The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-09-25
THE TROUBLESOME QUESTION.

prlHclple nVOlVeu. LINUS spoke at
our recent Alliance meeting one Of
our most intelligent farmers in voting
to adopt the resolutions of the Edge.
combe County Alliance to purchase
no jute bagging whatever. The vote
on this resolution vas unanimous in
the Edgecombe County Alliance. the
agreement to accept and abide by the
resolution was entered into by every
member of the Subordinate Alliance
to which the writer belongs. When
this resolution was voted upon, few if
any knew whether a wrapping of cot
ton cloth recommended in the resolu-
tons as a substitute would cost more
or less per bale than bagging. Aa4
will agree to adopt a resolution, if it.
necessitates an additional cost of a.
dollar a bale said a farmer in my
hearing, and the "SoeFwill l." from
several present was not a formal
ac~quiescence, but there was a quiet
earnestness of voice that bespoke the
full meaning of their words.
Any less positive action than this
unconditional resolution to- buy no.
bagging, would be virtually in resist
ance to the demands of the trust. A
decision to buy none at present prices
would be Intellectual, for this would
leave all individuals in state of un-
certainty. Two alternatives based on
the price of bagging, are by such, a
loose determination presented. There
would consequently be, as a rule, no
such active measures taken to have q
substitute provided, as if the decision
were positive to purchase one under
any consideration. =
In effect it would be saying, eve
will wait until ready to pack cotton,
and if possible then get q cheaper sub
~stitute." Then they might not find
on market a sufficient quantity of any
substitute, and would be forced. to-
take bagging. 90 sa.as4 e@2e4%
AT the present price of bagging, if
the amount received for bagging on
the bale be disregarded, the six-ounce
jeans which many of our farmers have
arranged to get, will cost less per.
quantity necessary to wrap a bale than
bagging. Yet, as stated above, our
Alliance entered into this regardless.
of any view of the cost. And consist
emily with the true aims and objects
of the Alliance, in wise consideration
of their own ultimate advantage, in
regard, l may say to their-duty as true
men, they could do nothing less than
to adopt whatever legitimate means
are in their power to- break down this
combination, bearing so exclusively in
its exactions upon them. This is by
no means the greatest or most power
full OF the numerous trusts that Of late
years have sprung up-parasitical
growths feeding on the countrys |
prosperity, demanding taxes from
.unorganized industries, if not by direct
mandate, al arbitrarily in effect, as
ever in former times the kings of
England demanded taxes of their
subjects. They destroy competition,
that great economic condition neces-
sary to a peoples welfare. There is
little or no prospect of their being
checked at early date by any remedial
legislation of the government. How
far this might be done by any direct
~prohibitory laws, would involve an
ethical consideration of Individual
rights, which, though easily decided
In the minds of those who have been
the sufferers, might at least delay a
nov in this direction until the ex-
tremest necessity forced it. How far
a reform of the laws which they have
been fostered and encouraged, would
check them remains to be seen. With
their present accumulation of wealth,
it seems to me they could be but
slightly checked by laws that would
affect them but indirectly. But the
farmers in the case before us have a
very e~ffectual means of demolishing
this bagging trust. 1t may be de-
that the condition of affairs
is such that one interest has to antag.
onize another. But they have thrust
it upon us, and a successful resistance
to this will give Us more power to re-
sist all arbitrary combinations in the
For as one successful act in
spires confidence, farmers will in Che
enter more readily into any
plans regarding their interests. The
lack of this readiness to combine on
any one act Or measure, has ever been
stumbling-block to vigorous and
successful organization among farm
ers, and until overcome will ever be a
preventive to the true aims Of union,
and destructive to, any benefit to be
derived thereby. saas |