order shall determine. A financial
standing for the agent is necessary in
order hat he may make contracts, &c.
No manufacturer or merchant will deal
with a man who is only agent in name.
They will not give up their local agents
who are men of means. Unless we have
a financial standing we will have to trade
we have done heretofore.
Fr~aternally,
S. B. ALEXANDER.
Pres't N. C. Farmers Alliance.