The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-01-25

GkESnsY CrTY, Jan. l7.-Representativss
ofthe Fsrmers Alliance Of upper Union
County were In town to-day to confer with
the merchants about getting supplies for tho
coming year. Several Of the merchants
made propositions to them, but il was finally
settled that Messrs Carroll & Carpenter
supply the Alliance for that section for this
year. This simply means tho sale Of
quarter Of . million dollars worth Of goods;
as the section represented is one Of the best
agricultural sections in the State.
t-tYs find the above in the New, and Cou-
risr. We do not know thst the concentration
Of this large share Of the business Of this
coanty at Gsffney City will materially affect
this town, as the trade Of that section has
gone to spartsnburg, Gaffney, Clifton and
the country stores for some years. 1t will
se moro likely &c ipjure the country stores
10 that region than the merchants Of this
| town. The Messrs Carroll & Carpenter are
large Cotton buyers, aud it is probable that
the arrangement will be greatly beneficial
| to them in that respect, aud through it,
| no doubt they were able to make better terms
with the Alliance than other parties could.
At any rate it must be apparent that $780,
| 600 worth Of trade from one source, and
for farmers supple, alone, must be Of im-
| msnse advantage to oil branches Of business
in Gaffney City.
But we thiuk the estimate Is much too
high. The voting population Of the County
is about 1850, and IL all belonged to the
AGtspca the $3.50, 700 Would allow over
500 worth Of supplies to each member; but
as it Is net probable that more than half
the voters belong to that organization, and
that not moro than one fourth live in cup
Per Union County" it would allow about
$500 to each farmer for supplies alone.
There can be no doubt that any and every
merchant would be willing to sell the ALI
anee meu bors all the supplies they need, at
reduced prices, even on time, provided the
Alliance would insure prompt payments at
Il tho close Of the year, and secure tho mer-
chants against loss from bad debts Of its
individual members.
But few cen see or appreciate the losses,
risks and disadvantages the merchants in
our under our present business methods.
1t is estimated that 20 per cent of one
years credit business has to be carried over
to the next year, and about 10 per cent Of
the lien business 10 total loss. This, uu-
less the merchant is full handed, aud but
few ars, requires him to borrow msney at
| 10 and IL per cent for his next years busi-
4 ness, which of course must be provided for,
II 4.
/ Now, if the responsible members Of the
Alliance will secure the merchants against
these contingent drawbacks, it is very plain
tho merchants will be glad to get the Al
lance trade at greatly reduced r ricss.
wo say Irresponsible members" because,
in tho frat place, the Alliance is not a cor
porato body-caunot sue or DO sued-and
therefore cannot be legally held r..pcrs;-
BILE for tho individual debts OF its members;
so that individual security will be necessary
to secure the contracting merchant against
loss by irresponsible members Of the ALI
ance.
But the plan adopted by the Alliance, we
learn. 10, for each member to say what
4 amo}ats of supplies he will need. and =fsE
tho aggregate 10 made up to canvas the NOR
chants in tho vicinity and ask them to bid
for the trade of the whole. We are told, also
that if the merchant. bid is 50 much per
cent profit he Is required to submit his bills
| Of purchases to . committee Appointed by
the Alliance for inspection. This, however,
We think, must he a mistake, as no respon-
sible merchant would consent to such an
unheard.of espionage into his business af-
fairs; nor do we think the leading mem bers
Of the Alliance would ask, much les, de-
mand it.
There Is no doubt, however, that the mer-
chant who secures tho trade Of the Alliance
I is expected to look out for his own security
against bad debts, in the same way other
merchants do; but he is also expected to sell
cheaper and run more risks Of loss, from
the larger amount of trade he does.
On the other hand, the Alliance is GER
tainly doing the proper thing for it's mem
bsrs in combining their trade to secure bet
ter prices for supplies, and il is possible
that by these reduced prices the merchants
will have less to "oarry ever" and fewer
losses.
Ifproperly and judiciously managed, it
may work good both to tho farmers and TO
the merchants.
If the Alliance cannot secure the mer-
chants against loss through its individual
members, it san do the next best thing for
the credit and good name Of the ordsr-wesd
out those members who do not pay their
store accounts, or make honest efforts. to do
so.
All about Town.