The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-01-16

The Patrons Guide calls The TINES to
account for questioning the success of the
Commercial Union. The TINES has ques-
toned the scheme for the reason that the
Patrons Association is waning. In many
places the charter which adorns the walls Is
evidence merely of the high price that was
paid for Supreme President Vertican's sig
nature AMI the autograph of l. II. Wads-
worth to very ordinary document. The
associations have disbanded. The charter
alone remains. The money that was taken
out of this and other counties for charters,
dues and for the support of papers that can
not be self supporting, is not considered suf-
ficient, and now the dose is to be repeated
In the form of subscriptions to the CONNER
cial Union: The officers of the Association
are aware that the old organization has lost
its power, and the talk Of increased growth
is merely whistling to keep uD their courage.
The Commercial Union Is what might be
called an ATTRACTION" something entirely
new, and never before presented to the pub
lie, and President Partridge vOciferates do
not go to THE Alliance but stay? Behold
the Commercial Uuion, tickets for one dol
lar. Consider the scheme as outlined by the
Patrons Guide:
THE PLAN,
A Joint stock company is incorporated UNI
der the state laws with capital limited to
500, 600, the stock to be issued in shares of
81 each. Any patron of industry in good
standing can subscribe to one and not more
than ten shares of stock by paying its par
yaftIe or one dollar per share. The capital
stock of the company thus incorporated
shall he placed on interest at the best ad-
vantage possible, the interest alone being
accessible for the expenses of the Union.
l. IL tI.arf.
will be an assessment of cents per quarter
10 be used for the expenses of the Union in
transacting the business of the UuiOn-the
original investment remaining intact. This
expense assessment OF 90 cents year and
the interest on the original capital would be
amply adequate to conduct the business of
the Union and often leave surplus which
could be related to the stock holders by cut
ting down the expense assessments.
The dollar that is necessary in order to
secure these benefits Is the first cOnsidera-
ton. The capital stock Is to be loaned and
the interest devoted to the expenses of the
commission and il this is not sufficient an
assessment is to be made on the stOck-hold
ers. $1O0,000 is to be tied up out of reach
of the stockholders is the first preliminary.
An assessment is the second step and all thif
10 be done i'm order that a body of men shall
make contracts between producer and con-
sumer.
The TIMES would not question the hon
esty of this movement If the Patrons AssO-
citation would designate one or more men,
bers at a salary and expenses paid, to con-
tract and manage in the way planned and
the expense thus incurred be met by dues
from the subordinate lodges. It's the $780,
900 that it is proposed to raise which is con-
trary to all business principles. No sensi-
BILE man starting in business would lay aside
his capital stock and depend on the interest
TO pay his running expenses. Whoever
b0rr0ws this money Of the Patrons manage
ment violates the rule that the Patrons have
laid down. Why might not this money be
loaned back to the stockholders and they
pay interest OH the loan and thus meet the
expenses of the Union. Would not stock
holders be the best of persons to make
loans? Then the whole stock subscriptions
and loan operation might be dispensed with
and the expenses met as pointed out above.
The Commercial Union as planned is a
snare and delusion and he who is deceived
in subscribing to any stock thereto is not
wise.