The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-31
RIDGE ROAD AND cASNoN's CREEK

went to Orangeburg last week.
Mr.. J. K. Epps, who cut his leg with
an axe on the 1st instant, is able to
walk again.
The school is fourishing with an
average attendance of 25 scholars.
The health Of the community is
good, with the exception ola few colds.
School Commissioner kibler visited
the schools in No. 10 a few weeks ago.
We learn that No. 10 will get out very
little ''public pap" this year. Well, a
little pap beats no pap at all. My
opinion is that if the public school sys-
tenn were abolished, we would have
fewer schools, but better ones, and es-
pecially less confusion about the funds.
Rev. J. 4. Sligh and bride returned
from Florida on Friday last. He filled
his appoint at Ridge Road church
on Sunday afternoon, preaching from
l Thes. ): 25. The sermon was an in
teresting one.
THE FARMERS ALLIANCE
still continues to increase ia member
ship all over the county, and the farm
ers are taking warmer interest in the
movement. I believe that the Alli-
ance has come to stay, and that it will
prove beneficial il improving the farm
ers' condition Intellectually, morally,
socially aud financially. The Alliance
did not come in a blast. The farmers
are not going into it through excite
ment, but very deliberately. When
ever you see an organization rise up
through heat of excitement, it is one
of the best signs that it will soon die.
The Alliance does not intend to make
any unreasonable or unwarranted de-
mands upon anybody, either as buyer.
or seller, but processes to be moderate
and conservative in all Of its transac-
tions.
This is the third time the farmers
have tried to organize. About four
teen or fifteen years ago, the Grange
was introduced into this part Of the
Stale, as the very tbing to lead the old
farmers out of tbe wilderness. And
when it came, it came in storm Of en-
thusiasm, and The farmers ali fiocked
to it like a crowd Of negroes to band
Of music. But they allowed certain
set of men come in and make sugges-
tions what they should do. and how
they should do it, and they in a short
while made their purposes plain by
gobbling up all the money that they
could get their hands on and leaving
the farmers with the bag to hold-and
it was empty! The Grange was as
good an Organization as ever introduced
into the State-outsideo ofthe Church.
but it was idden to death, and it was
doneinside Of its own ranks.
Then the next effort to organize the
farmers was introduced by Capt. B. R.
Tillman about three years ago. The
requisite for membership in local clubs
in the county was that no one could
come in who did not superintend, con-
troll or manage farm. But in come
lawyers, doctors, preachers and poll
ticians, claiming the right of member
ship simply because they had a piece
of land somewhere and an old black
man on it raising grass. The farmers
knew then that these classes We're not
entitled to membership. But they
were too good-natured 10 say anything
for fear they would hurt somebody's
feelings and make themselves unpopu-
lar. They know that their righ,s have
been ignored. but the farmers iake TO it
so grace: ally thattbe poIi;icia IS ale en-
couraged to ignore them, so away went
the Farmers Club. 1t is forever dead,
and the politicians are welcome TO all
they have gotten out it.
Now let the farmers stick to the Al
lance. 1t is composed solely of farm
ers, and those n,e"ested thereto who
axe not spectators, merchants, law
yers, or city physicians, or following a
profession in cities or towns. The
| meetings are held with closed doors
and the discussions are secret as in any
other seclet society. The object Of the
Alliance is for the benefit of the farme:
and is not to pull down or destroy any
other calling or profession. But it is
the Intention of the Alliance 10 use
every legitimate means to owe. throw
anything and defeat any measure that
builds Itself up or accumulates 1ortuocs
at tbe expense of the farmer.
1t has been already said among the
me' chants that it is no use for The
farmers to l'y to pluck out the middle,
man for they can't do it. But all The
1ai mers nave 20 DO is 10 hang together
through thick and thin, and if we don't
get The miGdle-man we will not legarG
trusts, combines or lings as legitimate
The Farmers Alliance is a nationa
movement.
The Cannon's Greek Alliance is in {
prosperous condition. The member
ship now numbers, Including the ap
plicants, between forty and fifty-com
posing the vely best farmers of this sec
ton. I. J. w.
| The Prudent Farmer
Turns the soil at the right seasons
| And he is Stirl more nrlldent and senSi