The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-10
PLAN FOR RELIEF.
lREDELL Co,

1REDELL 20.
MR. EDITOR have been reading
and examining the various plans of
relief suggested in The PROGRESSIVE
FARMER for some time past, for the
benefit of members of the Alliance who
have been unfortunate, and who have
lost their property by fire or other
causes
We have also noticed the many ap-
peals for help published in your paper,
and also we have received cards from
various Alliances asking assistance for
their unfortunate members. We have
always responded most cheerfully
whenever appealed to. We believe,
however, that the present sy stem-Or
want of system-is very unsatisfactory
and expensive, as we'll as being uncer
tain. If a member has sustained loss
of property in value to the amount of
three or four hundred dollars, an appeal
is published in your paper to the vari
GUS Alliances throughout the State.
There are over 1900 of them. If each
Sub Alliance sent SO cents, the amount
the unfortunate member would receive
would be more than double the value
of the property he lost. He would re-
ceive 81 900 besides the expense of
postage and registering lette s, from
1000 Alliances, which would be, at IL
each, $240 more,
OF course it is not at all probable that
all of the Alliances would c,ntribute
every time an appeal is published in
your paper or made by sending postal
cards properly endorsed. But under
the presentmethOd and want of system
in helping unfortunate members, how
are the various Sub Alliances to know
how much rs been contributed by any
or all Of the various Alliances through
out the State? They have no means of
knowing; there never has been any
notice published as to whether the
amount asked for had been received
more or less. We therefore think that
a system of relief should be adopted
hat ~ )uld ha more certain and less
expensive, by which a large amount
could be saved in postage and register
ing letters.
1t has been suggested by Houston
vile Alliance, that a general assessment
could be made quarterly, to be remit
ted to the County Secretary with the
regular quarterly dues, and by him re-
mitted to State Agent, who should
be a bonded officer. The amount so
assessed to be in proportion to the
value of property each member lists
Should such system be adopted, it
would enable q prosperous member to
help according to his means a member
who wa unfOrtunate-a brother who
accidentally lost his property, but not
by any fault or neglect of his.
These suggestions are made with
view of having the matter discussed,
to the end that a sy-tem of relief will
be agreed upon and adopted that will
give relief to worthy members in actual
need, more GER sain and prompt with as
little expense for postage and mailing
as possible.
The relief plan should be considered
and discussed by Alliancemen as being
very important measure for their
consideration. 1t goes to the founda-
tion of fraternal brotherhood.
The matter should be discussed in
the Sub Alliances, and the delegates to
the county meeting could have it dis
cussed there. The County, Alliances
could instruct the delegates to the State
Alliance TO have that body discuss the
matter and to take definite action and
formulate a plan of relief that would
be just, prompt and more certain.
P. B. KENNEDY.