The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-08-23

rected to the formulation OF some
plan where the subdivisions of a
grand organization should be inde-
pendent one OF another, but should
have in view the facility of uniting
their efforts for making effective any
, great move or object. This being
the plan. should any OF the subdivi-
sionS lapse or dsband from any
cause whatever. it would not Of ne
cessity disturb any of the others. 1t
. has been the case with all Samiliar
organizations heretofore inaugurated,
that they have been great unwieldy
independent bodies, in which, if any
thing went wrong with one depart
ment. it disturbed the whole body.
This was the case with the Farmers
Alliance. 1t unfortunately Inaugural
ted business methods which antago-
nlzed other interests. not Intentional
ly but incidentally.
Any organization of farmers should
be defensive. not aggressive. All
they need or should desire is defense
In all their efforts at organized de-
tense they have been successful. The
Farmers Alliance Exchange failed,
but it may be denominated an aggres-
sive measure-a gross invasion of the
domains of merchandise. Doubtless
all the means and forces brought to
bear against this creature of the AL
lance, or their extent, have never
been known or fully understood. The
political efforts of the Alliance were
equally unsuccessful and unfortunate.
The demanding partial and impracti
cable measures from government lost
for the Alliance that consideration
and respect which was its due, and
which was necessary for its success.
1t is true some in the Alliance FORE
saw these results but they were turn
ed down in storm.
These failures of the grand organ
ization, held up to the farmers as its
host hopeful features, wrought its
ruin. "Out Of its wreck we may
find way to rise ir.'' And that way,
l think. is the one briefly outlined.
This plan is unlike any yet tried and
eliminates most. if not all, the objec-
tionable features of those which have
preceded it. This is exemplihed in
small way. by a faithful little band
of workers in the lower section Of
this county. The members medIle
with no affairs other than their own.
They do not ask that any one should
join them. An initiation fee of
twenty-five cents and dues of ten
cents per month are required of men,
bers. There are no paid officials.
The organization is nearly or quite
three years old. In their treasury
they have about $4,000. This money
belongs to the individual members
who paid it, and in exact proportion,
for when a member desires to with
draw. from any cause whatever, what
he has paid into the treasury since
he has been member is paid back
to him. If they choose to disband.
there is no loss to anybody. Every
thing is paid back where it justly be-
longs. While these people do not
solicit members they would be glad
to see this influence extended, and
are willing if there is desire on the
part of any to organize similar ef-
forts at other points, to assist them
all they can. Any one feeling suf-
hcient interest in the matter to de-
sire further information can easily
obtain it by inqriring. If this en-
deavor fails it must die reputable
death: it cannot die bankrupt. They
do not object to respectable home
made politics. but when member
enters a business meeting he must
put his politics in his hat until he is
ready to go home.
Slighs.