Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-12-20
PATRONS OF INDUSTRY"

Clio was called Tuesday morning to
take steps looking towards the organi-
cation of business Mems Protective
Association. Although the notice gu
ven was short there was a good attend
ance fifteen business houses being rep
resented. Temporary officers were
chosen and committees appointed to
draft constitution and bylaws and
make other arrangements preparatory
to a perfecting of the organization.
This action was deemed necessary
owing to the formation of lodges of
the Patrons of Industry throughout
the country, whose prime object is to
secure the purchase of all the necess-
aries of life at small percentage above
actual cost Their mode of procedure
is for committee to approach a bust
ness man and extend to him PROPOSE
ton to give him the entire trade of their
members in his line provided he charges
them but ten per cent advance Of the
cost of the goods laid down in his store.
| They give no time for a consideration
of their proposition but require an
answer at once accepting or rejecting.
Five business men were approached this
way on Monday, two of whom signed
such n contract upon the representa-
tions made by the committee. These
contracts however, they have since
surrendered.
The following is copy of the con-
tract and articles of agreement:
State of Michigan, county of Genesee,
township of Vienna, SIS.
This agreement made and entered in
to by and between ........of the said
township, county and state. party of
the first part, and the Order of the Pa
irons Of Industry, party of the second
part;
Witnesseth that the said party of the
first part, for and in consideration of
the covenants to be performed by the
party of the second part, hereby agree
to and with the said party of the second
part, as follows:
1st. 70 sell goods to members of said
Order at prices and upon conditions as
follows, namely; We will sell all lines
of goods now in our store or that may
hereafter be offered for sale in our store
at the following named prices for cash
or its equivalent. All lines of goods at
price of ten per cent i'll advance of
the cost Of said goods laid down in the
store, except sugars, which will be sold
as at present. And said first party fur
Their agrees to accept butter and eggs
as cash in exchange for goods. The
cost of said goods to be figured as per
invoice, freight bills and express
charges. To secure justice to all par
ties this contract is subject to amend
ment, which amendment, if any, to be
made before a committee of our Order
in action with our Order.
I'd. The said first party further
agrees to show the invoice of goods to
any member of said Order having the
proper credentials signed by the Presi-
dent, to be copied by said member if so
ordered by the President of the Asso-
citation. And that we will not sell
goods to persons not members of the
Order at the prices aforesaid.
And the party of the second part, the
Patrons of Industry, agree to and with
the party of the first part, to buy their
goods of him at all times, to patroniZe
said party of the first part exclusively
as near as may be lin their line of
goods and to protect said first party in
our Order, to assist said first party at
all times in our Order, by our efforts
and influence.
And said second party further agrees
not to make known to any person ne,
a member Of our Order the name OF
the first party nor the prices that we
pay.
And it is agreed by and between the
said parties, that all copies of invoices
contracts or other written articles
written with relation to said first party
in connection with our Order. shall be
returned to said party at time when
said first party may cease to transact
business for or with said Order.
And it is further agreed by and be-
tween said parties that this contract
shall be and remain In force and effect
for the term of one year from the date
hereof, to be renewed if desired by first
and second parties.
Witness our hands and seals this ..
day of .......A. d., 1885,.
1t must be admitted that the scheme
is a sharp one, and to those who are or.
ganiZing lodges or associations of the
Patrons of Industry" it is unquestion.
ably paying one. These organizers
have no more interest in the farmer
than they have in any other citizen
and their object is only a mercenary
one. But they find the farming com.
munity rs rule, easily persuaded and