The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1889-08-31
Alliance Stores.

The spasmodic organization OF
farmers in the South naturally leads
to efforts to better their trade con
ditious. Perhaps a large majority
Of persons joining the Organizations
of Wheels. Alliances, ETC., do SO to
escape from the present system OF
obtaining supplies for carrying on
their farms Of for household wants.
The Grange followed this course
with varying 1uccess--generaftyss
their plans unsatisfactory through
The more recent movement among
farmers has now taken up this sub
ject and quite q number of stores
are being operated.
The following plan is being
adopted:
l Let as many alliances as are
conveniently located for acting
together combine to raise a capital
stock of $1,000 to $4,000.
2 Let every member take some
share of stock, though it be but 81.
But allow no one member to take 81
much as would be a controlling share
of the whole stock.
3 When a sufficient capital has
been subscribed let the Alliances
concerned, OF their delegates, get
together and select from among
their best ard most level headed
men board Of managers or direc.
tors, consisting of not less than one
man from each Alliance repre-.
sented.
4 Let the whole general manage
ment Of the store be delegated to
this board of managers, who shall at
all times have access to the books
and papers, maintain constant
guardianship over the store, employ
a clerk and be the accountable
agents of the concern. The, shall
elect chairman who shall have
power at any time to call meeting
of board of Alliances represented.
They shall purchase goods, make
such contracts as majority Of the
board may approve, and attend to
the whole business management of
the store, Or they may delegate
these powers, or any Of them to their
clerk, or any responsible member Of
the Alliance.
S Let none but Alliance men have
any conection with the store, or be
employed III any way therein.
6 Let all the trustees, clerks and
others before entering upon the dis.
charge of their daties, subscribe to
before the business agent of tn.
county, or other responsible party
the following pledge: | do hereby
solemnly pledge aud declare it to be
my honest intention to discharge the
duties Of trustee or clerk in this
store, to the best of my ability in an
upright and impartial manner. and
with an eye solely to the interest Of
my employers and good of the
Alliance cause. So help me God.
I Let everything be conducted on
a strictly cash basis. Buy for cash
and sell for cash. Make no bills
either way.
8 Let the capital stock be divided
into shares of $40 cash, and each
share into halves, quarters and
tenths, and let each whole share be
entitled to one vote, and each
fractional share 10 its proportional
vote.
9 Let no member infringe upen
his capital stock, but let him. at his
option, sell or otherwise dispose ct
the same in any way not detrimental
to the Alliance cause.
IL Let the percentage of advance
on cost of goods be as low as may l."
consistent with safe financial basis,
say ten per cent, on cost OF goods
at the counter The object is not to
make money, but TO save money.
IL Let the store be as convenient
ly located to all the Alliances con.
cerned directly therein as may be
practicable. If possible, let tie
Alliance own their own store house.
Home Journal.