The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-02-21
THE STRIKE AT LIBERTY.

An another column will be found
editorials relating to the attempt to re-
peal the act Incorporating the State
Alliance Business Agency. These were
written on Friday. The matter has
been postponed until Tuesday (the day
we go to press)
It is needless to say that if the legis-
Iature carries out their scheme, it
would cause much trouble and embar-
rassment at this time, though it would
only be temporary. The main cause
for this attempt is that the enemies of
the Alliance see that the Order is re
covering from the efforts to break 1t
up, and that The State Business Agency
is doing better and better eUery 1Ceek.
The bill was rushed through the
House in q reckless manner and is yet
before the Senate.
Owing to the trouble it would cause
at this time, President Butler, Major
! Graham, Bro. Mewb0rne, Of the Exccu-
| tive Committee. and s me of the real
members OF the Alliance in both Houses,
have been actively al work, aided by
attorneys
1t is 2 losing game for both sides. If
passed, it viii temporarily injure the
Alliance. On the other hand, if passed,
it will foreUer injure the Democratic
party, it being in majority in both
Houses. Many OF IA farmers have
been Ioth to believe that the Demo
cratic party is unfriendly to the wei
! fare Of the farmers in an organized
capacity. II this act is passed, all
doubt will be removed. 1t will be
looked upon as a cowardly and unwar-
ranted Interference with a legitimate
business. 1t will arouse the "spirit of
Of I7TG." It will the farmers as
a body to realize what we have been
telling them, that the politicians Of
North Carolina are their enemies. 1t
will make the Alliance stronger than
it has ever been in this State, in fact
everywhere. Owing TO this fact, the
leaders Of the organization are
disposed to look upon the matter
more complacently. They will do
their best TO avoid the clash, but if it
must come, there Will be much good
among SO much evil. The Business
Agency will not be stopped. 1t will d.
five times as much business in the
future. There is no general desire to
get the funds returned. Most Of the
money was contributed by the Ali
ancemen who mean business. They
are true members yet and don't want
the funds returned. There are a few
kickers, Of curse. For instance, J. S.
Bell and others, 1Uho ueue~ contributed
anything
We simply say that this is the black
est conspiracy ever witnessed in North
Carolina If there are enough clear
heads in the Senate, it will be killed if
nos, then we will have the satisfaction
of knowing chat the people Of North
Carolina Will get an eye opener that
will result in everlasting good to the
State. The members in the House who
rushed the ball through inside of ten
minutes doubtless will ragret it when
they calmly consider the matter.
There is point the members seem
to have overlooked The Business
Agency fund was contributed volun
tarily by members of the Alliance, for
the benefit Of tho organization with
the special stipulation that it was not
to be returned uhLe88 the Alliance
ceased to eriSt, but was to be a perpet-
ual fund for the purposes stated.
Again, the fund was made up by less
than one-third of the Sub Alliances
and about one-fourth Of the individ,
ual membership. Hence to repeal the
charter, is to repeal the char, er of two
thirds of the Alliances, and they had
nothing to do 1Uith making 1t up. Re
peal it if you will, but we will not be
the only losers.
Tr