The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-11-09
WHAT HAS TRa ALLIANCE DONE
FOR THR FARMRRa


Mr. E. Spence, a vigorous and en-
tertaining writer, discusses the above
question in a logical and entertaining
way Ia the last Issue of the Chatham
Citizsn. WHAT the Alliance has done
for Chatham it has done for farmers of
all other counties. Consequently the
article will be read with equal interest
in all parts of the State.
Mr.. Spence writes as follows:
HAS the Alliance accomplished any
thing for the farmers9 We very often
hear it said by thoughtless people that
it has not. But the facts will convince
any candid mind to the contrary.
cit is true the Alliance has not been
successful in getting its demands into
law But that has been due to failure
of so many of it's members to stand as
unit for them. We have not sue
ceeded in raising the price of farm pro-
duce. But under the circumstances
how could we expect to. SO many of
our members were faint-hesrted and
gave up the fight before the real battle
was on.
"Bus under the most adverse circum.
sSareos ne have Accomplished some
thing. We have certainly succeeded
in reducing the margin of profits spec
lators were making upon US. Take the
price of cook stoves as an evidence.
Our Business Agency put the price
down to ten dollars. In only short
time the merchants were compelled to
meet our price. Here was and is a
saving of five to six dollars on every
stove. Take sewing machines. They
sold for from forty five to sixty dol
lars. Our Agency put the very best
quality to about twenty dollars. Now
you can buy the best machine for nine
teen to twenty five dollars. Take
guano as an instance. We were pay
ing thirty dollars ton. Our Agency
offered better article for $22. Now
we can buy any standard brand for
that. And while we have decreased
the price we have forced the manufac
turers to increase the value OF the
goods.
"NoW l notice our new Business
Agent proposes to make arrangement ts
for US to buy chemicals and mix our
own guano at a cost of about $15 or
less ton, and at the same time get a
better article than we have been pay
ing $22 for. Now here will be saving
of about one dollar on each sack we
buy. How much will that save to the
farmers of Chatham county, If they
are in position to take advantage of
it, Can any honest man then say the
Alliance has done the farmers no good.
Remember I have mentioned only a
few articles on which we kave been
saved hard earned dollars by our Busi-
ness Agency. Dozens more could have
been cited.
"But there is one more thing to
which desire to call attention. You
have read of the new cotton press trust
now 10 course of organization. What
will be the result of it no one knows
But we do know it intends to rob the
cotton formers of the South of millions
OF dollars. That's what it's here for.
If the cotton farmers were organized
they could stamp the very life out of
it in its infancy, as they did the Jute
Bagging trust. But divided and scat
tered as we now are, what can we dot
We shall be as straws in Whirlwind
before this vast aggregation of capitol.
Our only hope for deliverance is
through the Alliance, and that will be
be a vain hope unless we rally round
its banner. Brethren, let US close up
the ranks If you have let your ALI
ance die, revive it at once. If you have
quit attending its meetings, come back.
We need you, and you need US. Talk
this matter over with your neighbors.
Let US have revival"