The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-10-15
TIE FARMERS Battle CRY.
Give US the Sub Treasury or Something
Better"

| Among the most unreasonable
things chat tiie enemies of tile people
arc guilty Of IS their opposition to the
Alliance sub treasury scheme Wheth-
er that plan is the ~e,Y, best way of
/ freeing the producers OF wealth in
this country from Spectator. and rob
bers and of getting more money aftat
in the channels Of business. is not the
main question ut issuc. But if the
plan is not the best, then why not?
WHO will show us better one? Gil
lionel Iivengstone, one of Georgia
new congressman, is perhaps the
ablest champion Of the plan. He
makes very broad anl fair PROPOSE
ton at all times to h;s opponents:
E"iive me the sub transsisy plan Or
something better"
This is fair. Surely, farmers who
have produced supplies for a whole
year, and some hundreds of millions
in the form Of cotton, grain. meats.
etc, for export. should not he expect
ed and compelled to dump the whole
amount into the hands of the consum-
cr at the moment of production. \
whole years supply cannot he eaten
or other wise consumed in Il single
month. The consumers have no
means of buying and holding a whole
years supply in advance of their ne
ccssities. Plainly. then, somebody
i-must hold the supplies til demanded
by consumption. Who 4i;s;i, " be?
The producers or the spectators? If
the producers holds the supplies and
place skcm on the market rs demand
i ed by 'rus,suuption, they will get
! better prices and consumers will. pay
less for better goods than if bought
of spectators. As matters are in
the west and south farmers and plant
ers are in Gcht and have neither the
financial ability nor the proper means
and facilities for strong products.
Here, then, is Il want, Il necessity
which must be supplied. In steps
the otlicious Spectator and offers his
: services. He is anxious to buy and
hold the products till consumption
also feels necessity. The peoples
necessities on either hand create his
golden opportunity. He buys on an
overloaded market, months in advance
of the expected demand. lie sells
in driblets ON hungry market clam
oring for supplies. He buys 80 per
cent too cheap, he sells 80 per cent
,I'too high. Ne becomes rich while
producers and consumers remain
poor.
; Now. the sub treasury plan is de
signed to break down this middle wall
of partition between producers and
consumers There is now a margin
Of 100 per cent between them. This
t they can divide by trading directly
to gather through their own agents.
Tne farmers believe TIL ir pa Of s'or-
age is feasible and practicable, and
! thee. enes,ies believe go to-. 'Icnce
. their rage art: opposition. Fit was u
, hair Drained, impracticablc sch me
+, the spectators would he only too
glad to see the people pursue the
false scent They would have moth
4 ing but praise for what they believed
h to he an impracticable scheme.
Oh. but it unconstitutional. Well,
we'll, we'll! The good old constitu-
+ ton is like Napoleon said Of Provi-
II dencc 1T is usually on the side of
the strongest battalion,'' Or the most
votes. 1t WAS once said that the con
= stitution would not permit interfer-
T. ence with slavery in the states. yet
;. when the time comes to do that or
worse. the constitution was willing.
They tell us that the government can
moi l2rr Idle storage for products. yet
/; government provides storage for gold
l. and silver mines. They tell us that
l. the government cannot loan money to
individuals. vet VIC find that the bank
ers and whisky men can be accom-
moda:cd with cheap loans and even
" grants loans. and the constitution Gees
II not seem to object So long as the
Il government can furnish warehouses
Il for gold and skier men, and can loar
r. money Oh bonds and whiskey to tho
tune of many millions per annum
either with Or without interest. let tbs
II howell against the sub treasury plan
of storing and holding products till
wanted Ivy CONSUMERS. he hurled hac!
q into the teeth Of the great and greedy
4 spectators. If the sub treasury pla,
~ is not the b'st pan to beat our enc
: mics and save ourselves, then show II!
> better tEe, that is the question nov
'r before the house.
e The sub treasury or something bet
|. ter.
4 watclIwar.. like th;s.cs the slogan
OF honest men, is not a bad battle
!, cry. HENRY WAHBERT.
e. What the farmers are cOntendn:
for is relief. They demand 1t. The.
intend to have it. What do thei
! old public servants who have cnjoye.
" position of honor and emolunent
IL for these man, years offer? Nothing
- They admit that relief is needed
~ They admit that the present financi;'
!. system is one Of the prolific cause
>" of the distress that prevailes and tn
~ control Of the courrency .ty corpor;
- tons is made the means by wlic|