The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-10-12
Alliance Stores.

The spasmodic organization of farm
ers in the South naturally leads to ef-
forts to better their trade conditions.
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 or for
household wants.
The Grange followed this course with
varying success-generally their plans
unsatisfactory though. The more re-
cent movement among farmers has now
taken up this subject and quite num-
Der of stores are being operated.
The following plan is being adopted:
l. Let as many alliances as are con-
veniently located for acting together
combine to raise a capital stock of
81. 600 to 1000.
2. Let every member take some
share of stock, though it be but 81.
But allow no one member to take so
much as would be controlling share
of the whole stock.
8. When a sufficient capital has been
subscribed let the Alliances concerned,
or their delegates, get together and
select from among their best and most
level-headei men board of managers
or directors. consisting of not less than
one man from each Alliance repre-
sented.
A. 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 pa
pers, main constant guardian
ship over the store, employ a clerk
and be the accountable agents Of
the concern. They shall elect a
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 ap-
prove, and attend to the whole bust
ness management of the store, or they
may delegate these powers, or any Of
them, to their clerk, or any responsible
member of the Alliance.
5. Let none but Alliance men have
any connection with the store. or be
employed in any way therein.
g. Let all the trustees, clerks and
others before entering upon the dis
charge of their duties, subscribe to
before the business agent of the
county, or other responsible party,
the following pledge: 1 do hereby
solemnly pledge and 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.
Z. Let every thing 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 to its
proportional vote.
9. Let no member infringe upon his
capital stock. but let him, at his option.
sell or otherwise dispose of the same
in any way not detrimental to the Alli-
ance cause.
10. Let none but necessary farmers
supplies be kept in the store. Eschew
notions.
IL. Let the percentage of advance
on cost OF goods be as low as may be
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 conveniently
located to all the Alliances concerned
directly therein as may be practicable
If possible. let the Alliance own their
own store-house. y Farmers Home
Journal.