The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-03-13
Progress of tue Alliance
Einlu lie Pee. DEC Iutier.

Progress of tue Alliance
From The Peel Indet.
The Alliance people in South Carolina
have now entered upon the second year
of educational and co operative effort on
the SO Ieral lines of Alliance work, 1888
was devoted to the work of organization
in 1889 the work of organization was
continued, and is now-Sth February,
1S9O-planted in every. county in the
State. The planting under the direction
of your executive committee has been
done at the minimum cost, and this
work will likely be very nearly complet
ed before your second annual meeting in
July next.
Our desperate condition, financially,
rendered our organization possible, and
to the bettermento of that condition our
greatest efforts have been put forth.
Last year the efforts at cooperative trade
was by Sub and County Alliances secur.
ing for themselves the best terms posi-
BILE. The results obtained, while more
or less satisfactory, were very unequal,
the saving effected being estimated at
from S to SO per cent on last years pur
chases, dependent largely or mainly on
the financial condition of the different
sections of the State, the larger saving
being only possible on the credit system
ofpurchasing; aud attention is especially
invited to this as showing how ruinous
has been that system, and as ruinous
morally as financially. Let us not blame
others solely because such condition of
things was ever possible, but let US like
true men assume our full share of the
responsibility. Reckless risks demanded
ruinous profits, but we now see our folly
in consenting or submitting to such con.
ditions 30 long. And now that ne have
organized to correct this and other
abuses, we must be careful, very careful,
about the character of our members.
We have taken in and must continue to
take in members who are, financially
bankrupt, if they have good moral char.
acter." This is right. We honor our
organization by the effort to lift them up
to improve their financial condition
but we cannot afford to carry them if they
should even seem to be careless about
their financial obligations. Should they
fail to practice that strict economy, or TO
exhibit that industry and constant ap'
plication to business so necessary to sue
cess we must expel them. To retain
them would be wrong 10 all who are bat.
tling for the manhood aud independence
Of the flaming and industrial classes.
The financial depression caused by q
partial failure of the crops last year is
trying ordeal to our young organization
in some sections Of the State, which is a
matter of deep concern to those fortu
nate elsewhere, but their activity and
forwardness in preparing for another
crop prove their indomitable pluck; in
some places last year the crops we're less
than half the average. In such places
depression like Egyptian darkness mnst
be felt. Just how such conditions are to
be met and overcome is problem diff
cult of solution, but it will best be done
by our people standing together united
brotherhood. The efforts at increased
industry and closer economy lessen the
danger from such crop failures; but for
The practice of such economy and indus
try last year, the depression growing out
of the crop failure would have been more
extended and trying than it now is. In
proof of this, it may safely be. claimed
that the South Carolina farmers, taking
the average of The whole State, commence
the year 1890 in better financial condition
than they did the year 1889; notwith
standing the short crop, the shortnes+
of which more than Offset the
higher prices at which it was sold.
a larger percentage of the supplies
bought fQr Alliance farmers in
1896 will Be bought for cash than has
been so bought any previous year by
these same farmers. should not deem
it necessary to remind these cash buyers
that they now have State Business Ex-
change which they can use in the pur-
chase of supplies and sale of farm pro.
ducts, but for The fact that they have
been doing this very same business
through agents of their local organiza-
tions so successfully before the exchange
was established. Your business agent
can be, must be-, the largest cash par
chaser in the State, and should be and,
with your patronage, would be able to
purchase more cheaply than any other.
It's your agency, and will be what you
make it.
But have possibly said as much as I
should now on the financial outlook.
The educational work of the Alliance is
probably more advanced along the fnan.
cial line than any other The methods
of learning along this line are eminently
practical. l intended to extend this
letter to convey some thoughts on politi-
cal economy, and our organs, State and
national, but / find it will makei this
article too long, so I must defer any
attempt in that direction at this time.
My recent visit to the different sections,
of the State suggested the propriety Of
what.I have written as @ell as what l
propose writing in the near future, as |
may have opportunity. I gratefully
acknowledge my indebtedness for per,
sonal kindness while on this tour, aod
my unqualified admiration for the devo.
tion of our people to the principles Of
our order. E. T. STACKHoUsE.