The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-07-19
their business methods, whereby they are

enabled to get reasonable rates anu
accommodating terms for their members.
In every county the Alliance has trade
agent and every sub-alliance in the
county has trade committee, the chair.
man of which is the sub trade agent.
The various sub agents together with the
county trade agent constitute the county
trade board, and they have the manage
ment and control of the financial affairs
of the organization. Their plan is to
give every merchant in the county a
chance to bid for the trade of the ALI
ance. The merchants who make the
best responsible bids are appointed as
trade stores for the Alliance. In Ches-
ter6eld County there are five trade stores
that arc furnishing members of the Alli-
ance ". n certain classes of goods at rates
far below those hitherto paid by the
average farmer. Some farmers, who
have always been shrewd buyers, have
had no reason to complain of the prices
they have paid for their supplies but
many farmers, who have been practically
at the mercy Of the merchants, have been
compelled to pay prices that have been
simply outrageous. These farmers are
helped by the Alliance and are enabled
to procure their supplies on reasonable
terms. Mr.. Redfearn sees a decided
improvement in dealings of credit. He
says that as long as the members can get
what they want from the trade stores
they will buy there; but that they go
elsewhere for what they do not keep.
In Chesterfield the Sub. Alliances meet
twice month, but the constitution only
requires a monthly meeting. The
County Alliance, composed of delegates
from all the various Sub.Alliances, meets
every quarter. The greatest interest is
manifested in these meetings. The
attendance is very large and all the pro
ceedings are characterized by great
enthusiasm. One object never lost sight
of in any of the meetings of the Alliance
is to stir up the members to determine.
ton to improve their condition. All
meetings are social in their character.
Every Sub-Alliance has lecturer, whose
duty it is to deliver carefully prepared
lecture on some selected subject or to
read some instructive article at every
meeting. These features will be devel.
oped when the State organization is per.
fected.
NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS.
Mr.. Redfearn says that the Alliance
has nothing to do with politics. 1t is
not in any sense political organization.
It will take no part in any political
movements. Its members as good citi-
zens will take lively personal interest
in all matters that pertain to the interest
of the State, but the Alliance will not be
entangled in any political combinations.
No doubt the influence of the Alliance
will be felt, but it will be- only as the
influence of the Masons, the various
churches, &C., is now felt. In any con-
test where Office is sought by an Alliance
man and Non.Alliance man, other
things being equal, there is not much
doubt that the members of the Alliance
will vote for the Alliance man. The
Alliance will take no action in the mat.
ter, and every member will be left free
to vote just as he sees fit; but fraternal
spirit will prompt many to vote for their
brother, whom they recognize as the
equal of his competitor in every respect.
THE RICH HELPING THE POOR.
DR.. d. G. Tillman, who is one of the
most prominent organizers in the Order,
is here prepared for work. He has been
at work for some time organizing sub
alliances, and has just succeeded III
forming county alliances in Marion and
Darlington, where he has enlisted the
support of the best farmers. He was
largely instrumental in organizing North
Carolina, and feels sure that the same
success will attend his efforts here that
did there. DR.. Tillman says that the
Alliance is not like the Grange in some
important and material respects. The
Alliance has no coercion of its members;
but its combinations are for mutual
benefit. The Alliance compels no mem
Der to go security for brother member.
1t helps the weak without placing the
strong in danger. By standing together
and trading at the same store, the rich
help the poor. The merchant is glad to
take the trade of the poor small farmer
in order to get the ine trade of the rich
planter. The trade of farmer who will
need 500 worth of supplies is small
matter, but when it becomes stepping
stone to the trade of dozen farmers who
will want $4,000 in supplies, it becomes
matter of some consequence. In that
way the rich help the poor without rum
ming any risk themselves.