The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-08-18
Report of Secretary-Treasurer
CYRUS THOMPSON.

Dear Brethren:
The year just closing has been q most
important one to the Alliance. While
our reports do not show an increase in
membership, yet the principles Of the
order have continued to grow through
out our State and Nation. The want
of money the failure to secur remu
nerative prices for the crops raised
in many parts of the State have had
their effect in not keeping the member
ship in good standing, Year after year
sees the farmers products depreciate
in value. How much longer this will
continue no one can tell.
The meeting at Gary n year ago
made it possible that the Alliance should
take a new lease of life"-that a grand
step for our betterment could be made.
The Alliance members everywhere were
anxious that something should be done
to give the members a more direct ben
eft. Our papers and members talked
shoe factory, and many placed funds
in the hands of your Secretary-Treas-
urer for the purpose Of building or
starting a factory of that kind. Mt
enough, however, has been receiyed for
the purpose as per plan organized by
last State meeting. We have received
for that purpose about So, 600,
The removal Of your Cfi ,es from the
city to the country is a grand stride for
agriculturalfreedom and the independ
ence of the Alliance organiz alton.
The establishment of these head
quarters with the ta1nery and shoe
factory by your executive committee
will, we believe, have more to do with
breaking down pre- ldice against the
order, and rebuilding it. than anything
that could have been done.
Every Alliance will be interested in
this property and work and will, with
out doubt, help sustain them and push
them forward.
1t is with you brethren to say wheth
er the Alliance shall go forward in this
grand stretch for freedom or not. IL
is with you to say whether or not the
Alliance shall 80 forward and your
place become the mightiesU co operative
manufacturing establishment in the
South. Let there be nc chickering's, no
strife, but let each eff ser and delegate
do his utmost to see how he can say
and do to make this beginning one grand
iaal success. Right here we wish to
say that a house divided against itself
cannot stand. Let there be no DIVISION
IN the Alliance work.
Since Dur removal here we have re-
ceived nothing less than the good will
Of the citiz 3ns in and out of the Ali
ance.
1t is due specially to Maj )r John ".
Graham, q brother Of our worthy trus
tee, and to Mr.. D. Nj. Parks, both of
Hilleboro, that we are owners of the
property here. They assisted your
Secretary in his search for a good lOca
ton, and your Executive Committee
when they came upon the grounds to
make the purchase. We do not believe
we could have selected a place where
your organic alton and it's off 3ers would
have been more kindly treated than
here.
We regret that more progress has not
been made in getting our insurance be-
fore our people. We have only one
active member, Bro J. NJ, Roberts, of
Cleveland county, who has done much
work for the National Aid. Several
agents have been appointed. but they
have not met with success.
! I think i5 we'll for our brothf RS to in
F.: vestigate thoroughly the plan before
! returning home, SO that each county
could get the information from its del
! egate.
l think the plan Of permitting mem.
beTs who are behind more than one
quarter to return By paying one quar-
ter's dues should Dc no longer permit,
ted. l believe 1t is q deJriment to the
strength Of tee order.
In conclusion let ne urge uDon the
members present TO 50 push our organ
Iza7'on and heenterprises started that
we may be able to establish at least one
ne" enterprise every year hereafter.
Ihe following are receipts and dis
o0rements for the year ending August
10, 1896:
Amt, On hand Aug II. -95 209 -
Amt. received, fees d les and