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

x1o 4t40o ~ the Autance.
GARSNsY Crrr, Jan. 17.-Representativss
Of the Farmsrs Alliance Of upper Union
County we're In town to-day to confer with
The merchants about getting supplies for the
coming year. Several Of the merchants
mAds Propositions to them, but il was finally
settled that Messrs Carroll & Carpenter
supply the Alliance for that section for this
ysar. This simply means tho sole Of q
quarter Of million dollars worth of goods;
- the section represented is one Of the best
agricultural sectious in the State.
I've md the above in ahe Neos and Cou-
fisr. We do not know that the concentration
Of this large share Of the business Of this
county at Gsffney City will materially affect
this town. as the trade Of that section has
gone to spartanburg, Gaffney, Clifton and
:hs country stores for some years. 1t will
be more likely to ipjure tho country stores
in 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 supplies alone, must be Of i'm
msnse advantage to oil branches Of business
in Gaffnsy City.
But we thiuk ihe estimate Is much too
high. The voting population Of the County
is about 2, $50, and IL all belonged to the
Alsspea the $3.50, 900. would allow over
$l00 worth Of supplies to each member; but
as It 10 not probable that more than half
the voters belong to that Organization, and
that not moro than one fourth live in "rp-
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 tho ALI
ance members oil the supplies they need, At
reduced prices, even on time. provided the
Alliance would insure prompt payments at
the close of the year, and secure tho mer-
chants against loss from bad debts of its
individual members.
But few can see or appreciate the losses,
risks and disadvantages the merchants in
our under our present business methods.
II 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-
fsss the merchant is full handed, and but
few ars, requires him I, borrow msnsy at
10 and II per cent for his next years busi-
ness, which ofoourse must be provided for,
or he will inevitably Ego under"
Now, If the responsible members Of the
Alliance will secure tho merchants against
these contingent drawbacks, it is very plain
the merchants will be glad to get the AL.
lance trade at greatly reduced r ricss.
wo say Irresponsible MEMBERS" because,
in the first place, tho Alliance is not a cor
porate body-caunet sue or DO sued-snd
therefore oanust be legally held RESPONSE
BILE for tho individual debts Of its members;
90 that individual security will be necessary
! to secure tho contracting merchant against
loss BY irrssponsibls members Of the ALI
ance.
But the plan adopted by the Alliance, ws
learn. is, for each member to say what
sas-ofsuppliss he will need, and aftsl
/ the aggregate 10 made up to canvas the msr.
chants in the vicinity and ask them to bid
for. the trade of the whole. We are told, also
that If the merchants bid is 80 much per
cent profit he 10 required to submit his bills
Of purchases to committee appionted by
the Alliance for inspection. This, however,
We think, must he . mistake, a. no respon.
sibls merchant would consent to such On
unAeard-of espionage into his business af-
fairs; nor do We think the leading mon bers
Of the Alliance would ask, mlch less do.
l mand Il.
There is no doubt, however, that the mer.
chant wAo secures the 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 sci
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 it is possible
that BY these reduced prices the merchant,
will have less to 'oarry ever" aud fewer
l losses.
Ifproperly and judiciously managed, Il
| may work good both to tho farmers and Il
l the merchants.
Ifthe Alliance cannot secure the mer
chants against less through its individual
members, ii san do the next best thing for
the credit and good name Of the ordsr-west
out those members who do not pay their
store accounts, or make honest effort, to d,
so.